Woke up this morning after some more rains overnight. Temperatures had dropped down considerably. The clouds – especially in the north had covered the sky and there was a light breeze. Changing up my routine, took the motorbike out early in the morning. It felt a bit chilly above 50mph. Great temperatures for riding!!
It was 1982. I was in tenth grade. My sister was in eighth and my brother in fifth. Early that year, every loudspeaker in any event in the neighborhood worth the flickering tube-lights that adorned them had the “Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai” songs blaring at decibel levels that would make a steam engine back off. There was a particular one – “Hoga Tumse Pyara Kaun” that had completely gotten into the heads of us three siblings. We used to sing the song all day long.
The lilting tune was set to the rhythm of a steam engine’s motion. I have not seen the movie – or any that you can name – but I can imagine the scene had a man and woman singing on the roof of a train or something like that. I may not know my movies but I do know my steam engines. The instruments bring out a steam engine’s sounds extremely well while keeping the mellifluous flow of the words.
In our house, while growing up, watching movies (specially Hindi movies) was a big no no. Listening to Hindi songs was frowned upon grimly. Parents called them “lareylappa“! Not sure how to translate that – uncouth? boorish? lout? But this song got to my mom too!! I recollect she mentioning she had heard that song on her way to school and the tune was nice.
That was all the license we needed to sing the song whole day long!!
Val and I put in an early morning hill run. After that we were having coffee and the discussion somehow went to one of her friends who is a devout Christian and she was talking about how much of logistical planning she has to do to be able to attend different masses during the week.
“Life is so much easier for the heathens.” Val concluded!
I was rolling on the floor, laughing!!
