"Rang aur Bhang ki mast"

Kem cho? Mazaa ma? So, Vidya Balan had a clean sweep this year winning all the awards including the national award. Well, I think she deserved it more for her daring to take up such a bold role in the movie Dirty Picture. Her acting was beyond excellence too! Good job Vidya. Finally, Bollywood is offering women centered roles to heroines. An average day today. Sometimes a person just grows on you. That's exactly what is happening in my life these days. When I first met her, did not quite get along, thought she was just not "my" type. But the more I interact with her, the more I am understanding her. In fact, I look forward to meeting her now. Isn't that something? Moral of the story - Do not jump to conclusions about anyone. Remember the mongoose and the snake story?
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Happy Holi friends! The festival of colors is finally here. Bye,bye winter. Hello, Spring! Mention the word Holi to any spirited North Indian and it brings a big smile to their face. To them its a vibrant festival, the joys of which has no bounds. This is one festival, that I have never understood or participated in, so far in my life. What is the big idea of getting wet and getting all covered by colored powder? As, I understand, this is done in order to break all barriers of discrimination so that everyone looks the same and universal brotherhood is reaffirmed. One simple reason to participate in this festival. A beautiful thought indeed! Holi as we know, is associated with raaslila, the dance that Lord Krishna carried out in Vrindavan with his devotees known as gopis. Holi comes from the word "hola" which means to offer prayer to the almighty as thanksgiving for good harvest.
     Holi to me means "rang aur bhang ki masti". Rang means color and Bhang is a natural intoxicant. Bhang adds a kick, but an overdose can take the fun out of your Holi. Everyone wants to be the first one to apply color to the other. Since both men and women take part in this festival, it constitutes to be a very sexy event as loved ones drown each other with "gulal" - colored water. Sweets are distributed to people who come across colored powder. Sometimes people act a little irresponsibly as they are high on "Bhang". So we hear people wishing each other not only a fun Holi but also a safe Holi. Temples are beautifully decorated with the idol of Radha placed on swings. Devotees sing devotional songs. I plan to play Holi this Saturday at the local Durga temple with some of my friends. There is a first time for everything. "Holi Hai"! 

Life unfair?

Vanakkam friends. Beautiful weekend with friends, friends and friends. Some great conversation, food and dance. Loved it! One thing I realised today. It is really easy to do free style dancing, but classical dance requires a lot of practice. As I was dancing I had a thought. If classical steps are used in contemporary Bollywood songs, it might give birth to a new form of dance that might be a hit. Shhh! I am trying something, that I cannot share with all you just as yet. I promise I will share it by the end of this month. So keep reading. *************************************************************************
As you all must have noticed, reminiscing is one of my favorite activities. In one such conversation with a good friend, I was introduced to the following ghazal.

This is a ghazal from the movie Ahista Ahista. Soulfully rendered by Bhupinder Singh, the music was by Khayyam and the lyrics by Nida Fazli. This song has also been sung by Asha Bhosle. I like Bhupinder's version better. The first 2 lines of this ghazal caught my attention.

kabhi kisi ko mukammal jahaan nahin milataa
kahin zamin to kahin aasamaan nahin milataa

I could not completely understand what these lines meant, for I did not know the meaning of the word "Mukammal". I knew what to do. Google zindabad. :). "Mukammal" is an Urdu word which means "complete". Aah! So, what the lyricist is trying to convey here is that everybody does not get everything in life. Not everybody is 100% satisfied. What a poetic way of saying it!

           I recently finished reading a book called "The Secrets" by Rhonda Bryne. This book was  a book recommended by Oprah Winfrey on her show. In this book the author talks about how positive thinking can eventually give us what we really want. For example, if I want to get promoted and I think everyday, that I WILL get promoted while doing my job at work, I will eventually get promoted. Hmm, I could not digest that easily. If that was the case, why is poverty still existing? Why are people still sad? Does not make sense. In my opinion, while positive thinking can keep you optimistic and happy, it cannot give you all that you want. In the above ghazal it clearly says nobody can have both the sky and the earth. If they did, they would be the creator - God himself. So, why don't we always get what we want? We deserve it! After all we live only once. Isn't it? If anyone has the answer please leave a comment.

Cham, cham, chama cham cham

Namaskar friends! AWESOME day again! I attribute it to great friends. Let's hope nothing changes in this department forever. Today, I want to write about something that interests me a lot. It is surprising how I have never mentioned my love for jewellery in any of my posts so far. Yes people, if you ever want to give me a gift, any piece of jewellery from any part of the world is very welcome.:) ***********************************************************************************

Most Bollywood  movies from the late 1980s to late 1990s had at least one scene where the heroine tries to attract the heros attention using the sound of her anklet. Just check the video for one such song from the movie Bade ghar ki beti. Yeah, I am influenced by Bollywood BIG time. Payal is the Hindi name for anklet, the bracelet worn around the ankle. Payal is an important part of Indian culture. Traditionally. it is worn by a bride when she first enters her husband's house to announce her entry with the Cham, chama, cham sound of the bells in her anklet.  My Mom presented me with a silver payal when I got married. See Pic. below. (yeah, they are my feet:))

 In India girls mostly wear silver anklets as gold is considered to be the metal of the gods. It is considered disrespectful to wear gold on the lowest part of the body. An anklet usually has small bells that make a very sweet noise while walking, thus drawing attention to the wearers feet. Now-a-days, anklets can be found in variety of styles. Anklets made of sterling silver, gold, beads, semi precious and precious stones, oxidised, enamel paint etc. Anklets can be chosen to match outfits also. Please see pics. below for my collection.:)

Today, women might have progressed, but their love for jewellery still remains.  Payals are still one of the most important fashion accessories of modern Indian women. Girls today wear it on one ankle. My love for jewellery will remain forever. When I die, I wish to be buried or cremated with my jewellery. No jokes.