aam aadmi

or

diwan-e-aam

anything suits! miss the fruit

motley madness

"a week too late but the spirit is permanent"

Current Contraceptive

In all probability he was jesting, but then his portfolio (health ministry) and the fact that Ghulam Nabi Azad was speaking at a conference with apparent serious intentions make me doubt my own assumptions.

If there is electricity in every village then people will watch TV till late night and then fall asleep. They won't get a chance to produce children. When there is no electricity there is nothing else to do but produce babies.

Damn, I could do with some cut in my monthly bills.

Nah, he was still probably jesting.

fake identity or identity crisis or surreal identity?

........

. ....... jiska bhi chehra cheela, andar se aur nikla

.........masoom sa kabootar naacha toh mor* nikla

* peacock

Kambakkht Gulzar, Kambakkht Vishal

They read my mind, and then they judged.

poetically, and sardonically!

..............................................Meri aarzoo kaminee

..............................................Mere khwaab bhi kaminey

..............................................Ek dil se dosti thi

..............................................Yeh huzoor bhi kaminey

Bucket List

Talking of going to my grave happy, I'd sport at least a smile if I were to learn/make/achieve/attain/fulfil or if

a significant piece of work in the United Nations Organization

pen something as simple and as elegant as Javed Akhtar's Radha Kaise Na Jale away from all metres and verbosity

my PhD thesis contributes a little more to us humans, albeit in a small way, than just remaining confined to libraries

one stringed instrument; Santoor, Mandolin, or well, a Guitar

come at least close to knowing why we were here

contribute personally and directly to at least one child's growth/primary education

a management degree from ISB, Hyderabad

one picture with my D60 that will remain immortal

one composition that will move people to tears

one epiphanous journey to a far away place that proves all the life before was one truly fucked up dream

Tamizh, or Urdu, or French

watch Wimbledon finals in London, live, with my sister Usha

one small video that will be my slice of eternity

fly

An incorrigibly and horribly romantic that I am, I often look back in time particularly the phase I grew up in, the '80s. All those idyllic thoughts that I associate with the '80s come to the fore, some culled from personal experiences, some media and cinema, and some imagination. Where it is perfectly possible to blend your personal objectives with something that you cannot shy away from, responsibilities. Where sunny Sunday afternoons are sunny Sunday afternoons, where sartorial sense doesn't have to be in an Abercrombie & Fitch or an Aeropostale but also in the simple elegance and class of a homely kurta, where an event or an occasion is bigger than the tools that contribute to it.

My naive self also comes to the fore and I conveniently begin to wonder if it is possible to lead a normal, relaxed, honest to oneself, simple, serene life. It makes me crave a life (I know the word "life" has complex connotations) at my pace, in no race with nobody to achieve that invisible and intangible nothing, satisfy myself, respect all the enormity that nature has to offer, honor minimal societal requirements and really try being true to myself. Where communication with people is very organic, very harmonious sans any ulterior motive quite unlike the restless, matter-of-factly, objective banter characteristic of the times I inhabit. Even if it is the order of the day, I want the blend to be so seamless that it leaves you in awe, or ideally go unnoticed. Where success is not how the society qualifies and quantifies your achievements but is what it means to your personally. As much I respect the comforts and conveniences that modern science and engineering have to offer, I do not want to be ensnared and enslaved by materialism. When I cry "materialism" it extends way beyond the usual physical and tangible entities. I do not want these tools to complete me, and if it did, that would be a personal disaster. I want to lessen the dependency on the social circuses called social networks to feel "in" at the risk of being termed, well, a social outcaste. I so want to move away from these social, cultural, technological phenomena that come oh so periodically and stare you in your face daring you not to ride the wave. For a firm believer in predetermined design, or destiny, may be I shouldn't be cribbing for probably this is the way it is/was meant to be. Yet I will try. At least I will go to my grave happy.

Andy, Slammed Grand

Or is it

Roddick Rogered?!

Anyway, Federer! Take a bow.

Alliterative Imtiaz!

"... ghatni hi thi yeh bhi ghatna, ghat'the ghat'the lo yeh ghat gayi..."

Alluding to destiny in these lines, this groovy, funky, lively, catchy Imtiaz Ali/Pritam Chakraborty number with a slight touch of South Indian rhythm ("taane tandane") is a breeze, moreso with Sunidhi Chauhan's amazing vocals on her introductory lines, very lively strings pervading throughout.

...................................Chor Bazaari Love Aaj Kal (2009)