The Skies and their Glory

Early morning snaps and poetry :) Have a fabulous day y'all! 

The sanguine Sunrise, with his meteor eyes,

         And his burning plumes outspread,

Leaps on the back of my sailing rack,

         When the morning star shines dead;

As on the jag of a mountain crag,

         Which an earthquake rocks and swings,

An eagle alit one moment may sit

         In the light of its golden wings.

And when Sunset may breathe, from the lit sea beneath,

         Its ardours of rest and of love,

And the crimson pall of eve may fall

         From the depth of Heaven above,

With wings folded I rest, on mine aëry nest,

         As still as a brooding dove.

I bind the Sun's throne with a burning zone,

         And the Moon's with a girdle of pearl;

The volcanoes are dim, and the stars reel and swim,

         When the whirlwinds my banner unfurl.

From cape to cape, with a bridge-like shape,

         Over a torrent sea,

Sunbeam-proof, I hang like a roof,

         The mountains its columns be.

The triumphal arch through which I march

         With hurricane, fire, and snow,

When the Powers of the air are chained to my chair,

         Is the million-coloured bow;

The sphere-fire above its soft colours wove,

         While the moist Earth was laughing below.

I am the daughter of Earth and Water,

         And the nursling of the Sky;

I pass through the pores of the ocean and shores;

         I change, but I cannot die.

For after the rain when with never a stain

         The pavilion of Heaven is bare,

And the winds and sunbeams with their convex gleams

         Build up the blue dome of air,

I silently laugh at my own cenotaph,

         And out of the caverns of rain,

Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb,

         I arise and unbuild it again.

AN: The world is a beautiful place at this time of the day! The poem above is a part of P.B Shelly's The Cloud (stanzas III, V and VI)

Old love

There’s something irresistible about them, like wine they keep getting better and more enjoyable with each passing day. People from every generation can’t help but fall in love with them, finding them intoxicating; and very rightly so for they serve the same purpose, wine for the soul...the classics, the eternally loved…
Old Hindi songs. Ok enough with the dramatic intro but with the topic at hand it was needed, melodrama was the life and soul of old bollywood movies and the songs were just overloaded with it. Not that we don’t like them quite the opposite in fact. Oh no we love these songs, like we’re listening to a shiny gramophone which plays the disk oh so brilliantly, not minding the minor tweaks in the sounds now and then. I say listening because watching these songs is quite different, I tend to find the actors, the costumes, the entire set-up a tad bit too weird to concentrate on the amazing music and the beautiful lyrics. A few favourites of mine..off the top of my head in no particular order would be…

♥ Pyar deewana hota hai Movie-Kati Patang Singer-Kishore Kumar (I love all the songs from this movie, Yeh Jo Mohobbat hai, Ye shaam mastani.. all of them!)

♥ Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se Movie-Ajnabee Singer-Kishore Kumar

♥ Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Movie-Blackmail Singer-Kishore Kumar (Awwwwwness)

♥ Chu Kar Mere Mann Ko, Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet, O Saathi Re, Ye Shaam Mastani, Aane Waala Pal Jaane Waala hai, Dilbar Mere Kab tak Mujhe, Hum Bewafaa, Tum Aa Gaye Ho Noor Aa Gaya Hai… there are so freaking many!

Let’s just say every song that the legend Kishore Kumar has ever sung. Simple. And all of them are so melodious, such a treat to the ears.

♥ Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha Movie-Anpadh Singer-Lata Mangeshkar

♥ Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye Movie-Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai Singer-Lata Mangeshkar (This HAD to make it to the list)

♥ Lag Jaa Gale Movie-Woh Kaun Thi Singer-Lata Mangeshkar (Double in the awwwwwwwness quotient)

♥ Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi Movie-Aandhi Singers-Lata and Kishore

I think this establishes the fact that almost every song by these two is undeniably great.

♥ Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Movie-Kabhie Kabhie Singer-Mukesh (Love his ‘Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hu too)

♥ Bade Ache Lagte Hai Movie-Balika Badhu Singer-Amit Kumar (This one is the cutest… the pangs of innocent love, sweet grief)

♥ Baahon mein Chale Aa Movie-Anamika Singer-Lata M

♥ Tujhse Naraaz nahi Zindagi Movie-Masoom Singer-Anoop Ghosal

Omg look at the list and I haven’t even stated with Rafi! I fell in love with his ‘Tum Bin Jau Kaha’ the first time I heard it. And the others like Tumne Mujhe Dekha,  Badan Pe Sitare, Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya…..Uff!

All those crazy solos, all those beautiful duets with Lata Mangeshkar like Teri Bindiya Re, Baago Mein Bahaar Hai, Kitna Pyaara Waada hai…

The entire album of movies like Yaadon Ki Baraat, Amar Akbar Anthony, Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahi, Padosan etc.

Eeeks I’ve got to stop this post right here else I’ll end up writing down EVERY song there possibly is! I sound like a music junkie! It’s 5 a.m and I’ve had all these wonderful songs to give me company through the night. Any amount of appreciation is still insufficient. AND what I did here was spread the love, so peace.

And what would you wish for?

My  biggest worry at one time was a knot in my Barbie's hair (What was that? It is not that big a problem? Try telling that to a 5 year old!!), I wished for it to untangle, fall straight and smooth and if that didn’t happen I’d chop the problematic hair off. What followed would most definitely be my crying and bawling at how weird my beautiful Barbie looked in the new hair-do. Times have changed drastically, so has the cause of my worries, but even today more often than not when I find myself in a mess, in a complex knot where I’m caught between practicality and fantasies, reality and dreams, reason and emotions;
I wish for it to all smoothen out, I wish for my life and the world to be a simpler place. Without getting confused or dragged to the extremes of being a pragmatist or totally whimsical. When we’re done lusting after the farfetched luxuries, the million things we tire ourselves out to achieve, the reason why we keep rushing at a great pace so as to not lose out on time and in turn doing just that, and when you pause a while to think, to ask yourself that one question ‘why?’ and ‘what for?’ , and then? A penthouse in a skyscraper in almost every big and happening city in the world, a ride worth an entire third world country, a wardrobe fit for the Royals… and the likes, would the list ever end? I’m not saying we wouldn’t or shouldn’t want these, heaven knows how long my own list is!! But it grows, and somehow the most constant things that I myself have wished for from the core of my being are something else altogether.., simpler. By that I don’t mean they’re easily achieved, quite the contrary. There are things that appear to be mere flotsam and jetsam but what would we not do to have them come true.

The past seems to be a wonderful place to dwell in; between the uncertainty of tomorrow and the struggles of today. I get nostalgic and wish for those days to return, to relive those carefree days, the problems long solved look trifle, almost laughable. Of them school days top the list. Those days which seemed torturous back then(I couldn’t wait to get out of school and be a grown up!) now appear to be the best phase of my life ever. (Where is the guy who had to invent the time turner!?!)

There are times when all I wish for is acceptance; acceptance of things as and how they are(wouldn’t that make life so much better?). Live and let live, might be cliché and so no one takes it seriously but that is the need of the hour, the most important one too. Almost always I wish human beings were a better race, a better people; and trust, honesty, love were  not just words we know. For us to have a little more compassion, a little less hatred, a little more empathy, a little less evil, a little more action, a little less indifference.

The one common wish we all have (for some against our more sensible selves) is to have someone who would bring life to your existence, prove to you that there still might be a little hope for us after all; with who you can be who you are, flaws and everything. If not the entire world maybe just one with who acceptance, trust, faith and love hold true (Implausible in today’s world; hope against hope!).

For a fair world!!! Every single one of us has wished for this one! A considerable part of our lives goes away in grumbling about how unfair the world is, quoting Bill Gates when he said ‘Life is not fair, get used to it’, and then complaining about how he cannot say such things with that kind of money! (You don’t? Ok I do!)

Wishes wishes and more wishes! I remember as kids we had so many ways we could wish for what we wanted and had a child’s belief it would all come true. The sight of a mail van, a goods train crossing the bridge over you, this one’s really funny but wishing every time you saw a Sardarji (Sikh with a turban; no offense but every kid did it, even my Sardar friend who would get up every morning, look at her dad first thing and wish happily!), and then there was that very famous song from the movie Pinocchio which got every kid to Wish Upon a Star. So I’d end up wishing for a holiday during a school week, for a fever during exams, for rains, for attending a real Hogwarts, for a never ending-self refilling-glass of coconut water…you get the picture. Here’s a thought; would you still want something as much you wish for today later?

Cause of this post- Partial insomnia and hunger both of which made way for a tomato and cheese sandwich at 4a.m and itunes running over and over again the recently played songs one of which was this track that’s been running in the author’s  head for quite sometime now.

Monday Movie Marathon!! ♥

A Monday like no other indeed! With a mug of coffee and Sleepless in Seattle!!! And oh did I mention I absolutely LOVE romantic comedies!.. One place, no, the only other place apart from books where you always find happy endings and the best guys ever… I’m not the romantic kind, oh no I’d end up having a fit of laughter if reality was anywhere close, but movies I don’t mind, I totally love them!...Melodrama looks good as long as you know it’s made up. Hypocrisy? No, it is knowing what is and what will never be.

Whatever my views on the emotional sensitivities of the world in general, I totally love to watch it on screen or read about it in books, and genuinely like them even. There are a couple of movies that I’d watch over a million times and never once feel I’ve had enough (Ok maybe not a million but you get the idea). Oh no not the overdose of emotions with unnecessary weeping, unrealistic events, over the top icky romance, no that’s downright pathetic. Those are just plain dumb, exaggerated a little too much for normal sensibilities to live with.

Easy going movies with the perfect ending…♥

I love the idea of a lone heart with just a cat for company finding herself in the middle of a big adorable and loving family, a fiancé she always had a crush on and eventually finding the Mr. Right one Christmas (While You Were Sleeping).

How a single day, even if nothing seems to go right, can turn out to be the best ever (One Fine Day).

Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are always so good together, be it in ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ or ‘You’ve Got Mail’.

And the Classics! Witnessing Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet putting aside their pride and realize they’ve found in each other what they’ve always been looking for (Pride and Prejudice). When the proud Miss. Emma Woodhouse realizes that her heart, which she had been sure would never love, is no longer in her power, and her fate in this matter is now uncertain due to her own misdoings; the dangers of misconstrued romance! And then to see Mr. Knightley fix it all is a delight (Emma). The stately manors, the lush grounds, the carriages, the balls…the feel of 19^th century England…who’d think any different?!

A good start to my week surely, Monday morning blues? SO not for me!

Romancing the Rains.

Pitter patter they fell; drenching the world,

Soaking the mud the trees and men alike,

A varied set of emotions they unfurl

Of gloom, of hope, of simple bliss or love?

I’ve always had a super liking for the rains, right from my school days when we were made to wear those horrendous coloured raincoats, all through my teen years and now. All I feel like doing is stay cuddled up in my blanket and stare outside, something I found out a lot of us would love. And it makes me do one more thing I totally love.., write.

No more a child, no more a teen even(although that’s a bit difficult to sink in), and still the sound of the threatening thunder, the whiplashing lightening, the soft calming drizzle and the total downpour each hold something special…The weather has always known to be a metaphor for one’s thoughts, feelings, moods et all, for none the same..

And so our mood interprets the rains as well, but the one common ground is that it is always welcome.

Of Gloom and hope...Even for those who think rains are gloomy, sadness is still beautiful. The feeling that the sky knows you’re in pain and is crying along with you, and then goes on to give you the most splendid rainbow lit up across its bosom gives you the hope needed, to tell you it’s all alright, that the worst of storms come to an end and that it all happens for a reason, that in not giving you what you want the universe is getting you something even better…you only have to wait for the sunshine, and together with the glistening raindrops a rainbow is formed. And so we live on with this hope, following nature’s example.

Of the simple joys...For some like me, the simple task of watching the rain splash across your window while you sip at your hot chocolate, reading one of Jane Austen’s classic, makes it the best time ever spent. Having oneself for company, it’s a very satisfying sign of being completely content, at peace with yourself and surprisingly with the world at that very moment. If there is any feeling that would describe harmony, between mankind and nature, between the heavens and earth it is this. The smell of earth during the showers is divine; it is the smell of tranquility, of nature, of purity and is easily every human’s favourite. (So that implies… think about it)

Of love...And then there is that lot who simply love the rains for somehow... for some strange reason they find it very (for the loss of a better word) romantic. And no not just the ones who’re in love with someone, even those who’re in love with the idea of love, love rains… right! This mostly is due to our highly creative and entertaining cinema, apna Bollywood where we have from time immemorial witnessed the suave dashing handsome ‘hero’ and the shy rosy cheeked (no mention of makeup it would ruin the whole mood) ‘heroine’ dancing around trees in the rain, or just looking into each other’s eyes while it rains with that deeply-in-love look, basically an overdose of the lovey-dovey coochie-cooie sentiment they want to convey.. ok we get it, you’re madly in love…Paani ki barsaat se gaano ki barsaat aa jaati hai, as we croon the cheesiest of rain-themed songs.

So here we are, linking rains with romance and why not, it’s a time when we all want to feel warm and cuddle up, be it your soft toy, your dog or the person you love.

End of it all, each one of us loves a rainy day, we have all found immense joy in getting drenched against the elders’ warnings, standing alone facing the sky hugging the rain, riding our bikes in the drizzle, craving for garam pakoras, sipping hot tea, chocolate, coffee whatever your taste.. Easily the best time of the year, no summer days, no cool winters will ever be anticipated as much as this splish-splash season.

Rise and shine (:

For someone who lives in a ‘different time zone’, early mornings are time to go to bed, and especially during those wretched days we’re haunted by the ghost of the most unpleasant time of our student life.. EXAMS!! That’s when we turn nocturnal (most of us) and our whole schedule goes haywire.

So today, after a very unsuccessful attempt at studying, I sat gazing out my window. The breeze felt so good and made me feel  so fresh after hours of the head-breaking session with my books, I was tempted and so decided to go for a morning walk( :O), giving my darling Simba and Dad company.

Finding me up and waiting for him Simba was quite ecstatic. Gave me a very hearty, love filled good morning wish (slobbering technically but wth), and then we set out for the walk.

It was then I realized how totally refreshing and rejuvenating a simple morning walk is. We often read in books or papers about the sounds of the birds chirping, the smell of fresh dew, the fresh pollution free air but to experience it is something else. The trees look so green and welcoming, the chirping of the birds is music to the ear, and the air..aah nothing like the fresh morning air, making you feel healthy, just like that. The combination of all these, the cool breeze sweeping across your face while the warm sun rays touch gently is all that is needed to uplift your mood, a big feel good factor, a great start to a day, like a silent prayer reaching out from the smile that morning brings thanking the heavens for this beautiful day, the unpleasantness of yesterday long forgotten.

As I stroll about while Simba is busy finding the right places for doing the job he has to, I find other dog owners walking about with their pets, enjoying the morning along with them. And so I continued enjoying my morning when a few stray dogs caught my sight and I knew it was time to go back home else I would’ve been flying with the leash in my hand while my Simbu chased them. Headed back home, had a glass of lime water to make this morning perfect followed by buttered toast with nutella and coffee, read the paper (scanned actually).

Makes me want to get up at sunrise every day!! Ahem but yea I know myself too well ;)

Cheers to more such beautiful mornings!!

And now I have no idea what to do!! Still have hours to go before lunch time :P Hence the post! Although nature sure is lovely and deserves appreciation, God bless technology(read my laptop, the internet, my ipod and my T.V)! =)

A bundle of joy :)

There’s a general notion that people of all ages across the globe are in constant search of love. They seek love, they try to understand love, to comprehend its depths, and are ready to endure any amount of pain, heartaches, grief’s and woes for apparently it’s all worth it (yeah.. sad I know). If  that is the case, if having a taste of true , unconditional love is all that matters then surely people have been looking at the wrong places for it, either that or that fact that what they fancy is completely different.

I know what it is like to be loved unconditionally, just pure out and out innocent love, unchanging, unaffected by things regardless. It was January the 23^rd 2008, little did I realize that my life was in for a major change thanks to the adorable angel who walked in.  Little did I realize that from that day forth I had by me a friend who would always be there through hell or high seas, seeing me through all my bad days, showering me with the same love and affection at times when I didn’t deserve it as when I did, never turning away from me, always there when I was in need, when I was not at my best, when I was down and low, always there…, whose rapturous presence was like that ray of sunlight that shone through the stormy clouds and gave rise to a rainbow, unaltered by my soaring tempers, who cannot bear to see a tear in my eye, who randomly turns into a complete clown to my amusement, and shifts to being protective and possessive when others are around. That wonderful warm feeling that spreads all over you and erases every anguish and woe, makes you forget every awful thing, makes you feel marvelous, and so you smile, genuinely pleased, no matter how the day turned out to be, all this and so much more, when you know love in its most pristine form ever. I do, for I have with me my angel, the perfect embodiment of love and friendship, my best companion, my Simba. :)



Every single day this little miracle with paws makes my life a much better one, every single day this naughty (giant) fur-ball makes sure I have a smile on my lips, his silly antics amazing me completely and sending me into a fit of laughter. He’s the first to wish me good morning, he’s the first to welcome me back home (even if it’s just for 5 mins that I’ve stepped out), the only one who shows the sadness he feels when I leave him( again even if it’s for like a min). Due to him I’ve seen, felt, and received what the whole world is after, unequivocal, unconditional love.

For all those who have a pet dog, you’d know exactly what I’m talking about, for all those who think I’m a deranged lunatic (that you never had a pet is a given) you don’t know what you’re losing out on. This isn’t just for kids, or animal lovers, this transcends all boundaries, specifications, generalizations yada yada. This one will never let you down, never! And I bet you wouldn’t have felt as good as you do when there is a dog that completely dotes on you, it’s totally out of the world to have that, the best feel-good factor ever. Seriously, get yourself a pet, if not for anything else then just for the fact that it does you good!

I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat. For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that.