Tagged, I am!

Milinta has tagged me and here it goes. Thanks to her I finally am posting something in my long untouched blog….

Last movie seen in a theatre:

“Anjaathe”. This is one of the rare films that can be watched over again and again for the sheer intelligence in direction and cinematography.

What book are you reading?

“Atlas Shrugged” - the Ayn Rand Classic, “Snapshots from Hell” - by Peter Robinson (I stumbled upon this one in a pile of returned books in the library was jus gazin at its title when the librarian asked me “Want me issue it?” and as u guessed it, I said yes) and another old version of “Tinkle” (yeah u read it right) got it from the old book store near my house, still enjoy reading them, the only thing that fails to please me is that they last for not more than an hour!

Favourite board game:

Board Games! Wow! Nostalgia…. Snakes and Ladders :)….

Favourite magazine:

I’d go with favorite articles rather…. these articles can be from any magazine… from CIO to India Today…. any article that interests me finds me reading it…

Favourite smells:

Smell… this has the power to change my mind….. Favorite smells include - the aroma of my mom’s cooking, Man vasanai, Coffee, Old Books with faded pages, Aftershave… that’s all I guess!

Favourite sound:

The sound of rain - this one literally makes me feel good however low I am…

Worst feeling in the world:

Feeling that I have nothing to do….. Or that I have lots to do… (lots means loooooooots… )

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up?

What is that I have to do today (A kinda To-Do list)

Favourite fast food place:

Keeps varying from time to time…. Nothin specific as of now… Any place with good food is fits this tag…

Future child’s name:

Oh Man! There’s still time na….. baad me soch leenge…

Finish this statement, “If I had a lot of money I’d…”

“If I had a lot of money I’d never believe it!!” J

Do you drive fast?

Well… Honestly I don’t know!

Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?

Nope! Pillow -at times…

Storms - Cool or Scary?

Cool.

There was this one time I was at Besant beach on a stormy day…. And man that feeling was great…

Do you eat the stems on broccoli?

Clueless…

If you could dye your hair any colour, what would be your choice?

I wouldn’t coz I love black and my hair is the same… J

Name all the different cities/towns you have lived in:

Secunderabad, Chennai…

Favourite sports to watch:

Basketball, Football…

One nice thing about the person who sent this to you:

Hmmm hmmm…. Cool, Fun loving… oh one thing right… I’d go with cool…

What’s under your bed?

Nothin guys…. jus a straw mat…

Would you like to be born as yourself again?

Of course, I love myself!

Morning person or night owl?

Night owl….

Over easy or sunny side up?

Sunny side up.

Favourite place to relax:

There’s this divan in my house jus in front of the tv… nothin beats that place…. Heaven….

Favourite ice cream flavour:

Vanilla with Chocoloate sauce….

You pass this tag to

Charanya… The rest of the guys I know have already been tagged!

Of all the people you tagged this to, who’s most likely to respond first?

<blink> <blink>

A Call

I see her standing in the wind,
Her flowing hair, dancing to its tunes,
Wonder if I really love her,
Her smile so sweet,
Like…
My phone rings,
…a dew drop on a rose petal,
I miss the call.

Her eyes, deep as the night sky,
Lost, in search,
How I wish she loves me,
She walks…
My phone rings,
…silent, graceful,
I miss the call.

Lost, in her gaze,
I fail to believe,
I stand, stunned,
‘I…
My phone rings,
…’ she said.
I answered.

I, Me…

Cool air hitting hard on my face,
a feeling most exciting,
an assortment of sounds,
unheard and uncared.

Lost in thoughts I was,
a sudden awakening,
“Hi”, I said,
a smile, he replied.

Darkness all around,
lone light of the lamp,
staring at the star studded sky,
a pure delight,
“So were her eyes”, I said,
he smiled.

The night so serene,
Peaceful, fulfilling,
“Oh yes”, I said, “So were those moments spent with her”,
he smiled.

A sudden halt,
darkness all around,
giving nature her chance,
those chirpy sounds blended with the wisdom of silence,
Ah! A perfect blend,
“So was she!” I said.
he smiled.

Strange I thought,
He has His own ways,
nature’s beauty I realize in her,
a sudden jolt,
my destination arrives,
he departs.

சில நிமிடங்கள்…

மௌனம்,
ரத்தம் கலந்த மண்வாசனை,
புயலில் குடை சாய்ந்த மரங்களில் நானும் ஒருவன்,
என் தாய்நாட்டுக்கு நல்ல மகன் என்ற திருப்தி,
என்னை பெற்ற தாய்க்கு ?
மன்னிக்கவும் அம்மா,
என் தந்தை உடன் சேர நேரம் வந்துவிட்டது…

questions…

Those deep eyes,
I first noticed,
staring at me,
in surprise? in awe ?
or in love?

Those silent smiles,
trapped in my heart,
so sweet, so beautiful,
is it real? or unreal?
or just unexplained?

Those small talks,
when you first spoke,
lost in thoughts i was,
thoughts about you? thoughts about me?
or thoughts about us?

Those short walks,
moments cherished forever,
how i wish they go on and on,
will they? will they not?

questions all around,
searching for an answer, i find,

my heart says ‘yes’,
my mind says ‘no’…

my heart? or my mind?

the four miles…

A new dawn,
rainbow of emotions,
birds flying high,
undisturbed, undeterred.

A four mile journey,
journey, integral,
the first step,
small, fragile.

Minds,
afresh as dew,
dreams,
flowers all the way,
thorns unseen, uncared.

The morning sky,
clear and pleasant,
hopes rising high.

Noon arrives,
perseverence tested,
dripping pearls of toil,
pearls of wisdom.

An evening shower,
refreshing life,
passing clouds,
hearts cry,
tears in heaven.

Dusk dawns,
unseen,
darkness glows,
unheard,
diamonds sprinkled,
uncared,
the four miles end,
realisations unrealised…

a star…

A shrill cry,
sending waves of happiness all around,
unbound joy, blossoms everywhere,
but in a heart deep in slumber,
the lone heart, when awakens,
tears of joy; transformed into baptismal water.

A time of happiness,
a time of joy,
momentarily unbound,
celebrations, jubilations all around.

My first step, for my earthly conquest,
arose a streak of doubt,
overcome by an assuring smile,
a transformation from fright to joy.

A wheel rolling by,
knockin my toys around,
changes life around,
black and white replaced by colour,
toy cars by outdoor games,
the lone heart remains untouched,
untouched by the magic wheel,
still lives by the good old days.

Treasuring every moment of my growth,
growth unanswered, unexplained,
the silent spectator derives joy,
joy unbound, unexpressed,
squirts of anger, moments of tears,
not even a whimper, from the holy soul.

Failure, life’s first lesson,
taught with utmost patience,
patience, a virtue,
possessed by the guiding star,
star which shines at my every small step.

The morning dew, the sunset,
the rain, the wind,
the starry sky, the scorching sun,
the moon, the stars,
all His creation,
supreme of which,
my star, my life,
my mother…

breathless…

An angel? A dream ?
how can i describe my first thought when i saw you.

Years of yearning passed by,
waiting for ‘the moment’.

Alas, nature has its own ways,
deprived me of you,

kneeling by your grave,
tears flooding from my eyes,
a sharp pain, i feel, in my heart,
pain,i will never again feel.

Little did you know that I breathed,
because your breath was in the air…

?

a thought ? a dream !
a confusion? an illusion!
you…

(note : the rest is left to the reader to percieve)

Raja Rajathi Raja…..

Well , to start with , i am a very bad writer. This post is about a song from the film “Agninatchatiram” (Tamil), composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The instrumentation in this song is what covered me. The simplest orchestration i’ve ever heard. Here, by simple i mean the variety of instruments used. The only instuments used are the bass guitar and percussion. May sound very simple, in fact the song does. One of its kind, the instrumentation for whole song is covered by these two instruments. Even the interludes are filled by the percussion. Another effect included is the voice modulation. On the whole, its a treat for the bass guitarists and percussionists alike.

The song starts of with very simple beats, followed by a short prelude using percussion, give the song an ear and you’ll find that the song’s tune is played using percussion, something i don’t think any one else has ever tried. Then come the lyrics starting off with the composers name, true indeed. The lyrics are accompanied by the strings of the bass guitar, adding beauty to raaja’s voice. Raaja’s voice is modulated such that you hear two voices which are at different pitches, an effect that is carried throughout the song. With this ends the first stanza.

The interlude that follows is another carefully arranged piece, a masterpiece, minus the bass guitar, the stereophonic effect making it even more laudable. The lyrics start off again. After the first eight lines, the dual voice is reduced in pitch, an intricate move that lasts for two lines. The accompaniying bass guitar is mesmerising, haunting the listener through out the song. The song continues, repeating the first stanza.

The second interlude that follows is another carefully crafted piece, this time accompanied by the vocals, very very different from the first interlude, this one more dominated by the vocals, minus the bass guitar. The third stanza starts off with the vocals and the bass guitar, and is carried on a note very similar to the second stanza.

The ending of the song though not as effective as the starting, is very apt.

Now what’s all this fuss about. The bass guitar is no ordinary instrument and using it requires expertise which is well illustrated in the song above and using only the bass guitar and percussion for the whole song is a bold step. Well, in short, a brilliant composition interwoven with simplicity, a master’s work. Raaja… indeed !