Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.....

Here's a movie that makes you laugh, makes you reflect on your relationships, lives, and makes you want to live life to the brim. Because even those of us who believe in "life after death" know that "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara....."

The power of Javed Akhtar's lyrics combined with the depth of Farhan's voice make sure you not only listen to the words, but also feel them!

Jab jab dard ka baadal chaya
Jab ghum ka saya lehraya
Jab aansoo palkon tak aya
Jab yeh tanha dil ghabraya
Humne dil ko yeh samjhaya
Dil aakhir tu kyun rota hai
Duniya mein yunhi hota hai
Yeh jo gehre sannate hain
Waqt ne sabko hi baante hain
Thoda ghum hai sabka qissa
Thodi dhoop hai sabka hissa
Aankh teri bekaar hi nam hai
Har pal ek naya mausam hai
Kyun tu aise pal khota hai
Dil aakhir tu kyun rota hai...

Ik baat honton tak hai jo aayi nahin
Bas ankhon say hai jhaankti
Tumse kabhi, mujhse kabhi
Kuch lafz hain woh maangti
Jinko pehanke honton tak aa jaaye woh
Aawaaz ki baahon mein baahein daalke ithlaye woh
Lekin jo yeh ik baat hai
Ahsas hi ahsas hai
Khushboo si hai jaise hawa mein tairti
Khushboo jo be-aawaaz hai
Jiska pata tumko bhi hai
Jiski khabar mujhko bhi hai
Duniya se bhi chupta nahin
Yeh jaane kaisa raaz hai...

Pighle neelam sa behta ye sama,
Neeli neeli si khamoshiyan,
Na kahin hai zameen
Na kahin aasmaan,
Sarsaraati hui tehniyaan pattiyaan,
Keh raheen hai bas ek tum ho yahan,
Bas main hoon,
Meri saansein hain aur meri dhadkanein,
Aisi gehraiyaan, aisi tanhaiyaan,
Aur main...Sirf main.
Apne hone par mujhko yakeen aa gaya.

Dilon mein tum apni
Betaabiyan leke chal rahe ho
Toh zinda ho tum
Nazar mein khwabon ki
Bijliyan leke chal rahe ho
Toh zinda ho tum
Hawa ke jhokon ke jaise
Aazad rehno sikho
Tum ek dariya ke jaise
Lehron mein behna sikho
Har ek lamhe se tum milo
Khole apni bhaayein
Har ek pal ek naya samha
Dekhen yeh nigahaein
Jo apni aankhon mein
Hairaniyan leke chal rahe ho
Toh zinda ho tum
Dilon mein tum apni
Betaabiyan leke chal rahe ho
Toh zinda ho tum

Whatever happens, or doesn't happen.. don't forget to live your life you all....

An ode to Hachiko...

I hear him coming,
in the rusty rumble of the train
I hear him calling,
in the rugged voice of the rain
I care not for time
snow, rain or shine
There wasn't even a sublte sign

Time and again, they talk to me
A traveler here, a traveler there
A familiar face, sometimes somewhere

I don't mind the chitter chatter.
The movement of lips fade by
As I continue to do today,
what I did till yesterday
And I continue to do tomorrow
What I do today

I am being clicked and photographed
Solo and with a known face
I am the hero of the town
To most of them, this is just a phase

I left my home
Abandoned my family
I care for nothing
He is my only reality
My home and family

I am told that 9 years have gone by
To me time doesn't seem to fly
Time must have stopped 9 years ago
When I was waiting for him to show

I wait for him to call my name
I wait for him to show me a sign
It's only fair, as he waited too
For the day, when I would fetch too

9 years later, I sit here again
On the familiar step, that felt no pain
Time has aged me, but not my soul
I hang on to hope, my only console

My weary eyes drop into my sunken eyepits
I see his smiling face calling my name
I hear him coming,
in the rusty rumble of the train



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This is my tribute to Hachiko, for his undying faith, love and devotion to his master and friend, Hidesaburō Ueno. To him time did not matter, nor did anything else, except the hope of seeing his master again. A bronze statue of Hachiko stills stands at Tokyo's Shibuya station where he waited for 9years hoping for his master to return (Look for Hachiko statue on Google)
This is my tribute to all dogs and all dog lovers! Dog is the most floyal of companions.

Watch the movie- Hachi, a dog's tale (Richard Gere, Joan Allen and Hachi)
Read his story- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D>

Hollow are the earth and sky and God....

Empty cries from empty souls
No one to listen no one to hold
God is but a perception of the mind
Irrespective of events which unfold
Quest for the truth is uneventful
These days for pennies it is sold
Nothing matters no more
For, named names
Are the pure hearted and the bold

It's just a sprain....

So... this was one of the many evenings when I was practicing for an Indian and salsa dance number that me and 3 other guys were performing for raising funds for the American Diabetes Association. This evening turned out to be dreadful and unforgettable as this was the evening I heard a pop in my left ankle. I had sprained it. This was about 6:00pm. Me being me, I told myself.. "It's just a sprain" and went ahead to attend my belly dancing class at 8pm. Awesome! Next morning I was in a bit of pain. I went to see the doctor in the health centre and work, got a crepe bandage around my ankle, and told myself.. okay, it's a sprain, just a few days of rest and I will be fine! That night, I woke up midway in excruciating pain.. I removed the bandage, was in agony for a while before I finally fell asleep. Worked from home the next day.
I rested for a couple of weeks. I live by myself, so I still had to go to work, manage my meals, walk around my apartment for other regular stuff. But I stayed away from the gym, minimized my dance practices, and was assured that I will be okay. I decided to go ahead with the dance show no matter what. There was no stopping there! 2 weeks later, I resumed my dance practices. The salsa moves hurt like hell, but again.. me being me, I did not stop. When I was told to cancel the dance show because my ankle is more important, I politely and convincingly told my well- wishers that this means a lot to me, and I have to do this, and once this is over I will rest.
So 45days passed by, I did the dance show, everyone loved me. When I look back it doesn't really make a big difference though. Silly me!
After the show on Nov 30 2010, I started taking care, continued with no gym, but went around in the malls shopping for my India trip (don't ask me why!!). And then I went to India, got a cast from a bone setter. But I was in India.. so had to go around shopping, blah blah blah. I know I know.. silly me!
3 wks later, I got back from India, got an MRI that said there is a bit of contusion and inflammation. Went through 8 sessions of distressing Physical Therapy. After the guy made me do lunges on Day 7, I was in so much pain, I figured I should run the other direction. Now I feel I have a pretty high threshold of tolerating pain, so if I say I was in excruciating pain, I surely was.
Then I found a Podiatrist (a specialist in the care for feet). Since none of the conservative methods worked, and my journey of pain was upto 5months now, he suggested I get a cortisone shot. I had already done my research on it, and had taken one for my shoulder a few years ago, in vain. But I went ahead and took it anyway. Now I wouldn't have opted for it, because I believe in conservative healing. I wouldn't even take a tylenol unless absolutely required. But after many many many sleepless and painful nights, I decided I would go for this. He gave me the shot (one of my most painful of memories), put a cast on. I worked from home for 2wks so I get some rest. I was doing okay with the cast on, a bit of pain here and there. Once the cast was out after 7days, the pain started creeping back. Went to see the doctor. He put the cast back on, gave me a 10lb walking boot to walk in. The cast makes me feel better. The boot kills me. So I am going to ask him if I really need it.
So 6months of pain from the sprain.. all my plans are on hold as of now.. marathons, travelling, hiking, biking......

So friends.. next time you or your near one experiences a sprain.. think twice before saying, "It's just a sprain"

Ever been through the feeling where you forgot how it is "not to be in pain"?

For the sake of passion, for the sake of life
For the sake of dreams, unfulfilled and dry
For the sake of living, and not existing
For the sake of bigger challenges that life can bring
For the sake of the soul being free again
Transcend this being to a state outside of pain..........

Dear dreams....

This is a letter to my deepest, darkest fear, which is not being able to realize my dreams before I die.

Dear dreams,

I know I have had
Not the simplest or
The most modest of dreams
But I have had them

Isn’t a head with many crazy dreams?
Better than one with none

I have let you wander
Into places wild, into territories unknown
My heart has set no boundaries for you
And made you accident prone

Some go fulfilled, some don’t
Some make sense, the rest won’t
But I love the freedom of letting you lose
And I am sure you do too

You are what I am
You define me
Do linger around
Help me continue to be me

Realty is overrated
You are underestimated
Leave for a bit if you want to
But do find your way back too

Life won’t mean much if you leave
I am leaning on to you
Help me realize the dormant ones
I promise I will make them true

Random thoughts.. yet again...

If someone really wants you in their life, they will find a way.

It's funny that religion is God- related, but not God- made.

Enjoy the world, without getting attached to it. You have to take a deep breath in. But you can’t hold onto it. You have to let go (of the breath) to enjoy the fresh air. In life, it is the same thing. Letting go is important.

Whats more painful- pain, or the memory of the pain?

Waffles named Belgian dream... truly heavenly

There is something about the cobbled stone streets that amazes me. Maybe it has to do with history. People talk about being at a place where no one has been so far. I would like the contrary. I would like to be at every place that man has set foot on so far, at any period of time. It's fascinating to go into the mind of a man who existed 100s of years ago, 1000s of years ago. It's how you feel when you go to some parts of Europe, as you let the various flavors sink in. Fries and windmills in The Netherlands; beer, waffles and chocolates in Belgium, the crepes and diversity in Paris. Why can't there be bits of us in each place that we visit, that way there is a part of us left behind in every place where our heart wants to be at...

Now that I can....

Now that I can fly
Let me go really high
I not only have wings
But a spirit unlike all other beings
Let me see the world like no one else
So I can heal, cherish and bless
So many things to do
Some dreamy and some true
So many places to be
I want to set myself free
Let my spirit soar high
Now that I can fly

Random lines from my heart...

My dream came true after I died..

The blue blanket in front of me that went up and down..

Clear blue skies with tints of white here and there..

The sky seemed to be the ocean turned upside down..

You have yourself. No matter who's with you or not, you will always have yourself.

For the womb that was his shelter for 9 months,
For the heart that was his home for ever...

We are not who we think we are. We only think, we are who we think we are..

Dreams come when you are asleep
Dreams come true when you are awake

All the people in this world cannot fill this void within you, not even you. Because this void is death. Death completes you.

What I need in life is a single thing worth fighting for.

The closest you can get to looking at perfection, is your reflection.

My life would be more confused
My soul would be more lost
Without you.....

Free yourself....

Let your soul lie
There is you and the sky
And no one around
close your eyes
And just be...
Do not hear but
Feel the sound of the ocean

Let the breeze brush against your cheeks
and the moonlight kiss you gently
You will see that you cease to exist
And existance doesn't matter
Because you are one
With something
That's bigger than life
Or the world

The purest things
Can neither be touched
Nor heard
Nor seen
They can only be felt

You were the world

How can someone be alive one second, and not be the next. Millions of years- man got to space, got to the deepest and darkest parts of the ocean, figured out what goes on in the core of the earth, but could not come close to figuring out Mother nature. This is what probably many out there who loved Michael Jackson felt, when they heard about his untimely death. How can one possibly let go of the thought of a person being alive? Especially if you lived with and/ or, loved the person.
Someone came up with the line "time heals all wounds" because you have to say something to the grieving one. This is the one wound that the so powerful time cannot heal. Even if it's healed, the scar still remains, for life. You live and move on because life pretty much doesn't give you a choice, does it? You house this body with an empty soul, which doesn't wander anymore because it doesn't know where to go.
No matter how Michael Jackson's life was, it is obvious that he was very talented. He is one figure that probably every Tom, Dick and Harry knows, literally speaking. He created history, and will no doubt live on for eternity. May his soul rest in peace, and may his family find strength through this.

A taste of history

I got back a few days ago, from the land where the mighty Roman Emperors walked, and it's hard to let go of the enigmatic experience that I went through in this amazing place. Be it the age old piazzas bustling with people, or the not so crowded streets of the make believe city of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, this country is one to die for. Few places ooze this unique feel, in each city which has a distinction of it's own. In Rome, you go back in time a few thousand years to feel the majesty of the buildings. Venice- you can't miss the magic that runs through your soul, as you step into the city that stands on water. The Square of Miracles in Pisa, home to the leaning tower takes you to another place altogether, which is beyond definition. Florence gives you a taste of frescoes and sculptures that bridged ancient and modern art. The little medieval Manhattan- San Gimignano sits in the midst of lovely sunflower fields and vineyards, gives you a glimpse of alabaster lamps and ceramic pottery.
Like life and love, all good things do come to an end. So did the trip. I made sure I dropped a coin in Fontana de Trevi to assure my return to the eternal city of Rome, and the magical Venice when the air is cold, and the streets are deserted.

You let go of the past.... is the past ready to let go of you?

The past is gone, tomorrow is unknown, today is what we have in our hands, that's what the wise tell us. Yes, you are ready to let go, but is your past ready to let go of you? Doesn't it keep bumping into you like an unwanted visitor, in the form of a friend, a neighbor, or even a loved one?

Your past is like the unwanted trailer that keeps playing on your tv, and it's too late before you can flip the channel. It has already done it's part, the memories have come back, the damage is done. How can you hide before you are even given a chance to run? And as time goes by, it's not so much the past that hurts, it's the way it disguises itself, to run into your present.

So how do you deal with it? Fight it, ignore it, run away from it? There's no one right way to deal with, is it?

Delhi-6 ya Kaala Bandar

What can you do if the pieces of a puzzle are put together, but the scene itself doesn't fit in. That's how it is with Delhi-6. The director tried to put the pieces together, but the story doesn't fit in. 2 good things about the movie- songs, and star cast. My fav. being dil gira kahin dafatan, shot very uniquely in it's setting. A lot of us here in the US could relate to what could have been going in the character's head.
The cast being great, it failed to register to me as to what Sonam Kapoor's purpose was in the film. Her talent went waste in this movie full of haphazard scenes that seemed to have been desperately tried to fit in to form one whole movie. The movie seemed to revolve around this mysterious character called Kaala Bandar which became the gist of the movie.
Abhishek did not seem to fit in as the ABCD, the puppy faced Ranbir Kapoor could have probably done more justice to the role.
Over all, a movie not worth the 10bucks, except for the songs.

Mumbai Meri Jaan

There are coincidences, and they happen to each one of us.
I had just finished watching the movie Mumbai Meri Jaan (Mumbai my love), and after a little while I hear about the seige that took place in Mumbai. It happened during Thanksgiving 2008. What is it that we should be thankful for? Should we be thankful that we weren't in those hotels when the attacks occurred? Yes, we should be. But what about the families of those who lost their loved ones? What about the ones who are severely injured, and fear a long and painful journey to recovery?
What has the world come to? All the people who were killed in the attack, what was worth more than their lives- money, power, or victory? It is said, jaan hai tho jahan hai (you have your life, you have the world). What happens to those who lost their lives- men, women and children, old, young, and the pregnant. I fail to fathom the motive behind such occurences. What has anyone gained out of these? Whoever planned this assault, what has he/ she gained from it? Can anyone make me see the whole point of it?
There is no safe haven anymore, anywhere. Man is his worst enemy, he is setting up a grandiose stage with all splendor, but this stage is going to crumble, very soon. We are not setting a secure future for our next generations, what they have in store is more bloodshed, pollution, uncertainity, and......
Each of us can make a difference, provided each of us believe that we can, and act to pitch in. It's never too late, isn't it? Or, is it?

Anxiety disorder, a state, not a disease

Anxiety is an unpleasant emotional state, the sources of which are less readily identified. It is frequently accompanied by physiological symptoms that may lead to fatigue or even exhaustion. Because fear of recognized threats causes similar unpleasant mental and physical changes, patients sometimes use the terms fear and anxiety interchangeably. Distinguishing among different anxiety disorders is important, since accurate diagnosis is more likely to result in effective treatment and a better prognosis.

Anxiety disorders are often debilitating chronic conditions, which can be present from an early age or begin suddenly after a triggering event. They are prone to flare up at times of high stress.A good assessment is essential for the initial diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, preferably using a standardized interview or questionnaire procedure alongside expert evaluation and the views of the affected person. There should be a medical examination in order to identify possible medical conditions that can cause the symptoms of anxiety. A family history of anxiety disorders is often suggestive of the possibility of an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety can be accompanied by headache, sweating, palpitations, and hypertension.

It is important to note that a patient with an anxiety disorder will often exhibit symptoms of Clinical Depression and vice-versa. Rarely does a patient exhibit symptoms of only one or the other.

There are different kinds of anxiety disorders- generalized, panic, agoraphobia, phobias, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety etc.Look up on the internet to see if you think you have one of these.The right treatment may depend very much on the individual's genetics and environmental factors. Therefore it is important to work closely with a psychiatrist, therapist or counselor who is familiar with anxiety disorders and current treatments.

Anxiety disorder is not a disease, it's just a state that sums up from various possible reasons, could be broken families, broken marriages or relationships, sexual abuse, physical abuse etc. Love and support of near and dear ones definitely helps a great deal. Meditation can also help relax your fears. For all those who think you have anxiety disorder, remember- "do not feel guilty", don't care if people do not understand your fears, it's not worth it. Try meditation, take up a hobby, keep yourself occupied. Talk to someone who you think would understand you. If there is no one around, talk to a doctor as to what would be best to subside your fears.

Also, feel free to write to me. Maybe I can help.

Sleep and blankets, blankets and sleep

I wondered that if our body is wrapped up in just clothes while we are awake (except of course when we leave our mother's secure womb, and while we take a shower :)), so why do we feel the need for clothes "and" a blanket while we are in slumber.

The answer... is body temperature... the link between body temperature and our body.

Not everybody realizes that our body temperature works and ticks like an internal clock controlling our sleeping cycles. Body temperature also controls the metabolism, circulation and other involuntary activities our body undertakes. Whenever you put big physical demands on your body your body temperature will rise above the norm. As a response to any intensive physical activity, the body temperature drops for a while as soon as you stop the activity. This is when you feel sleepy, and you feel the need for a blanket since your body temperature is below your regular body temperature during the day.

Though it might not be a neccessity, but most of definitely use a sheet during sleep time. I definitely do :)

Flesh and bones and what?

I would love to know what the world would be like a 100 years from now, 500 years from now, a 1000 years from now. But.. how would I know? I probably will have kids, and then grandkids, and maybe I can ask my grandkids, and then have them ask their grandkids, to send me pictures and videos of what the world is like "then". They will obviously have immensely advanced technology then... Well... whatever the technology is, my grandkids use it, and take snapshots of the future world, and put them in an envelope, or attach them in an email, ready to send them to me.
But... where will I be? What kind of a mailing address can they use? Where can they send it to? And though my email account would be active (no chance huh...), who will actually see those emails. What will happen to this entity called "me"? I know I will be dead, is there something after that?
The farthest I can go, is my grandkids, and then I will be forgotten. Just like that!
Check out the Bodies Museum, will give you an insight into how complex your body is, yet so fragile....

Innocence.. lost

The other day I was watching Forrest Gump, and I heard this person within me that wanted to come out, live and express freely. Maybe it was my soul.
In this hustle bustle of life, we don't realize when we are drained off the very essence of our being- innocence. A heart break, a humiliation, each passing year, bullies, take our our innocence in one form or the other, and then remains what is called "you" or "me".
Remember when we loved unconditionally, lived freely, laughed vivaciously, cried openly... Where did all that go?
Can we love unconditionally now? Not without the fear of getting hurt, not without expecting...
Can we cry openly now? Not without the thought of being judged, not without the fear of being labelled vulnerable....
What Forrest gave was love, what we give.. what is it?
So, is the world depriving us of innocence, or is it us?
Given a choice, would we want our innocence back in the same life, in the same world?