Tuesday, May 08, 2007

The Music Tag

When Juneli tagged me at first, I thought it to be an easy tag. Not to be, at all. But yes, for once, I am glad I am tagged for this.

Your favorite lyricist and the lyrics you remember the most
A tough tag notwithstanding, and here comes the toughest question in the beginning it self. Toughest because unlike Deepak, I won't like the song unless I don't like its lyrics.

My preference for a composition goes like this: Lyrics > Singer > Music. In fact, even if there is a minimal music, because when I am deeply enjoying a song, I stop registering its music. For eg - the song from Shankar Hussain - Bahut Khoobsoorat, Magar Sanwli Si.

Here, I must also agree that I have strong gender bias towards male voice - a different form of male chauvanism.

And considering there have been so many genius lyricist around, it is difficult to name one. So like Deepak, I would also put up a list.

Shailendra: Definitely he should top the list. A commonner's lyricst, I should say. Like Deepak said, no difficult words, only simple Hindi/Urdu. I think it is tough thing to catch masses imagination without heavy words, and he did. Each songs of the movies like अनाडी , Guide, मधुमती are immortal now.

His song from यहुदी - ये मेरा दीवानापन हैं, या मोहब्बत का सुरुर is one of my favourites, but the song whose lyrics I enjoy the most is from the film सीमा sung hauntingly by Manna Dey, and music by Shankar Jaikishan - तू प्यार का सागर है, तेरी एक बूंद के प्यासे हम.

Gulzar: What to say? The only living genius of lyrics today. इजाजत in my opinion, is his best album ever. आंधी, घर come close . His metaphors are still fresh and different. I never knew one can write with water(खामोश सा अफसाना, पानी से लिखा होता) or cut the clouds( बादलों से काट काट के) or for that matter one can burn a cigarette with Liver(Bidi Jalai Le Jigar Se Piya). They are many such examples.

But the first among equals in his lyrics turns out to be heart-wrenching - ऐ मेरे प्यारे वतन, ऐ मेरे बिछडे चमन from काबुलीवाला. Incidentally, another Manna Dey song. This song is one example where you can't ignore any of these - lyrics, singer, music.

Bharat Vyas: Here I would like to mention one particular song whose lyrics and singing I can never forget - ऐ मालिक तेरे बंदे हमfrom दो आंखे बारह हाथThis one song will last for centuries, no matter what happens to Hindi as the language.

There are so many lyrcist I want to talk about, like -

Hasrat Jaipuri(he and Shankar Jaikishan have created riot together, especially the songs from आरजू)
Sahir Ludhiyanawi(प्यासा, हम दोनो, कभी कभी, चित्रलेखा, हमराज etc),
Shakeel Badayuni(Bees Sal Baad, चौदहवी का चांद etc)
Majrooh Sultanpuri(कुदरत , काला पानी, CID, अभिमान etc),
Kaifi Azami(कागज के फूल , हीर रांझा, अर्थ etc),
Anand Bakshi(हिमालय की गोद में etc )
Indivar( सरस्वती चंद्र)

But then this post will stretch beyond Illiad & Homer.

Your favorite song on friendship
The song from जंजीर- यारी हैं इमान मेरा, यार मेरी जिंदगी Sung by, guess who, Manna Dey.

Best song(s) portraying life’s emotion
Classic Anand Bakshi - जिंदगी के सफर में, गुजर जाते है जो मकाम from आप की कसम and मन रे तू काहे ना धीर धरेfrom चित्रलेखा written by Sahir Ludhiyanawi and immortalized by Mohd Rafi.

Which song are you humming today?
None.

Song(s) which brings tears to your eyes
1) The song from Raja aur Runk, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and written by Anand Bakshi - Tu Kitni Achhi Hai, Tu Kitni Bholi Hai, Pyari Pyari Hai, O Maa, O Maa.
(Especially, the lines - Maa Bachhon Ki Jaan Hoti Hai. Woh Hote Hain Kismat Wale Jinki Maa Hoti hai.)

2)The other song is from Hare Rama Hare Krishna, written by Anand Bakshi - Phoolon Ka Taron Ka, Sabka Kehna Hai.
(I love the line Dekho Hum dono Hain Ek Dali Ke Phool..)

3)And again the song from आप की कसम - जिंदगी के सफर में, गुजर जाते है जो मकाम.

A song which gives you hope, a reason to try again and again, a reason to say that life is beautiful

Maine Kaha Phoolon Se Hanso To Woh Khil Khilakar Hans Diye from the movie मिली penned by fellow Lucknowite - Yogesh.

When you want to be with yourself, silent and content but with music, which song would that be?
My ultimate favourite song from the film हम दोनो -मैं जिंदगी का साथ निभाता चला गया written by Sahir Ludhiyanawi and music by Jaidev.

If you have to express love with a song which would that be?
1)Again it involves Manna Dey, with Lata Mangeshkar from चोरी चोरी written by romance specialist Hasrat Jaipuri - आ जा सनम, मधूर चाँदनी में हम
2)The other one is from कुदरत - हमे तुमसे प्यार कितना, ये हम नही जानते

Five songs which you listen to the most
Not any particular list of five songs, but these are my favourite ones -
1)मैं जिंदगी का साथ निभाता चला गया
2)अभी ना जाओ छोडकर, के दिल अभी भरा नही
3)हम बेखुदी में तुम को पुकारे चले गए
4) Nishana Chook Na Jai, Zara Nazron Se Keh Do Ji
5) हम है राही प्यार के हम से कुछ ना बोलिए

A song for the person who tagged you
My song for her would be ना मुँह छुपा के जियो और ना सर झुका के जियो from Humraz.

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Thursday, May 03, 2007

Have Done, Have Not Done & Want To Do

This tag by Juneli has been pending since ages.

Have

Climbed a mountain – A hillock
Said 'I love you' and meant it - Oh Yes
Hugged a tree - Not done since a long long time, but done nevertheless.
Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise - Only on my marriage day.
Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment - In the college library.
Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking - Yes, only in college parties and marriages.
Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment – By God's grace.
Had two hard drives for your computer - Don't own a computer, but on workplace, yes.
Had amazing friends - Really amazing some of them.
In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
Played in the rain - Bachpan Mein
Toured ancient sites - Not at Mohen-Je-Daros, and Incas types. But yes.
Performed on stage - In school and neighbourhood.
Spoken more than one language fluently
Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking - Yeah I do that all the time.
Broken someone's heart - Couldn't help it.
Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol - At the balloons, yes.
Ridden a horse – It was a horrific experience.
Had your picture in the newspaper – I think so. No not picture. Only name.
Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about - Many a times.
Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language – Keep doing that all the time.
Changed a baby's diaper - But, of course.
Had a food fight - Oh yes. With my little sister, of course.
Screamed as loudly as you possibly can - At the cricket match.
Hit a home run - As in baseball, no. As in life, yes.
Milked a cow - Yes. Its a pain in the wrist.
Played in the mud - Aha. What a fun!
Buried one of your parents
Petted a cockroach - Oh my house is cockroach wildlife sanctuary!
Gone back to school - Kaafi Pehley.
Shaved your head - Yes, many times.
Slept under the stars - Many times at my Lucknow home terrace.
Taken a roadtrip - That ended with a fever.
Gotten married - Need I say more.
Raised children - Doing the same now.

Have not

Had a booth at a street fair
Fallen in love and not had your heart broken - Bus Amanush Hi Bana Ker Nahin Chhoda
Ridden a roller coaster - God forbid. I will simply puke.
Gotten drunk on champagne - Ever TeaCoffeetotaller
Bought everyone in the bar a drink - No. I am not that insane or rich.
Swam with wild dolphins - Can't swim. Unlucky Dolphins.
Won first prize in a costume contest
Gotten a tattoo
Eaten sushi
Held a tarantula - Me Not a SpiderMan.
Watched a lightning storm at sea
Gone to a huge sports game
Watched a meteor shower
Alphabetized your cds
Given more than you can afford to charity
Bet on a winning horse
Asked out a stranger
Held a lamb - Only a calf.
Seen a total eclipse - On TV, only.
Adopted an accent for an entire day
Taken care of someone who was drunk - Had an opportunity, I declined.
Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
Watched wild whales
Stolen a sign
Gone rock climbing
Gone sky diving
Visited Ireland
Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
Visited Japan
Pretended to be a superhero
Gone scuba diving
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
Crashed a party
Gotten divorced
Gone without food for 5 days
Rafted the Snake River
Been to Las Vegas
Recorded music
Eaten shark
Been in a combat zone
Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
Created and named your own constellation of stars
Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
Had plastic surgery
Survived an illness that you shouldn't have survived
Lost over 100 pounds - Don't need too.
Held someone while they were having a flashback
Petted a stingray
Helped an animal give birth
Broken a bone
Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
Had major surgery – God forbid.
Had a snake as a pet
Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
Eaten kangaroo meat
Parasailed
Eaten fried green tomatoes
Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
Killed and prepared an animal for eating
Skipped all your school reunions
Been elected to public office
Written your own computer language
Had to put someone you love into hospice care
Built your own PC from parts
Dyed your hair - Just Hinna
Been a DJ
Caused a car accident
Taken a candlelit bath with someone
Bungee jumped
Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
Lounged around in bed all day

Want to

Saved someone's life
Piloted an airplane
Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
Midnight walk on the beach
Been inside the Great Pyramid
Gone on an African photo safari
Visited Paris
Seen the Northern Lights
Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
Grown and eaten your own vegetables
Touched an iceberg
Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
Had a snowball fight
Backpacked in Europe
Sung karaoke
Kissed in the rain
Gone to a drive-in theater
Taken a martial arts class
Been in a movie
Made cookies from scratch
Ridden a gondola in Venice
Been on television news programs as an "expert"
Got flowers for no reason
Gone to Thailand
Bought a house
Been on a cruise ship
Wrote article for a large publication
Won money on a T.V. game show
Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
Visited all 7 continents
Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you

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Tuesday, November 28, 2006

The Eight Things

Tagged by Juneli, I have to say eight things about myself. As if getting tagged wasn't bad enough( I really don't like getting tagged), there is hardly anything left to say about myself, which I would still want to say.

Reluctant though I am, I will still go about it, but I won't be on an ego trip . It would be some trivia about me, and I may have told them in past. I hope it passes muster.

Tagged By:

Juneli

Eight Things About Me:

1) I was born on a Sunday, and it was raining that day. Since clouds are creatures of habit, they still rain on my every birthday, wherever I may be. Jab Mai Chhota Bachha Tha, I used to hate this because it meant lesser guests, so lesser gifts.

2) I have studied at the same school for fifteen years. Many of my close friends today were there with me from day one.

3) I learned to bicycle at a very late age of twelve.

4) I am myopic(since I was seventeen), as in eyesight, but that does not mean I am myopic in my thinking too.

5) My two wheeler savari has been - Hero Cycle (24 inch ), Hero Puch - Shakti, Hero Honda CD100SS - all inherited from my father. However, I couldn't lay hands on his green, glistening Yezdi. It was as old as me.

6) The sight I hate most is of armpits - shaven or no shaven.

7) I wanted to be a microbiologist(wanted to do my bit on Genome project), or a lawyer, or an investment banker. I am completely misfit in my current profession.

8) After my family, and some friends, I love my city Lucknow the most - in all its goodness and badness. I have realized its importance after leaving it.

I have to tag six people, but I won't do that in the fear that I might get a return compliment in future. However, every reader is free to get tagged.

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Monday, June 13, 2005

Now The Book Tag

Pardon me for this 'tagging' and 'book' business, but I have been book tagged by Alka(actually she was thinking of tagging me) and Nikhil. My previous post will look similar to this one, but only just. Don't worry, I will keep it short and simple.

Total Number of Books I Own
Paltry. I must be owning just about 30 books. Mostly because I am in beg, borrow or steal mode. More than these, I rent and read more. I have started buying only when I started earning.

The Last Book I Bought
Only last week, as I had mentioned in my previous post, I bought A Collection Of 100 Short Stories by O' Henry. The first story I read of his was romantic - The Gift Of Magi. It was prescribed in our school curriculum. It was followed by the tragic -The Last Leaf, and the laugh riot The Ransom Of Red Chief. These three stories showcase the range in his writings.

The Last Book I Read
It's a collection of Sherlock Holmes - The Hound Of Baskervilles & The Return Of Sherlock Holmes. I finished re-reading it only a few days back. A separate post on Sherlock Holmes sometime later.

Five Books That Mean a Lot to Me
The Alchemist -Paulo Coelho
As The Crow Flies -Jeffery Archer
Delhi Is Not Far -Ruskin Bond
The Godfather -Mario Puzo
Godaan - Munshi Prem Chand

Tag Five people
Actually, more than five.

Ishan
Vandy
Deepak
Rhicha
Red
Arunima

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Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Tagged!

Well, I have been tagged by Arunima for almost a week now, and I haven't still obliged. I was a bit hesistant, because it becomes a very boring job for both the readers and the writer. But let me do it for once and all. Please bear with me.

Total Number Of Films I Own On Dvd/Video
Zero DVDs, because I don't own a DVD player. Planning to buy a player pretty soon. VCDs too not much. May be around ten or so, because I generally watch the movies in theatre, and that too, only select ones. More than films, I own song VCDs. Also, I don't have such a gracious friends who can gift me these.

The Last Film I Bought
I think it was Baby's Day Out. Isn't it worth a movie to have it on one's portfolio?

The Last Film I Watched
In the theatre - Bunty aur Bubbly, in the player - Maqbool(courtesy benovelent Ashtrix), in the TV - the complete movie I saw on television is Don.

Five films that I watch a lot or that mean a lot to me
I am not sure what does "meaning a lot to me" means in film context. I will list my favourites, which too is damn difficult job because five is too small a number for this. Sholay, Jaaney Bhi Do Yaron, DON, Golmal, Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikander.

Three Names I Go By
Manish(official), Pinku(my folks & relatives call me that), Chauhan(my friends call me that).

Three Screen Names I Have Had
I have used my original name in the blogger ie 'Manish'. Ages back, I use to chat at the alamac website with pseudonym 'Mandrake', and some people at that site also use to call me 'Mandy'.

Three Physical Things I Like About Myself
Now, even three seems to be so big a number. Hmmm may be Eyes(standard answer, no?), and may be Lips. I couldn't find a third one.

Three Physical Things I Don't Like About Myself
That's easy. My hair's - quite a few of them have changed their colour. My height - I am neither tall, nor short. I wish I was slightly taller because Madhuri Dixit wanted a tall guy. My fingers because they jot down one of the most atrocious handwriting ever possible.

Three Parts Of My Heritage
Hindustani(I have even watched Indian national team playing Carrom against Sri Lanka, I am that crack!). Lucknawi juban - a clear give away. You can spot that in me withtin moments; can't take Lucknow out of a person. Third one, hmmm...may be I have inherited a bit of my mother's terrefic memory.

Three Things Which Scare Me
Ghosts( I mean, talk of ghosts), Dead bodies, Reptiles( pretty standard).

Three Of My Everyday Essentials
Newspaper( is a must), One Cup Tea( I take ages to gulp), & Hanuman Chalisa(listening to).

Three Things You Are Wearing Right Now
Clothes, Spectacles, Watch.

Three Things You Want In A Relationship
Humour, Sharing, Trust.

Two Truths and A Lie (in no particular order)
I am hating this now.

Three Physical Things About the Opposite Sex That Appeal To You
Pretty standard stuff again. Eyes. Hairs. Smile.

Three Things You Want To Do Really Badly Right Now
Sell off my some goddamn stocks of 3i Infotech I have invested in; Get down to work; Publish this longish post.

Three Careers You Are Considering
I always wanted to be a lawyer. BR Chopra was responsible for this. Then I also wanted to be a microbiologist or a scientist doing research in Human Genome project. Robin Cook's novels are responsible for this. I also wanted to be a cricketer.

Now I don't want to be a lawyer because it's too hot in that God forsaken rob, or a scientist because I can't study all my life, and can't be cricketer because there is a slight problem with my hand-eye coordination.

Three Places You Want To Go On Vacation
Goa, Mussorie, Kulu Manali

Three Kids Name You Like
God, its getting worse. Tinku, Minku & Pinku.

Three Things You Want To Do Before You Die
Insure safe future for my near and dear ones, Meet Amitabh Bachhan( KBC ho!), and get a chance to drive a Rolls Royace car.

Three People Who Have To Take The Quiz Now
Mai Yeh Paap Nahin Kerna Chahta. Bahut Bad-Duaen Milengi!

My earnest apologies to make you all go through all this.

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