11 May 2023

An evening with Iqbal Bano

Iqbal Bano – the Malika-e-Ghazal – had the perfect voice for classical ghazals. Born in India, she married and moved to Pakistan. Sang some unforgettable numbers in her career.

Did you know April 21st is known as the Black Sari Day in Pakistan. Look up the reason – how she rebelled against the military rule that was curbing women’s freedom to dress as they willed and as a result was banned from any national programs by the (military) government.

This rendition is of a poem written by none other than Mirza Ghalib.

“Taskin ko hum na roen
Jo zauq-e-nazar miley,
Huraan-e-khuld mein teri
Surat magar miley.
Apni gali mein mujhko na kar
Dafan baad-e-qatal,
Mere pate se khalaq ko
Kyon tera ghar miley?”

Roughly translated…

I will not be crying for comfort
If I behold your approving eyes
Should I perceive your countenance
Among the virgins of paradise

Do not bury me in your own street
After you have slayed me (with your beauty)
Why guide others to your address
When they come looking for me?

Category: Music/Poetry | LEAVE A COMMENT
8 May 2023

Beautiful Alpha Loop

This is the aspect of Atlanta I love the most. The greenery. Also the aspect of the old house I miss the most.

Jay Jay and I went out this morning to walk in the Alpha Loop. It had rained slightly thru the night and the trees were still dripping raindrops as some light breeze wafted thru. That rain drenched green color everywhere was breathtakingly mesmerizing. There were numerous birds chirping and trilling all around us. We stopped many times in the walk so that I could listen to the cacophony of all the bird tweets.

I was expecting many more people this morning in the Loop. I was wondering if there was more rain in the forecast that I might have missed. It eventually dawned upon me that it is a Monday today.

Ah! The bliss of not having to go to office in the morning!!!

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15 April 2023

Rewind-Pause: When we were young and the kids were even younger

This was a quick get together we had in the Chinese restaurant in Taj Bengal. I think it was Eric’s first visit to India. Nearly 20 years back!

If I remember correctly, the folks who had showed up included Debatosh, Sharmistha, Kaushik, Arpita, Avijit, Rakhi, Aditi, Eric, Piyali and myself.

I am trying to see if I can recognize the kids – I think they are – from stereo left to right – Avijit’s son, Aditi’s daughter, Kaushik’s daughter, Debatosh’s son and Aditi’s son.

Does anybody remember what instigated Aditi to break into that Bharat Natyam pose?

Category: Time Travel | 2 Comments on Rewind-Pause: When we were young and the kids were even younger
8 April 2023

Rewind-Pause: Flashback from December 1986

We have the IIT Madras Alakananda hostel (our year) get together going on in San Diego now. Some incredible arrangements made by our local hosts – Ranga (S. Rangarajan and his wife Maya), GB (G. Balakrishnan) and Mani (Mani Krishnan).

Ranga, Madhav and I were reminiscing their trip to Durgapur back in December 1986. Madhav and I were headed to IIT Kharagpur for the Inter-IIT meet. Ranga (from Kolkata then) and Madhav had come over to our house.

We gathered my Durgapur friends one fine morning – Mousumi, Debatosh, Avijit, Aditi and Baisakhi and all of us made a trip to Shantiniketan.

This is one of the few pics that I have from that trip.

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