… resist listening to this song again & again! Sighhh! Music does this – leaves you spellbound & speechless. At times I wonder, how can someone else pen the lyrics that’s so close to the mighty heart? 
Category Archives: Personal Fave
Monsoon coming soon???
Today morning as I woke up, I looked outside my window just to peek if the weather was cloudy. It was a bright sunny morning again & I was not too delighted looking at it, as I knew it would bring along a lot of heat, sweat & grime. But, to my surprise as the day proceeded there were thick grey clouds; slowly covering up the sparkling blue sky. My happiness knew no bounds. Childlike, I gazed at the hovering clouds that promised a heavy downpour. Just when I rushed out, I felt…those fat droplets on my hands, I looked up…then it poured on my face and then it rained …and rained hard. Ah!!! The smell was intoxicating, as the parched earth exuded after getting soaked in the magical rainfall. I sense the monsoon is around. Somehow, it’s in the air. The damp, moist feel which prompts its arrival. Trees & roads are all washed and they shine clear.
I love these monsoon times; when those dark grey clouds dance madly just to break open, listening to the rhythm of those pearly rain drops as they fall, getting soaked in every drop, splashing into muddy puddles; making paper boats and floating them (It brings back those childhood memories now), those violent thunderous stormy evenings followed by a silent-calm breezy night. Monsoon times around & my craving for generous servings of tea and hot fritters begin whilst enjoying the rain outside at the veranda.
These are times …that one must feel & enjoy! Just surrender yourself to the monsoon this season & have lots of fun & frolic! 
Deliciously I reminisce…
Now, this tag I could not have missed it … I love food & moreover love cooking if it’s for my loved ones including family and friends. I derive immense pleasure out of it especially seeing the delight on their faces after having a nice meal. There are plenty of such moments I fondly cherish, let me try and share a few with you all which is close to my heart:
- Somehow, I don’t know if it has happened to others, but with me it has happened several times. There are days when I have a severe craving to have my mom’s particular dish, and even before I tell her, I find that cooked the same day. It’s really uncanny to me….. :D but surely proves to be true that mum’s can read your mind. And, I end up embracing her with a smile.
- Sundays used to be special at home as my dad would take up cooking and all of us longed to sit together and have our afternoon meals. He was an excellent cook.
- Food memoirs and not mentioning canteen fun is not happening at all. During college times, friends and I used to visit the canteen to devour the samosas served with hot sambar (weird combo…I know) but trust me it used to be yummmm :D ! Up north anyway there’s a fetish for sambar, so we’d frequent it like crazy. For one plate of samosa we used to get unlimited sambar… so instead of ordering many plates, we used to order one plate of samosa and several servings of sambar. The canteen wala got so fed up that after a few days he changed the rule…..”Samosas served with one bowl of sambar ONLY”
- During the same college days, I remember when my best friend and I rushed to her place once after a long tiring day at college. Aunty was not there and Uncle could find nothing else to feed our empty stomachs but a fresh bottle gourd. He quickly made a curry out of it and served us with piping hot rotis. We devoured it to our heart’s content and can’t express how delicious it had turned out to be…
- I know am not a spoilt child, though love to behave like one :D when it comes to Mom still running behind me with food so that I have a morsel or two at least; while rushing to work during the crazy morning hours and listening to her grumbles…that I wake up late and do all this drama
Thanks to Puja . It was wonderful reviving some old memories.
Fall Morning
“As I look out of my bedroom window at another Fall (autumn) morning.
Sun is shining but the air quite chilly and trees so bare…
All there is left on them are the empty nests of the birds that once lived there,
they have seeked refuge on green pastures with warm air somewhere south,
the fallen leaves which have lost their green color have turned into yellow and orange,
Around the tree that once they flourished on, ending one cycle of life to begin another.”
How does it feel, when early morning you stir up to find a sweet little email sent to you by a dear friend? Yes, I feel the same …lucky and highly elated. It becomes all the more special when it’s penned down keeping you in mind
(J) Thank you very much for the above few lines, it made my day reading them! Even if it was an attempt, IT’S BEAUTIFUL…so true, inspiring and straight from the heart.
Rose
How exotic it looks, how divine it smells,
the beautiful rose & its intoxicating spells!
When coated with dew, it’s fresh & pearly;
as it blossoms its fragrance spreads!!
Hyderabad’s Heritage
Dusk at Mecca Masjid
Mecca Masjid
Charminar – The four minarets!
I adore monuments, mosques, ancient primitive temples, forts etc …Somehow I find them immensely soothing & soul-stirring!!! I would surely not mind spending endless time there simply gazing at the intricate structured piece of art. Truly they are priceless!!
Mission Accomplished!
I feel so contented to finish three books over this weekend but with a heavy heart as it was a bit gloomy to read,
”In the valley of mist”, by Justine Hardy who takes you through the evanescence in the picturesque Kashmir Valley; ever since it has become a warzone. I find it really upsetting to see how the normalcy of common beings there in Kashmir has disintegrated due to political and religious animosity!
”Smell” by Radhika Jha
”Moving On” by Shashi Deshpande.
Well, firstly I would like to thank Puja for sharing ”Smell” & “Moving On” with me and helping me build my library and secondly I would say the books were a good read indeed. They were not out of the world or extraordinary but all I feel now is that I got introduced to a few new characters in the journey of my life: Leela Patel, the protagonist of Smell and Manjari from Moving On. It was wel written and the characters certainly seemed to be real and believable!
My next read is going to be a very light one consciously, a fairy tale book “The Folk of the Faraway Tree” by Enid Blyton!
And it bloomed!
(Terrace Shot)
The beams in a very subtle way touched the edges, leaves and petals in the crisp morning. It was pleasantly soothing to see it bloom & sway as the stream of air tickled throughout!!!
Bangalore-Mysore Trip
Dancing lights at Brindavan gardens.
The weather added the special spark…the dancing clouds and greenery around…surely uplifted my mood..!
The coolest pic of the whole trip I simply loved the Giaffe..it stood tall and carefree…! More pics comin up….!!
This BMW…
…does not belong to me
Well, me & my friends… a few days ago…dropped in at Barista, which is right next to this BMW showroom. While we were gaping at it, the lady at the store very generously asked us to check it out from inside, and with her permission we took the pic, since in this life-time at least I can not afford it so thought the pic shall replace the desire!
Tenderly it falls…
I carried this all the way from Blr, and am trying to nurture this with utmost love ‘n care….
Taramati…The legend of an artist
During the practice sesions…!
…The Baradari(Monument) where we had our show!
Shailaja – “chal wahi chhand suna de jo tune Quli Qutb Shah ke shahyari pe joda hai….mana tujhe sultanon mein koi dilchaspi nahi hai, lekin Quli-bhaagmati ke ishq se to ishq hai hi…hai na????”
Must be wondering what is the dialogue all about??? Well, yes it was an excerpt from Taramati-The Legend’s script. It’s a play that was enacted at Taramati Baradari, in Hyderabad on 5th & 6th feb by APTDC….further I played the character of Shailaja, a close confidante` of Taramati, the courtesan of Sultan Abdullah’s era. It was an exhilarating experience. First time on stage, the rehearsals, meeting eminent theater & dance personalities was absolutely fantastic. To add further the adulation on performing well was beyond my belief. People coming up from the audience and saying things like, “first time on stage, yet did a wonderful job” was extremely motivating. It was a major success, especially the reviews were great and all the artistes were appreciated for their work.
I do miss rehearsing with Rashmi Seth, Arif Zakaria, Madhu Swaminathan, Alekhya P….now that the show is over. …and also the fun times that we shared together during the Tea-Breaks.
Want to adopt a child?
Dasvidania…Good bye…
With films like Bheja Fry, Mithya and Dasvidania…Bollywood has emerged with a different genre of film-making…and it is a treat indeed. A simple story line with brilliant characters and performances delivered. There are certain neat comic scenes in the film with strong punch lines… which certainly deserves a strong appreciation.
“Life’s too unpredictable”…and one should do all those things that he/she desires to do in a lifetime…make a “Things to Do” list if you can…make them a part of your ambition and achieve them
Tur Gayo Sajna Neendran Kho Ke Jaag Ke Katiyan Rataan
Jaania… Haania… Jaania Haania Tu Vi Sikh Ke De Dukh Sukh Pholna
Tere Bin Nahi Lagda Dil Mera Dholna
Puchh kaale baddlan to Seene Vich Ag Lage Lang Gaya Kayee Barsatan
Tur Gayo Sajna Neendran Kho Ke Jaag Ke Katiyan Rataan
Avija Na Sata Wasta Pyaar da ye ruttan Sohniya Murr Nai Aaniya
Tere bin nai lagda dil mera…
Jaane Khuda Meharbaan Tere Siva
Kon Mera Kadi Na Howi Juda Chori Na(Tori Na) Saath Mera
Dil Tenu Day Bethi Khabre To Aisay Nai Karna Ey Beparwaiyaan
Keetay Waday Qasmaan Tenu Yaad Kadi Nai Aayan
Ey Gila Pyaar Da Khol aake suna pyiase naina te Ker Mehrbaniyan
Tere Bin, Tere Bin Nahi Lagda Dil Mera Dholna
Tere Bin Nahi Lagda Dil Mera Dholna
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=JI-zSsFxSyA&feature=related
Sanu ik pal chain na aawe sajna tere bina…..http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=QBWu5j-n34c&feature=related
A stolen idea…
The book reading idea on a hammock amidst lush scenic beauty…while clouds are floating and promising heavy shower ahead…and not to forget a hot cup of adrak chai…!
A few lines….
Dedicated to Puja Bhabhi..
*I am: a super crazy person…sometimes lost, sometimes at zenith…
*I think: a lot….about almost everything at the drop of a hat….
*I know: that life is a mystery…so many mysteries are yet to unfold..!
*I want: happiness for everyone around me!
*I have: my friends, family’s unconditional love and support!
*I wish: if I could become a doctor to treat poor people free of cost…
*I hate: waiting…and keep somebody waiting..!
*I miss: my privacy…!
*I fear: sometimes to hurt people I love….inadvertently
*I feel: good when I am spreading happiness around.
*I hear: some commotion coming up in my life 
*I smell: my mom’s hand made khana and Puja bhabhi’s paranthe…they are yummmy
*I crave: to have a long walk by the beach when it’s raining heavily..may be not safe though!
*I search: for a cozy and peaceful book-store…with a cafeteria
*I wonder: why religion is still the bone of contention.
*I regret: not joining NDA .
*I love: nature’s beauty and India’s paradise.
*I ache: for my dad who is currently with God.
*I care: for my family and friends.
*I am not: at all a proud or arrogant person as people may assume at first glance.
*I believe: everything that happens …happens for good.
*I dance: On cool bollywood numbers…
*I sing: “Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hain…jahan bhi le jaye rahein hum sang hain”
*I cry: when I am deeply hurt..
*I don’t always: prefer people who crib about others or get started with insignificant conversations about someone else.
*I fight: over things which are not right…end up fighting with rick-drivers for their tampered metered fares
*I write: whatever comes to my heart and derive immense pleasure out of it!
*I win: people’s confidence…Now is that a political statement ?? Never mind that’s how I am.
*I lose: my temper when people do not want to understand others point of view and stick to their own.
*I never: jump into conclusion.
*I always: end up buying what appeals me..
*I confuse: when I have to take a decision…
*I listen: to my ipod mostly while traveling …!
*I can usually be found: playing with my cute niece, or reading a book..or cooking..
*I am scared: of getting drowned in water!
*I need: my space at times..
*I lack: the comfortability to let my heart out !
*I am happy about: the way my life has shaped up so far!
The Odd Couple – “A comedy about Opposites” by Evam Theater Group at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad.
Goldie & George
My wish-list
My wish list…
• Camping and mountain climbing…
• A long walk while it’s raining heavily…
• Living in a cottage by the side of a river , surrounded by mountains and greenery all over.
• River Rafting at shivpuri near Hrishikesh…with the highest current of water flowing…
* A cruise to an unknown destination…
* Have my own adorable library with a calm reading zone by the side of french window which opens up to a spectacular view.
* A walk over the carpet of moonlight spread over the river bank while the jewel studded river singing softly.
Would keep updating as and when I come up with more …
Jab we met…??
Na Hai Yeh Pana
Na Khona Hi Hai
Tera Na Hona Jane
Kyun Hona Hi Hai
Tum Se Hi Din Hota Hai
Surmaiye Shaam Aati
Tumse Hi Tumse Hi
Har Ghadi Saans Aati Hai
Zindagi Kehlati Hai
Tumse Hi Tumse Hi
Na Hai Yeh Pana
Na Khona Hi Hai
Tera Na Hona Jane
Kyun Hona Hi Hai
Aankhon Mein Ankhen Teri
Baahon Mein Baahein Teri
Mera Na Mujh Mein Kuch Raha… Hua Kya
Baaton Mein Baatein Teri
Raatein Saugatein Teri
Kyun Tera Sab Yeh Ho Gaya
Hua Kya
Mein Kahin Bhi Jata Hoon
Tumse Hi Mil Jata Hoon
Tumse Hi Tumse Hi
Shor Mein Khamoshi Hai
Thodi Se Behoshi Hai
Tum Se Hi Tum Se Hi
Aadha Sa Wada Kabhi
Aadhe Se zyada Kabhi
Jee Chahe Karlu Is Tarah Wafa Ka
Chode Na Chote Kabhi
Tode Na Tute Kabhi
Jo Dhaga Tumse Jud Gaya Wafa Ka
Mein Tera Sharmaya Hoon
Jo Mein Ban Paya Hoon
Tumse Hi Tumse Hi
Raste Miljate Hai
Manzile Mil jati Hai
Tumse Hi Tumse Hi
Na Hai Yeh Pana
Na Khona Hi Hai
Tera Na Hona Jane
Kyun Hona Hi Hai
Unforgettable Experience…!
Monday, April 7th 2008
Hyderabad
The day started on a slow note. Woke up late…stirred a cup of tea with newspaper in hand, munching sum rusks. One of my aunts always insisted I should never have tea empty stomach; else we end up with acidity issues. It wasn’t too soggy today so continued lazing around and reading “The Japanese Wife”.
Did a bit of cooking later. Somehow, cooking is quite therapeutic I believe. Outside… the clouds were darkening and floating low in the sky as if it would rain anytime. After lunch I blogged for a while and then outside, I could witness a heavy downpour. I simply could not resist but ran out to the terrace to drench myself. I did, I simply enjoyed to my heart’s content. Was dripping from top to bottom…I pulled a neighborhood kid, and made her enjoy the torrential rain as well. Though I alarmed her she may fall sick but she too could not avoid the fun. It was an extraordinary feeling. I love rains…and moreover getting soaked. I was admonished and then… I had to come back for a change.
Coming back my excitement did not run down. I made a cuppa tea for myself….a hot cup of ginger tea…and sat down at the corridor, enjoying the rains outdoor and continued to read the chapter “Tiger…Tiger” from The Japanese Wife, Kunal Basu’s latest production. A collection of twelve short stories intricately based on relationships.
Solitary Reaper – William W.
Behold her, single in the field
Yon solitary highland lass!
Reaping and singing by herself;
Stop here, or gently pass!
Alone she cuts and binds the grain,
and sings a melancholy strain;
O listen! for the vale profound
Is overflowing with the sound.
No Nightingale did ever chaunt [chant]
More welcome notes to weary bands
Of travellers in some shady haunt,
Among Arabian sands:
A voice so thrilling ne’er was heard
In springtime from the Cuckoo-bird,
Breaking the silence of the seas
Among the farthest Hebrides.
Will no one tell me what she sings?–
Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow
For old, unhappy, far-off things,
And battles long ago:
Or is it some more humble lay,
familiar matter of to-day?
Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,
That has been or may be again?
Whate’er the theme, the Maiden sang
As if her song could have no ending;
I saw her singing at her work
And o’er the sickle bending;–
I listened, motionless and still;
And, as I mounted up the hill
The music in my heart I bore,
Long after it was heard no more
U said i’ll love,
U said i’ll care,
But when surrounded with the biggest fear,
U were nowhere…….
U left alone,
U left me cryin,
And claimed to b a saviour
While i was dyin…….
When i needed u the most,
When there was left no hope,
When tried hard to survive,
You left me apart,
While sayin i was nearby……
Now, iam dying ,
Tired or tryin,
Please tak me to peace,
I am the man u created ,
Which u never realized……
Now in these painful moments ,
help me my dear CHRIST!!!!!!
Courtsey – A very dear friend of mine(V)
Full Moon!
Classics…!
I love old hindi flicks….and currently I am awestruck by the classical genre of film making…and moved by the recent two movies that I played on my home-theater. “Do Bigha Zameen” and “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam…” What a style, and what a performance delivery by Meena Kumari. Such innocence and nuances of emotions were just worthy of appreciations throughout. I was spellbound!
On the other hand “Do Bigha Zameen” was a film which was portraying the farmer’s penchant to save his handful of land from the zamindar. Again a brilliant and evergreen performance by Balraj Sahni and the kid. There were instances in the film which was so moving like the restlessness of the kid to support his father in earning money and buy bangles for his mother. Another one being when the kid quietly puts back the money in the pot when given to have his dinner by lying that he wasn’t feeling too well, so that he could save money for the day. Amazingly shot and a touching storyline of the yesteryears…!
Vacation..from Hyderabad to my home town…(16th -30th Oct)
Oh…so tiring it was but a memorable one. Yes the journey from Hyderabad to my home town, where I basically originate from. A neat holiday with loads of relatives around after a long time and of course not to forget the taste of organic Bengali food which I am so fond of…all was just too good. But the best part of the whole journey was uninterrupted completion of 4 books that I used to snuggle with whenever I got time. “Freedom at midnight” was simply superb and extraordinary; it just cleared some speculations in my mind about Gandhi Ji, the true mahatma. The inscrutable Americans, Notebook, and Five Point Someone were good enough as well.
Greenery, fresh air, and the countryside feel were just so refreshing. Such vacations are indeed essential for every working professional to help you get connected with the other side of life, something which is so subtle and stress-free.
Love Letters…
Don’t get too excited…its none of mine that I would want to publish at al …it’s the first exhilarating experience of a PLAY that I watched. I never had seen one before, as an art lover I always wanted to watch one…and then thanks to my friend Aish who shared this piece of information that there’s a Theater Festival coming up in Hyderabad, and without even giving a second thought I nodded a yes! The excitement of first time was visible on our faces, we were rushing to the place in advance primarily for the tickets and secondly because it was our first time J We had two more colleagues who joined us for the play and it was great fun…We had no clue as to what it is all about except for the snippet that was distributed in the form of posters about all the upcoming plays for the season.
Love Letters…yes it was all about the journey of two characters that pass through various phases of life, childhood, adulthood, old age and even death. They shared their hidden feelings for each other, they wooed,,, annoyed and mollified each other, shared moments of happiness and sorrows, they discussed family, life, friends, love, hatred, jealousy, sex, marriage, children, sickness, death of near ones…everything that they possibly could discuss through letters, yes truly said a “dying art” in the play with the e-mails taking over the former. It clearly portrays Life in the most practical form that one can experience…could be one of our stories…All elements of life is wonderfully enacted in the so-well directed play and delivered so perfectly by such seasoned artistes; Rajit Kapoor (Of Suraj ka satwan ghoda, fame) and Shernaz Patel (Played mother of the protagonist in sanjay bhansali’s BLACK) both of them were just remarkable. The humor in the play was aptly stirred by the director and which made it more exciting. The flow of words, the performance, the intensity, the chemistry between the two was so perfect and flawless. Good plays always arrest your interest and keep you glued throughout and that’s what this play did…
Thanks to the entire play group for giving us such a wonderful time and an experience of a lifetime..I never for even once felt uninterested. I truly enjoyed my first play throughout…but unfortunately had to leave before the end due to my curfew hours at home…hehe!!
Listening to…
Kailasa’s Saiyaan……”"
Heere moti main na chaahoo
main toh chaahoo sangam tera
main toh teri saiyyan
tu hai mera ….saiyyan … saiyyan
tu jo chhoo le pyaar se
aaraam se mar jaaoo
aaja chanda bahoo mein
tujh mein hi gum ho jaaoo …
main … tere naam mein kho jaaoo
saiyyan … saiyyan
mere din khushi se jhoome gaaye raate
pal pal mujhe dubaaye jaate jaate
tujhe jeet jeet haaroo
yeh praan praan varoo
hay aise main nihaaroo
teri aartee utaaroo
tere naam se jude hai saare naate
saiyyan … saiyyan
banke maala prem ki tere tan pe jhar jhar jaaoo
baithoo naiya preet ki
sansaar se thar jaaoo
tere pyaar se tar jaaoo
saiyyan … saiyyan
yeh narm narm nasha hai…badhta jaaye
koi pyaar se ghungatiya deta udaaye
ab baawra hua mann
jag ho gaya hai roshan
yeh nayee nayee suhaagan
ho gayee hai teri jogan
koi prem ki pujaaran mandir sajaaye
saiyyan … saiyyan
heere moti main na chaahoo
main toh chaahoo sangam tera
main na jaanu
tu hi jaane
main toh teri
tu hai mera
main na jaanu
tu hi jaane
main toh teri
tu hai mera
main toh teri ………… tu hai mera
Source : http://www.metrolyrics.com/saiyyan-lyrics-kailash-kher.html
Leisure by William H. Davies
WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
I just love this poem….! How well it suits our present lifestyle! We are so preoccupied in our own world that we overlook the small things that spreads happiness and warmth. Nowadays we crave for materialistic stuff to rule our lives and further ignore the charm of natural beauty. Everyday erratic schedules, hectic work, new challenges, peer-pressure seem to hover around us and we tend to disregard a life beyond work. This poem ironically states that… and draws our attention to what we are missing around us.,
I wandered lonely as a cloud!!
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: -
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company:
I gazed -and gazed -but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought.
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils.
The above lines have been penned by one of my all-time favourite authorz “William Wordsworth” – a major english poet born in the year 1770, April 7. That’s the idea of a perfect peace of mind amidst nature’s exquisiteness!!
I dream of travelling to far off places, some countryside …place thats captured so well in Wordsworth’s poems ..much away from the world’s materialistic life; gazing at the ever-so breathtaking beauty of streams flowing through the valley, chirping birds, enjoying the cool breeze, and forget all pains and wretchedness of life and get absorbed at that hour…!
Not only that.. I wish to travel all such places in India which are unexplored, untouched and where nature’s beauty is at it’s peak!
I love the stunning work of the tombs, forts and wonderful monuments, which most of them are frayed and unattended and they would wither away some day due to lack of protective measures…the silence at these places speak volumes about the art & culture of country’s vibrant history.
I sometimes wonder why people are so fascinated to travel abroad to spend a vacation, when there’s so much affluence in our own country…Destinations like Kulu, Manali, Simla, Mussoorie, Nainital in the North. Back-waters in Kerela, Munnar, Ooty, south-west of karnataka down south. Goa, rajasthan, amritsar in the west are so picturesque!!
Hope to start my journey someday..and capture the moments of such lifetime experience that one can quickly develop an abiding passion for it. Continue reading
