Krazy 2

Namaskar blog friends! I had an eventful weekend. Attended the Krazy 2 concert which came to our city on Saturday. The show featered Indian playback singers like Sunidhi Chauhan and Ali Zafar. Ali Zafar however, is a Pakistani musician/actor who is now based in India. The concert was enjoyable simply because we went as a big group. I was not too impressed with the singing. The best part of the evening was when we were allowed to go to the front of the stage, and see the artists from close quarters. It occurred to me that these 2 are ordinary people otherwise. Just because they are famous celebrities, I am in awe of them. There was another singer from Indian Idol 2 with them called Rakesh Maini. I remember watching him on TV. I was happy that he too got a chance. The energy in the auditorium was full on when Sunidhi and Ali sang their super hit songs. Sunidhi sang songs like Beedi jalaile, My name is Sheela , Disco Dewaane, Chokra Jawan re and Ali sang London, New York, Paris and Madhubala.  He also sang some old Hindi songs which could have been avoided. I can see why he had to do that though. Ali does not have many songs to his credit yet. However, the audience went berserk with Ali's grand finale performance of Madhubala. He then flung his snug, by now, sweaty leather jacket into the audience. Some lucky (?), screaming girl, must have got it. Some young girls next to me were screaming his name so loudly, that I had to close my ears. All he did was wink at them and they were so happy. Such is the power of a celebrity. One question came to my mind. Why promote Pakistani artists in India, when there are so many talented Indian people, struggling to get work? I understand the whole India-Pakistan improving relations part, but not at the cost of ignoring good talent in our own country. Bu then again, who am I to say anything? It's just my opinion.  OK folks, parting tonight with a lovely ghazal by Jagit Singh. Jhuki, Jhuki si nazar. Sunidhi sang this for us. It was a pop rendition of the Ghazal. I hated it! In fact, a die hard Jagit Singh fan would have been offended, She was brave to even try it. So, I felt like listening to the original version. Enjoy my dear cyber family. Shub Ratri.

 

Absence of color - New color?

Hello blog friends!  Heard that Rakhi Sawant is standing for the Cine and Television Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) elections 2013 listening to issues of actors. I really hope she wins. The bold item girl, deserves a chance. She might eventually be able to knock some sense into the corrupt ruling people with her "bindaas bol" attitude. I also noticed that the Bachchans definitely have their PR staff working overtime for them. TOI had an article today, that said Aaradhya Bachchan is the most stylish Bollywood baby. What a random statement to make. This is because the Bachchans were spotted arriving from New York when Aaradhya was dressed in leopard print tights and a scarf. Really? This type of outfit is readily available for kids her age in any dress store. Nothing fashionable about it. Talking about fashion, I would hate to be in Kim Kardashian's shoes right now. With every pound she is gaining, the media is splashing a nasty new nick name for her on magazines. It must be dreadful to be called Shamu the killer whale. Don't worry Kim, size zero can wait till after the baby.
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I just realized that every day you wake up, you have the opportunity to be creative. From sunrise to sunset, your day is filled with opportunities to let your creative juices flow. Right from picking your outfit, fixing your hair, making breakfast, tackling work, picking material to read etc, etc.



Imagine a day, when you wake up, that everything is black and white. There is absolutely no color in the world. Not even black and white. Everything is transparent. Life would have been boring and chaotic too. We would all be living a blind man's world. So, what is so color? Is that a new color? Or is it black? Has anyone ever solved this mystery? Color means so much to me. I would go under depression, if there was no color. In fact, people at work always identify me with my colorful outfit and matching jewelery. They call me the 'colorful' person. That is the reason I dislike the cold and dark Winter season with naked trees and frosted leaves. Now, don't you all agree that God has carefully planned the world. Thank God!
Leaving you tonight with this beautiful song "Raat Ka Sama" from the movie Ziddi  which was made ion 1964. Enjoy! Shub Ratri.

Grab the crab

Namaskar blog friends! It's yet another manic Monday. Bang, Bang Shrimp was the new thing our family tried and fell in love with. This was at a restaurant called Bone fish grill. Apparently, on Wednesdays this dish is 50% off all day long. The kids were saying, now there will be something to look forward to on the dinner table on Wednesday nights. So, another good weekend filled with fun filled activities, comes to an end. Now back to the 8AM-5PM grind. I made crab curry for dinner tonight. We were eating crabs after 2 years or so. Sanil and Shekar thought it was too much work and a messy affair. Rohit and I enjoyed it. Like mother, like son. It was well worth the effort for us. Hard work really pays off! The gorgeous pink and white, soft and succulent flesh was just the right thing that my taste buds were craving for a long time. We spent a good 1 hour at the dining table today. This was good, as normally we finish in 10 mins. We could spend some quality time together, chatting and enjoying the crabs together. I feel people tend to relax, unwind and enjoy sharing experiences when they are eating good food. Posting pics below.

Yummy platter of Rice and Coconut crab curry

Close up view of the crab

This is the Konkani way of making Crab curry. It's a coconut gravy. Normally, this dish would not be so dry. I did not realize that the crab would soak up all the water out of the gravy. But taste wise it was just like my Amma's preparation. I was remembering the chatter around our dinner table in Manipal. Dad would make it so enjoyable, by relating all his childhood stories. I miss those days.
Here in DC, they have Crab fests during the crab season. I have been to one so far. People line up and sit on tables, covered with brown paper. Every table has a big pot of steamed crabs. Everyone is given a hammer, old bay seasoning and butter. The crabs are so huge, that after eating around 4-5 one feels full. I have eaten 10 of them in one go. That's how much I love crabs. For the beer buffs, there is abundance of free flowing beer. People can also enjoy music and arts and crafts. Add to this, a bunch of like minded people, and it will be an event that you would want to go to again and again. This is on my "to do" list for this summer.
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As I am typing this post, I am listening to my favorite Ghazal singer Jagjit Singh, singing "Pyar ka pehla khat likhne mein waqt to lagta hai" live to some lucky audience. Wah! Youtube zindabad! The maestro is immortal. I love the following lines.

Jism ki baat nahi thi unke, dil tak jana tha,
Lambi doori tai karne mein, waqt to lagta hai.

Gaanth agar lag jaye to phir, rishte ho ya doree,
Laakh kare koshish khulne me, waqt to lagta hai.

If anyone knows who wrote this song, please let me know.  Lucky, is the woman, who would have received a similar first love letter from her boyfriend or husband. I have attached the link for you, my favorite friends, Enjoy. Shub Ratri folks ! Love you all!