Friday, November 25, 2011

Rhythm Correct!!!

I am a Kolaveri ADDICT!!

Yes Like Many Many Others hooked on to this brilliantly addictive song, I too am just not able to get the song out of my head or my system!!! Since Nov 19th 12.30 in the afternoon, I have been constantly humming….
White skin-u girl-u girl-u,
girl-u heart-u black-u.
Eyes-u eyes-u meet-u meet-u, my future dark-u.
Why this Kolaveri Kolaveri Kolaveri Di,
Why this Kolaveri Kolaveri Kolaveri Di…

"Kolaveri Di", although already a rage, it seems to be on a record breaking spree. In less than a day, the song had got more than a million hits on YouTube and so far has registered 4,052,189 hits!!!! In fact I for one have bookmarked it both at home and at work and am singing it my head 24/7!! :D



It’s almost like a new anthem, a new catch phrase for everyone. The lyrics are super easy to remember, the tune catchy and these I believe are all the every reasons for its immense success. I have been trying to write about this Song all morning, but all I could do was keep singing along and dancing to it!!!

The promo of the song was released on YouTube Nov 16 and spread like a viral, thanks to its funny, nonsense Tamglish (Tamil-English). I have been going completely gaga over the foot-tapping music ever since and I don’t seem to be able get enough of this song sung by Tamil star Dhanush for his film "3", which is being directed by his wife Aishwarya, the gorgeous daughter of Tamil superstar RAJNIKANT. The song has been composed by a charming cutely 18-year-old kid, Anirudh Ravichander.

Through his voice, his demeanor, charm and boyish innocence, Dhanush succeeded in creating, establishing and strengthening a Direct Bond with both his fans and converting many like me into his FANS! Bringing smiles, laughter and rhythm instantly to the face...

Many people have even started putting up lyrics of this song as their status on the various social networking platforms. So don't get confused and shocked if you see 'Eyes-u full-aa tear-u, empty life-u, Girl-u come-u, life reverse gear-u’ as someone's status on Facebook or Twitter!!! Though I will admit, it’s easier said than done considering the number of non southies, singing and grooving to Kolaveri D!

So why is “Why this Kolaveri di?” ? 
  1. It's a song fit for bathroom singers.
  2. It’s simple beats make it more catchy.
  3. Dhanush's simple, and easy description of heartbreak through Kolaveri Di is extremely funny and never fails to make one smile.
  4. The video features Anirudh, Dhanush, Aishwarya and Shruti in the recording studio. Minus the fake sets and made-up expressions even the video of Kolaveri Di is interesting!
  5. Dhanush stuck to his boy next door image and has sung the song with same innocence.

I feel that the simplicity of the song actually has worked wonders for it. 'Kolaveri...' for my non Tamizh friends, is not "murderous rage" per say as quoted widely. Though this is the literal meaning, in this context, it is an emotive response of a guy who is lost in love and is feeling the brunt of the flip side of a love. Thank you SB, for the exact translation!! :D  

In this case, it is a more of a humorous tone and not rage per say. I think the lyrics are so simple and the theme is so generic, that people across all walks of life can actually relate to the meaning.  It’s now getting used as verbiage in almost any walk of life, social, political...everywhere!! Absolutely Tremendous… Its soo endearing, it just isn’t leaving the just not leaving the lips and the mind and the system.

A frnd of mine on Facebook has brilliantly correlated Kolaveri to our new SING KING! :P
Sharad pawar....

"Why this Kolveri Kolveri Kolaveri Di...?
goingu homu...took a step u...slap came out of nowhereu.. .
ears ring u...cheeks redd u...eyes full of tears u..
i am pawar..sha rad pawar...but harvindar' s slap had power u...
cheeks hurting u.. nose bleeding u. ..finally my face is straigh tu. ..
why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri Sardar JI ?".. :)..




One of the biggest achievements of this song is that for once I have seen so much unity on social networking sites with regards to appreciation for a Tamizh song (whether justified or not is a different question). In the process, it has created a healthy interaction and proved yet again that music crosses barriers irrespective of language. And More over, The singer is Rajinikanth's son-in-law, doesn't that say it all? LOLOL.
~Listening to dis Song-u Song-u
My accent-u change-u change-uWhy this Kolaveri Kolaveri Kolaveri Di~~

Flop song??? Defnitely NOT!!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

WINTER LOVE!


My mum is unbelievably CUTE. She comes up with the most implausible reasons to NOT have to sit in my car with me. “Take your Appa along, no??”, “I have so much work to do.” “I have sat in the car before nah, with your Appa.”. But today I somehow forced, threw a tantrum, and literally begged her and made sure she got into my car and that to with me! Anddd… She did, although she sat holding the door, stuck to edge of the seat, constantly shouting at me to 2) reduce the speed, b) to leave the damn BB alone (LOLOL) and kept silently praying to all the Gods and Goddess to somehow bring this little excursion of ours to an end!

But all of a sudden she was all excited and happy. Reason being she looked outside the window and up at the Sky… The Sky was absolutely GORGEOUS, it was in fact DELECTABLE and SCRUMPTIOUS. Ranging from hues of Black, blue, red and a pinch of Yellow, it was a breathtaking sight. As I gazed up at the lovely winter skies, I knew what I needed to write about next! WINTER!



I LOVE winter. It’s is one of my favorite seasons and I often wish it could last even longer. Before you accuse me of being crazy, hear me out. Let me give the raison d'ĂȘtre as to why Winter Rocks:

Reason No. 1 - I am actually not very fond of *Air Conditioning*. In fact I complete detest it and avoid using it at most times! Conditioning the AIR and making it unbelievably cold during summers seems to be one of the few standard Dubain characteristics. A chosen few people I know blast the AC in their CARS, Houses and Offices to the point wherein I start shivering and my teeth begin to rattle. Come Winter and automatically people Stop, Okay I am being too optimistic here, but they at least reduce using it and start leaving the windows Open! BLISS!

Reason No. 2 - We live in an age of speed and instant gratification and it’s something I am usually quite comfortable with and that is something I have written about on a regular basis as well, but with winter, EVERYTHING slows down. Evening relaxation starts much earlier than in summer, summer and some more summer. (Considering how Dubai only seems to have to have HEAT all the time. Does Dubai even see any Spring or autumn?) So it’s true, you have MORE time! Don’t ask me to explain the whole Science of it but I’m sure you all know it as well! :P But having said that it’s not that I use the extra time as such, but I KNOW  for a fact that if at ALL I need it, I HAVE it!! Having said that I have been sitting late at work for the past few weeks, so that’s where all my extra time and energy has been put to use (?) or should I say put to waste! :P

Reason No. 3Tell me one thing that is nicer than curling up on the sofa under a blanket!!! Add a Sofa/Beanbag/Lots of cushions on the floor, and blanket and then throw in DVD or two and what do you get?? HAPPINESS! Throw in a person to curl up with and now you’re talking absolute bliss!!!! LOL But I guess I will have to make do with Mr. F, my trusty teddy for the time being.

Reason No. 4 - I have this constant urge to get out, be out, relish the pressure of being out, “enjoying the weather”, walking, breathing, taking in the VIEW and the AIR… With winter, you have a VALID and ready-made excuse to do just that and Not SWEAT!

Reason No. 5 - I love wearing clothes and layering myself with it. Covering myself UP! And while I may sound like admitting to have a very low self esteem in the body image department (BID), it doesn’t change the fact that deciding what to wear in winter is FUN and those who know me know that I have no issues what so ever with the BID!! Sweaters, shawls, cardigans, coats, scarves, and gloves (I need to desperately get some!)… YAY! And on really cold days (I am hoping for some in Mid – December) I intend to dress in all black and pretend I am from Afghanistan or better still a NINJA!! YEP NINJA IT IS! Hahahahah.

Reason No. 6I love winter foods. Warm, Hot, spicy with oodles of flavor and spice. Steaming cups of goosebumps inducing Chai’s, crispy pakodas, delicious samosas, baked pastas, Chilly Strawberry Ice creams (SLURP!), hearty soups, winter salads and more – Its Basically LOVE served on a Plate with some more love!

Reason No. 7 - Winter is also the Perfect time to take it EASY! To give yourself a break and lay back… It’s THAT time of the year. With the daytime reduced and the overall feeling of hibernation and low energy in the air, I think we shouldn’t give ourselves a hard time with all the “HAVE TO DO’s” in our lives. That way IF and WHEN we do manage to get something done, we can feel the *afterglow* of a job well done!

Reason No. 8 - I love winter, as it IS the holiday season!!! The National Holidays, Christmas Time and the NYE! I love the overall build up and expectations of the close of the year and the beginning of a BRAND NEW YEAR!

Reason No. 9 - I love having showers. Twice… even Thrice in the day would do me good! No one can disagree that when it’s winter, its dark and cold, and a super long hot shower is absolutely DIVINE!!! Hot showers in summer are an ABSOLUTE waste! I mean who wants to sweat while taking a shower? But winters are different, it means having a shower in complete luxury, slowly turning down the cold water so as to make the water positively scalding and hot. Getting pink, soft and clean!!! :D :D

Reason No. 10 - And My favorite favorite Reason! I love winters for the long long drives with old Hindi music playing in the background and the long walks on the beach! The wind blowing in my hair, the soft smell of the seas, the quiet, the calm and the peace! Curling my toes into the wet slippery sands, looking at the rays of the beautiful red orange setting sun, and smiling to myself while sending a quick *Thank you* to HIM… Standing there silently thinking to myself that this is all for ME, just ME! Well, A girl can dream can’t she? :P

So, what do you think? WINTER is AWESOME isn’t it?? (I for one haven’t included the chapped lips, the dry skin and the other negatives in this one just so that I can think for a while this Season is ALMOST PERFECT! :D )

*Thank You, Ma for being the One to spark the idea of exploring WHY I love WINTER soo much! Love YOU! 

Monday, November 14, 2011

ARR... ARR... ARR!

In my previous *Writer's Block Breaking* blog entry, I had mentioned that the only way I could get over my brief numbness was by finding that inspiration myself. And what Can I say I seem to have found it, in my Favorite place yet again! My MUSIC!


Music is a wonderful means of connecting with the ONESELF and with the SUPREME POWER. What One cannot express through words can be easily done through music. Listening to music with closed eyes, makes us appreciate it as an expression and celebration of the Omnipotent.

Clearly my life seems to be easily adjusting and moving towards scenarios worth have Background music and while in this subconscious search I stumbled upon the soundtrack of this Hindi Film which i will be writing about today.

The Track playing in my Appa's Car was Different! Despite asking him over and over again, which movie's song that was, he refused to tell, he said GUESS! And all of us spend the rest of the 4 minutes of song thinking of all the possible possibilities. And just as the song was about to end, I said "ROCKSTAR?" and Appa Smiled and So Did I!! A Big Broad Smile!



Why? Well, It isn’t that often that you get to listen to *Fresh* Music composed by the MAN, AR Rahman. He is something ELSE! The very fact that He elects his projects very carefully and does such few movies, everyone begins to keep an eye OUT for it or rather a EAR OUT for it!

Despite the Movie being called ROCKSTAR, there is just one song that truly is a ROCK anthem! And for this I am thankful, I am not much of a rock person and I was pleasantly surprised listening to this magnificent blend of minimal ‘rock’, phenomenally evocative numbers ranging from folk, sufism, and alternating to electro-pop and some gypsy pieces as well!!! And let me add it is an absolute DELIGHT! 

There’re so many delicate nuances, turns, bends and beautiful undertones in all its 14 songs, that its just not possible to JUDGE or pass a decision in ONE go! What it does is demand attention, time and an extra effort! With no remixes or reprises to speak of, it is most definitely MY dream album. The richness of the album lies in its details, and if you play the tracks nonchalantly, without paying much of attention to it, you will MOST certainly miss out. But if you like me, will keep listening to the album over and over again, you will undoubtedly fall in LOVE and will in turn be highly rewarded!

Mohit Chauhan is BRILLANT! His voice is like silk and oozes flair without ever over exaggerating or over powering. The Beauty of his voice and the emotions is clearly seen in Aur Ho. AAR has yet again managed to bring out the haunting and traumatic beauty of *Satrangi re* from Dil se. The passion, the pain, the helplessness and the general feel of this song stays with you long long after you have heard it! It's a CLASS apart!

The Paradoxical Sheher Mein is a beauty… I am partial to this particular number partially because this was the song that got me introduced to the album. It's a song within a song and Chauhan’s voice dominates and flows in the most beautiful fashion.

The opening song, Phir Se Ud Chala… is a quintessential Rahman number with wide soundscenery, lots of textures, timber and fragile harmonies. Towards the end, it routes into the electro-pop realm effortlessly and even without us knowing.

Another one of my favorites is the quirky, almost fairytale like Hawaa Hawaa… that features gypsy music with bits of flamenco is pleasantly surprising and perhaps the best eccentric number.

Other memorable tracks include the evocative Kun Faya Kun… a peaceful and melodic qawwali number sung by Rahman, Javed Ali and Mohit Chauhan. Jo Bhi Main… takes the psychedelic route and takes you to a different world altogether!

Nadaan Parinde, has some very interesting lyrics which can be interpreted in multiple fashions and if listened to careful, will definitely tug you heart strings… Tango For Taj another gypsy track with Spanish guitar and foot tapping beats.

AAR's music is beautiful reflection of *Slow and Steady wins the race* He is absolutely in no hurry! Listen to the Album like I did, without listening to anything else and let the magic unfold and take over you! Let loose and You will LOVE it! AAR has an iron grip over all the very nuances of the soundtrack and it clearly emits its brilliancy and reestablishes his power, persona and stature in the industry!

Never Once, has AAR, ever created a song that instantly catches the attention of one and all, he creates music that grows on you, and once it does its absolutely difficult to let go! This one is definitely all set to be a CLASSIC!

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I will meet you there.”

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

OFF the Grid!


Yet again I have been away from the world of blogging not because I wanted to, but like always, because I had to. Many things happened during the past couple of weeks, My sister getting selected to compete in the Miss Kerala 2011 competition (One among the 20 hottest women from Kerala :P Quite a feat, isn't it?), me taking a week's break from work to take over the reins of the house, cooking galore, My Bday!!!, midnight surprise :D, My Bestie's Bday!!!, learning the ways and means of a certain CLKP :P, Big Boss is back!!!, working from home on tedious and tiresome Projects, my sister going on to Win the coveted Miss Beautiful Eyes 2011 Title, my 80’s and 90’s themed Party, getting back to Work, Moving in a NEW office, Diwaliiii, Eid and what not!!!!

Considering all this and more, now can you actually blame me for not being able to write???

In fact it's more than a month since I watched my favorite Criminal Minds!! :O That proves it all doesn't it? No, but I did manage to catch up on three episodes back to back to back on one of the EID holidays giving myself a well deserved treat of feasting on my Double chocolate tower delight! Shemaar Moore is a League apart, isn’t it? Sigh! LOLOL :P ;)


But all that apart I have been desperate to get back to writing with vengeance, but all times I decide to do that one thing leads to another and I end up not being able to write. I have just not been able to put pen to paper or key in on my used and abused key board and whip our something new, interesting and ME! So I turned to reading, reading anything and everything in order to get a grip on myself and WRITE! It did not seem to be the IDEAL way out‚ but reading about things, anything or something in particular, say a thing you are going through is definitely something to feel a little content about. It makes you feel you are not alone‚ you’re not crazy and that you are not the only racer on the track!

It is often said that writing is never as easy as reading‚ and I agree. But it wasn’t always like that, I always seemed to have a way with words, and apparently I still do, but off late it has sort of been sidelined to just writing emails to clients and writing Conceptual Design Statements for OTHERS!

When I read something and so many things come to my mind, I am sure a lot of things come into yours as well‚ It’s like your imagination is slowly but steadily taking total control over me‚ but then when I actually hold a pen in my hand‚ I go blank‚ I feel numb‚ stuck, I feel as if I have nothing to say. I guess this is what they call the WRITER’s BLOCK.

It has happened to me numerous times, but I have never let it affect me for more than a week or two weeks maximum. I may not be a writer to the world‚ but for me I am a writer wholeheartedly. Sometimes‚ creativity takes a back seat for no apparent reason‚ and no matter how hard you try‚ you just cannot figure out what is it that’s stopping you. I guess this happens in every type of creativity‚ be it writing‚ painting, dancing or any other form of art. 

Psychoanalyst Edmund Bergler, first described the ‘writer’s block’ condition in 1947. The reasons for it were many like illness‚ depression‚ the end or beginning of a project‚ or it could simply be a lack of inspiration!! What was it for me? Illness? No, I am fit as a fiddle, touch wood! Depression! I don’t see how? Lack of inspiration! Uhmm I hope not! End or beginning of a project? LOL! No comments!

Somebody once said‚ “The problem with reality is that there is no background music.” I could not agree more to this! I for one am a person who is forever and always listening to some music or the other and it almost always happens that when I am in a particular mood, the mood is reflected in the type of Music I listen to as well. Most times its not even done intentionally, it just so happens automatically that is playing on someone’s mobile or the car next to mine at a signal! I would like to think of them as SIGNS! Signs that let us which direction to take, what to do when we don’t seem a way out of a situation. It would really be absolutely wonderful if only music were playing in our background at all the different situations that we pass through on a daily basis… It would fill in the gap often left out in conversations, in our minds and most importantly help me UNBLOCK my BLOCK! But NO, unfortunately…… There is no background music being played in reality‚ and there never will be. So the only thing left to do is to take the tough way out and overcome the writer’s block the way we like.

So‚ we will have to find that inspiration by ourselves‚ and overcome all sort of obstructions. So I think the only way to get through the writer’s block phase‚ is to just keep writing and let nothing stop you. But it’s easier said than done isn’t it? :P