Entangled in the web

After my college, life hasn’t been beautiful. Lots of time to kill but there is practically nothing to do or that is what I feel. I’m just aimlessly idling in bed or in front of the computer, signing-in to the virtual world. That’s it. The only good thing that has happened during these days is that I’ve started reading books. Thanks to my friend without whom I wouldn’t have started. He influenced me in a sense.

Computer and internet play a major role in our lives these days. It has actually crept into our system that we are dependent on them so badly. Whenever I misplace something or finding something becomes difficult, I wonder if I had a google.com or a Ctrl+F shortcut key… This shows how dependent I am on computers/internet. I’m addicted!

On one hand these social networking sites help us to keep in touch with our pals but on the other it has also enslaved us. Like all the other technologies, internet has its own advantages and disadvantages. Unfortunately our human mind easily succumbs to the disadvantages. I don’t know whom to blame – the technology or my monkey mind!? I should find out a method to come out of this addiction. Is there any rehabilitation centre for these addictions?

Every night I say to myself, “Ok I should stop this. I’m not going online tomorrow”, but the first thing I do is that. I go online saying, “I’m just gonna check my mail. That’s it. Its gonna take few minutes.” Later I realise that it has been more than an hour, I’m not checking mails but I’m somewhere else, entangled in the web! May be I have a very weak will power.

Though being online, browsing and reading, downloading stuffs, chatting etc. have helped me a lot but it is taking away my sleep – sleeping at odd times. I’m missing all the fun in the outside world. I knew Obama was going to have a new pet even before he actually bought it but didn’t know that my neighbour died, I knew it only two days after! I also miss one or two odd cricket matches that I used to play with my friends. The casual talk with my family and friends. I used to do a lot in those days, not now! I miss them!

There should be a way out to stop this! But the question is, can I? Any remedies guys?

-A frustrated addict yelling for help.

Officially the last day…

 

…in Amrita School of Engineering. Four years went by so fast, especially the final semester. The initial days are still fresh in my mind. Had some wonderful experiences in these four years, both good and bad. Learnt a lot from this college. Today was the farewell day.  Our juniors had arranged a wonderful function. Everyone had a great time – posing for photos with their friends, loved ones, teachers, pulling other’s legs and many other activities also. There were some wonderful  miss you all speeches, musical treat by Joseph and Nakul (two persons whom I expect to be famous in the future) and some snacks to end it. Last few moments to cherish.  And at the end of the day we really had fun! On this occasion, I want to thank everyone for making these four years memorable. Thank you guys! 

 

Amrita Vishwavidya Peetham

 

 

Though officially today is the last day, tough times are ahead, especially the project review. Should work hard .  Hopefully everything ends well! 

 

 

 

Cheers.

 

Good day!

 

PS: Wishes to the Master Blaster on his 36th birthday. Wish that you become fitter as each day goes by and play for India atleast till the  2011 WC! 

Who will win the IPL Season 2?

 

I support Mumbai Indians forever!

Hail Mumbai Indians! Hail the God of Cricket!

-Das

Khamosh Raat – Silent Night

 

In this post I’m trying to review a song by A.R.Rahman.

The two times Academy Award winner A.R.Rahman, our own Mozart has been reinventing the way music is being composed in the Indian film industry. He started a revolution which not only exposed western music to Indian music lovers but also made the West recognise the beauty of Indian music. 

The song which I have taken now, Khamosh Raat, is from the Bollywood flick, Thakshak. This is a typical ARR album, consisting of songs of various genres. Some of the songs are originally from Tamil movies. It is a listener’s delight. The only off song is Toofan Ki Raat. 

The song Khamosh Raat is a very soft, melodic song. This song is sung by Roop Kumar Rathod. The lyrics is by Mehboob. I find it hard to determine the genre of the song. 

The song starts with the strumming of guitar. It seems as if the guitarist was learning to play the notes and Rahman recorded that. I have heard that Rahman records every sound that materialises in his studio during the recording session. 

Slowly the singer starts. The tune seems simple. The song gradually picks momentum. When it starts there is no percussion as such, only jingles and backing up by guitar riffs, some bells and violins and a flute (for about a second). I love the part (1:27) when the singer sings Yeh Sachh Hai Ya Sapna! 

The drum beats start slowly with jingles still continuing in the background-a typical Rahman style. There will be a base instrument which will continue till the end- here it is jingles – all the other instruments are added one top of the other. On the whole, a musical treat for the ear. This can be found in most of his songs if not all. 

The tune of this song is simple but complex when one looks into its intricacies. In most of Rahman songs there will not be a set pattern. Usually it is like this- first stanza will have a tune, followed by a background score followed by the second and third stanza which will have exactly the same tune. But you cannot expect this in ARR’s song. In some songs he would have repeated the same tune, but no one would have known. This is mainly because of his layering- the way he adds instruments as the song progresses.

Coming back to the song, the singer’s voice is kind of husky which suits the mood of the song.  The song progresses smoothly where drum beats and other instruments are added one after another.

After the first stanza there is a small BGM with Hawaiian guitar. It is simple. The tune after this BGM for the lines, Jhoonki Jhoonki Palkein Jab Uthi, I have no words to describe. Totally different from the previous stanza. You must listen to them- it gives a very distinct feeling.  The tune makes the listener jump in joy (I was excited). A good orchestration can be found. It transforms from a somber to a pleasant mood. The sudden female chorus singing the swarams Sa Pa Pa Ma Ga Ma Ga Ma Pa… Ga Ma Ga Sa Sa Ri Sa Da Sa Ri is surprising.

As the chorus fades and eventually stops, Hawaiian guitar plays the swarams or tune which forms the second BGM. Everything except the pads comes to a sudden and unexpected halt, when Roop sings Jeene Ka Tha Hum Mein Dum Par Nahi Tha Koi Hum Dum. Good piece of poetry says my friend. You can hear the female chorus and the pads in the background. At about 5:23 the song reaches its high part (crescendo) with violins playing in the background. The Hawaiian guitar again plays the swarams in the background and when the song reaches the end, male backing vocal joins, singing the swarams previously sung by the female chorus. 

The song fades out. You feel like listening to it once more? Go on, enjoy and try to discover subtleties which words fail to describe. 

Cheers! 

Good day folks. 

PS: This is my first attempt in writing a review for a song as a whole. So please bear with any mistakes, especially technical terms. I would be pleased to read your comments.

Birthday Wishes to the music legend

Today is the Mozart of Madras A.R.Rahman’s birthday.

Birthday Wishes to the one who is considered as God of Indian music, Birthday wishes Sir.

One of the millions of Rahmaniacs,

Das

Calvin and Hobbes on Financial Crisis

Now a days wherever you go and whomever you meet, everyone talks about financial crisis and recession. 

Calvin and Hobbes on Financial Crisis

Salute the brave hearts!

Hats off to the NSG commandos and the other policemen who risked their lives for us! Thank you so much guys. The Mumbai incident just proved that if we are united we can fight terrorism, no matter how fierce they are! Lets pray for all those who sacrificed their lives for us. We owe you a lot!

Hats off again!

Let peace prevail everywhere!

Ghajini – Music Review

Ghajini is obviously Aamir Khan’s most awaited movie of this year. The music was released on November 21, and the movie is expected to release on December 25.

Music is by A.R.Rahman and lyrics by Prasoon Joshi. This is my review of Ghajini.

Soundtrack consists of

1. Guzarish

2. Aye Bachchu

3. Kaise Mujhe

4. Behka

5. Latoo

Guzarish

This song sung by Javed Ali, is a soothing melody. The tune seems to be simple and is surely catchy. It has already become a hit. This song suits Javed Ali’s voice – good choice by Rahman. I guess this is equivalent to ‘Suttum Vizhi’ of Tamil version.

Remarks: Good melody.

Aye Bachchu

This song is sung by Suzanne. It is modern. The starting of the song sounds like ‘Mere Buddy’ from Bhoothnath, but I would say it is just a coincidence, because as the song progress you cannot find any similarity. And remember music is by A.R.Rahman – he never copies! It is obviously a dance number and i guess it is equivalent to ‘X Machi Y Machi’

Remarks: Modern.

Kaise Mujhe

Sung by Benny Dayal and Shreya Ghoshal, is a slow song. Is it romantic? (I’m not sure) The tune is not that simple. The orchestration is good. Shreya Ghoshal, though joins after half of the song, has done a wonderful job as always. She has an amazing voice which improves day by day! And Benny Dayal, why does he sound different every time I listen to him?

Remarks: Not so romantic but pleasing.

There is also an instrumental version of Kaise Mujhe.

Behka

This is sung by Karthik. It is stylish with lots of variations. Karthik is singing for Rahman after so many years. He has improved a lot. This song is totally different. The promo of this song had Aamir in six different looks! I guess this song is equivalent to ‘Oru Malai’ of Tamil version.

Remarks: A different Jazz.

Latoo

This song sung by Shreya Ghoshal is a peppy number. The melody is catchy. This song proves that Shreya Ghoshal is versatile. Oh man! She has an amazing voice. Nothing much to say about this song. I think this is equivalent to ‘Rasathulla’ of Tamil version

Remarks: Peppy number.

Ghajini is a commercial Bollywood album sans ‘Punjabi beats’ (that makes it different from the rest)! You cannot expect more than this for a commercial film. Guzarish has already become a hit and the rest I’m sure will become popular before the movie releases (more than a month left). This is obviously not Rahman’s best musical album but it will surely fit the situation. Listen to it as many times as you can and it will grow on you. Like every other A.R.Rahman fan I am waiting to experience that magical touch which is hidden right now.

 

My rating : 3.5/5

Buy the songs from T-Series Webstores.

 

Good Day folks!

 

India’s declining culture

I recently got an email (a forward) from one of my friends (Devettan). This made me realise how great our culture ‘was’.  

 

 

Lord Macaulay’s address to the British Parliament 1835

 Let me quote Lord Macaulay’s address to the British Parliament in 1835 regarding the greatness of our motherland. 

 “I have travelled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such  wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not  think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very  backbone this nation, which is her  spiritual and cultural heritage, and, therefore, I  propose  that we  replace her old  and ancient  education system, her culture, for if the  Indians think  that  all that is foreign and  English is good and greater than their own , they will lose their self-esteem, their native self-culture and they will become what we want them, a truly a dominated nation.”

This was India in 1835 – the most prosperous, happy and peaceful country just before the British adopted this strategy and destroyed India. India was looted – not only her wealth but also the moral values, self-esteem which were more valuable (Indians were renowned for these).

 

As Macaulay said, our culture is our backbone – which is at stake now. Indian history shows that we have embraced the culture of all the invaders who ruled us. All cultures have both good and bad aspects, and it is up to us to adopt the good and ignore the bad. We Indians right now are aping the West. It is high time we realise the greatness of our culture and stop following the West blindly – instead take the good ones from them and improve our already great culture. In order to make India great again we have to bring back those lost values somehow. It may take time but we must do it.

 

We can! We Must!

 

Good Day!

 

A memorable test match

At the end of 5th day of the 4th test match, the scorecard reads

India 441&295

Australia 355 &209

Result India won by 172 runs

Series India won 2-0

What a memorable sight!

 

India vs. Australia, 4^th test match, is indeed a great match to remember. It was completely India’s, starting from day one. It was Laxman’s 100^th test match, Saurav’s (Dada) last test match, Sachin (God) made his 40^th century-first batsman to make 40 hundreds and Harbhajan (Bhajji) took his 300^th test wicket (3^rd Indian)! (So many individual records). And most importantly India registered an emphatic victory and also won the four test match series 2-0! This was Australia’s first series defeat since the 2005 Ashes tour of England. This win also pushes India to the second position in the latest ICC Test rankings and is only 13 points away from first. Don’t these make this match a memorable one?

 

In the Australian camp, everything went wrong. Critics all round the world will look at this series and wonder whether Australia has lost their aura. Questions have already started to rise about this un-Australian way of approach to the game. Cricket Australia (CA) has the reputation of kicking out players who don’t play well. So will this be Ponting’s last match? (I wish). We will have to wait and see. As Ian Chappell said, the upcoming New Zealand’s tour to Australia might help the criticisms to die out.

 

Anyways Indians played well and was rewarded. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is now with the Indian team after they lost it four years back on the same Nagpur ground. 

 

Yeah! We beat the Champions.

 

Now all are eagerly waiting for the England’s tour.