Sa Ri Ga

Sangetham, Music is such a divine creation. Did man discover it from nature or did he invent these swaras? The question can be left to truth-seekers, I am not one. I like to listen to the voice, the sound, the rhythm, the flow of tunes. There are legends who created marvels, pieces of music that will never ever be faded from this earth. I think good music is the only common thing that is shared by every culture, religion, country.
You can call it Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa Da Ni or E F G A B C D or in fact any other way.. these notes (swaras) make music.
Enough about music, I am not writing this to give you a Music 101 lecture notes here. This is basically to let you know about a piece of creation from the genius minds of Sri Illayraja popularly known as The Mastero. He composed and orchestrated so many songs that have touched millions of hearts millions of times.. This is a bit he created or experimented with only 3 of the 7 notes 'Sa Ri Ga' Its popularly known as 3 in 1 song. Below is the lyrics that I have lifted off from some others blog (Sorry to who ever it is)..

And Here is the song




Lyrics
||pa|| raagam rasamaya vedamai

swara sanchaaramulanu cheyaga

thaanam thakadhimi thaalamai

thanuvantha pulakalu repaga



prathi swaram varam pranam

pranava subhakaram padam palikithe

sumaharam niram tharam

hrudaya laya swaram galam kalipithe



thagaraja pancharatname kaadaa

vinnavaari janma dhanyamaipodaa



||cha|| paadana theeyaga Enaadevvaruu vinanee

gaaname oopirai naalo migile kathanee

uyyaalalooge kanupaapalo kalani

naa paatathone jatha kalipi adanee

sarigamale vaati varamai

naluguriki naada swaramai



bhaavam-raagam-thaalam

aalaapinche geetham

eduru nilichi sogasu chiliki

manasunu gelavani

It is Permanent !!

I am the breeze that touches your hair

I am the wind that moves the metal rooster

I am the raindrop that musks dead dry sand

I am the hurricane that moves a city land

I am the morning shine that clears fog ahead

I am the scorching heat that cracks lakebed

I am the flower-bud that makes you smile wide

I am the pollen that irritates you to red-eyed

I am the snow flake to fall and kiss your lips

I am the hail-storm to drown you to your hips

I am the one that you want and don't want

I am the change that you await everyday

Either to seek me or need me to go away..

Words popped into my head because I could not sleep !! Apologize if theres a mistake, forgive me if it has no meaning!

_ Chaitanya

Lifelong Friends..

Today is the first Sunday of August 2010, Friendship day! Let me start with a dialogue from the movie The Patriot - I have long feared that my sins would return to visit me, and the cost is more than I can bear.

The reason I state that is because my sins always returned but the cost was many times shared. Shared with those unknown and unfamiliar people whom I later called Friends. Names change, places change and the common element is me and friends. If Life is a full laid plan, and things are meant to happen, people are meant to change or move or whatever, then there are some people who are meant to stay!

What if it is not a full laid plan.. What if everything is interconnected, what if everything is... Random. Where ever you go you make new ones, being grateful for the people who turned into friends and helped you along the way is one way to subside the randomness. I should confess, I am such a kind. I am one of those people you could think of "I know him, he is just an acquaintance" or "I know him, he was my friend; Now we are not in touch so much".

But you should also know that, many times you made my day, and sometimes into my dreams, just made me laugh and sometimes shared secrets. Turning yourself into friends, into beautiful memories.. these continue to be in my Chapters of life!!

Today may be a day where you can post a stunning quote on Facebook or send an email with a lot of pictures of cute puppies to many contacts in you email. May be a day where you just call a few close friends to wish them or video your self on youtube and post it to the world. You may choose a hundred ways to express 'happy friendship day'. I choose to remember all of my friends all my life.. No matter what or where you are, you are in some parts of my life.. you are forever a friend.. Though I may not be in touch with you, today I think of you.. just like many other days before and many other days coming ahead... After all one day to remember a friend is just not enough...

Happy Friendship Day!! Just for the sake of it!!

Leader!

This could be the first time ever I am writing (blogging) about a Movie. For those who don't know me, I watch a lot of movies. Its not for passing time but my brain, which always dream in imaginations, movies are like tea and snacks. I have liked and appreciated so many movies and to name them, it is quite a long list. However this particular movie 'Leader', a telugu movie directed my a 'realistic' director Shekar Kammula is very refreshing to the routine idea of a movie with political drama. He had directed other movies like Anand, Godavari which I liked the direction part but it is again another common romantic film. Another popular movie Happy Days, on the other hand was not such a great movie that falls in his bag of chips.

The direction, is a typical Shekar Kammula's own style, but it had a pinch of something unexplainable that is just captivating. Acting wise, Rana has a fresh touch to Telugu film industry, a remarkable first film choice. I am not expecting much, as of now, from him. I hope he grows into this industry making wise choices. I went through his blog and noticed that he could be a different actor, finally, after all the stereotypes. He is a fan or may be a devotee of Kamal, who of course defined 'Acting' in Indian film industry. I only look forward, for him to perform in different roles and not becoming another Babu..

The script is carefully made, but it did lack the romantic element. I, personally would have preferred either more romance (if required) or nothing at all. The political aspect seemed to be a little too daring (liked) but could be so fictional too. The last few turn of events was quite expected, but was showed in a way like in Mani's Yuva. I did not like the way Arjun(Rana) would go on to become a CM the second time, but the film also showed a little of the hard work behind the success.

Over all a bold movie, I could say, refreshing faces (including Richa and Priya) to Telugu films and industry. Decent music, though not so great, for an upcoming music director. Well thats all for now... I wish him good luck and only hope he makes wise choices in selecting films..

Save me !!

"I am here in this dark room with a single small window, so high above me.. I can not reach it.. But I try.. They left me here all alone and I am scared.. I am scared that I will be here forever... its been long.. so long that the windows were warm and cold for many times... I tried hard to get out.. I need help but help does not come... I shout in vain and in pain I cry... I am now tired.. tired of being here all alone... save me!!"

What does this sound like? Does that sound like a person trapped for death in a dungeon?? or

Does that sound like some woman's cry for help in a country like India?? Why does the media show the status of women something like that?? Why do people think women in India are not given equal status?? Is that true or is that a hype?? In a country, where the President is a Woman, why would this cry be heard.....why??

Woman's day!! A day dedicated for women (by whom? I don't know!) It makes me feel sorry, because it is a fight for a girl in a society like India. A fight to live a decent life, to go through a normal day, with out some eyebrows rising and some ears biting... The Great Old man once told India will have its freedom when a woman can walk on a lonely street all alone safe and sound... Is he true?? Are Indian men so bad?? Is it the culture thats not changing?? Why should the culture change?? We were one of the greatest lands a white man has ever explored!!

Let us narrow down to something simple now.. what does each gender want from the other??

Lets start with Men.. Indian men.. An average Indian Man wants - a Mother who feeds him, a wife who gives him (everything from respect to sex), a daughter(or sister) who adores him (and follows his rules). He just can not imagine an average Indian woman to be in any other role.

Indian Woman on the other hand, NEED many more things than what an average Man can give.. freedom when she wants to do something out of ordinary, support when things go wrong, respect when they go right, solace when sad, understanding when confused, a heart when in love, your ears when speaking(a lot), safety under street lights, sunshades under day light, and the list can go on....

But you know what, one thing Indian men won't and can't accept is that they take serious advice from their wife, and when she is right.... Men please wake up.. think beyond a mother, wife, sister or a daughter... think a friend.. a human being... Give her what she needs, its not a big deal to get up (unless you are cripple) and offer your seat to a lady (pretty or not it does not matter)

And women, please don't complain about reservations, they don't give you what you need. At the same time you do not need to compete with men.. just work with men.. thats good enough... It is a known fact that a woman's enemy is always a woman.. so cut that crap of jealousy... I know There are far more serious issues with women in India, from fetus killing to child molestation to forced prostitution... Though it is heart breaking to listen to such tragedies, a country's development does not depend on those numbers going down, the countries development depends on you walking out and fighting for what you want to become... Please continue to fight...something that you are good at..

If you don't know, let me tell you it is not as easy as you may think to a man either... but of course it is a lesser fight than yours. Ladies, Sometimes you have pay for your virtues. Women, a complicated mind in a sophisticated body, with many tangential morals.

"And one fine day, a prince came to the the window, I shouted to save me, he said 'The door is not locked why in the hell you were shouting out for help' "

Faith and Disbelief!!

I recently bumped into this video below, where Richard Dawkins, a prominent Atheist who does not believe in God, Religion or should I say who believes in Science and Evolution. Here are my points of view which may be a few!!

I think that what you believe defines you in a very prominent way as to how you live or intend to live your life. I, as many Indians, grew up in a religious home praying to several Gods of the Hindu religion. I still believe in all Mythical Figures and Holy Vedas, not for debating my own questionnaire, just because I am not intending to find answers to them. It would be so much more harder for this particular Professor to question or discard the presence of God because the theory of creation is explained in a Scientific manner in Hindu religion (which is one of the oldest religions) unlike other religions where it is either created in 6 days or chose to ignore the question itself. The Big Bang Theory would be the closest to the theory of creation like in Hindu's theory of the Sound of 'Om'.

When simplistic minds of human (like mine) cannot understand the concept of life through the millions of decades of years (a lot of time) in other words the theory of evolution by natural (sometimes random) selection, we seek simple answers. Answers that does not falsify the truth of 'the matter' yet satisfy the quench of human minds for knowledge. Keeping that in mind, the brilliant yet humble creators of Scriptures in Hindu religion made stories and myths that is hard to contradict on the basis of irrational or illogical.

However, there are many stories that simply cannot be logical. Some may ask about the Gods we pray having a head of a elephant or a monkey. But the theory of evolution could not explain the shape of our ancestors. Hanuman is a perfect example to support the difficulty of imagination in science (everything needs evidence) where a story has been used to explain how the most powerful being on earth has been seen and how a normal monkey 'evolute' into Hanuman. The ten avatars (Dasavatars) clearly explains the theory of evolution with out the basis of modern day scientists yet not contradicting it either. Kalki may not be a God as such but a modern man who rose to power (conquer all evil on a horse). Incidentally (or a natural selection) the stone age man used powerful horses as their mode of transportation.

The Hindu God (a few thousands) are the basis of faith to create moral and ethical deeds in human force in India. A powerful tool of all is faith in something superior to yourself but at the same time many Hindus believe in 'AhamBrahmosmi'- meaning I am Brahma (the creator) keeping it so simple for the science. For some to experience God or the feel of God may just be a chemical imbalance or an illusion but for some its a faith to push ourselves to be humble and for some a series of coincidences.

The cultural aspect of a religion is completely different form the question of presence of God. Though I disagree to the world creation in 6 days according Genesis of the Holy Bible, I tend to agree on a higher power. I believe in Hinduism as a religion that considerably answers many of my questions yet keeps my in a quest for more knowledge and doubt. That could be why I do not intend to seek answers but believe rather than regretting to disbelief.

PS: No offense to any other religion, I respect every religion.

This is rubbish???

"This is A RUBBISH video, Indian Culture is not about film stars and so called babes"

"phir mile sur a national shame..."

"Not like the old one.OLD IS GOLD"

"a racist oriented video....totally ignored the north eastern states...."

"This version is absolutely fake."

"new mile sur is highly disappointing..."

Above are some of the comments from the public for the recently made "New Mile Sur mera thumara" video which was released on the Republic day January 26th 2010.

While I agree with some of the comments I beg to differ on others. But the fact is that it is sad that many of us could only notice the popular Indian actors and some of us could notice a few musicians. The video is not about them.. it is about the diversity each actor brings in to work together. It is about cultural difference we have yet sining one tune. Did you even know the boxer from the far east state of Manipur? I searched her up only after watching this video. She is MC Marykom, the prospectus lightweight women boxing champ. The Sarod player Amjad Ali Khan, the Santoor Pandit Sharma or the violin legend Dr.L. Subramanium, do we even know about them? Sobhana is as graceful as she can be in the dance, KJ Yesudas pleasantness in his voice and Sonu Nigams charm in his. All this is diversity in a culturally different society. It stings a bit for not including major cricket stars or Industrialists, but I could compromise on that as it is brings light on other sports we pushed into closet like boxing, football and badminton. It is also true that even the older version had majority of casting from the movie Industry. But does a 17 min video define India or its spirit to be ONE SUR?

A country of more than one Billion people and if you count on each and everyone's ordinary life, it is inspirational. From the Mumbaikar who travels in the jam packed crowded train to work as a accounts manager in some corporate bank to the farmer in the Telengana region depending on monsoon showers; From the Auto Driver in Madras railway station to the Call center employee working all night in Bengaluru; Fishermen from Kerala and Goa to street football players in Kolkata; Taxi drivers in New Delhi, working household women in Udaipur, Tea plucker in Assam, Steel factory employee in Jamshedpur, Holy yogi in the Haridwar and Varanasi, cattle farmer in Bihar and countless other stories. In which place in the world can you see two families with completely different religious beliefs live side by side and share special dishes they make for their festivals. As someone said, A life time is not enough to learn about one Indian culture!! So be proud to be an Indian..

By the way the Bollywood you say rubbish, makes the highest number of movies in the entire entertainment industry in world. Tough I hate the typical Bollywood movie making and story styles, it is life line to a millions of people working in the industry and entertainment to close to a billion people around the world!!