Au Revoir Mr. O.P.N!

One of my favourite Music Composers left for his heavenly abode on Sunday.

I opened various news sites to read more about how he had passed away. But hey! Most news sites did not even consider Mr. O.P.Nayyar consequential enough to devote a tiny sq. cm of newsprint to him! Ofcourse and why would they? Shilpa Shetty winning Big Brother deserves to make the headlines; Amitabh Bachchan quoting that Ash is a domesticated girl provides food for our news hungry souls. But not an old ‘loony’ music composer who has been a recluse for the last few decades. It does not matter that he gave Bollywood some of the biggest hits, some of the most melodious numbers that one can identify with even today. It does not matter that most of his songs have been converted into raunchy remixes by adding a few beats here and there – so if those songs were not created in the first place, our Indian remix Industry would be at a loss of what to mutilate next.

Not a ‘famous’ soul cried (or may be they did but the media did not consider that important too – if AB hurts his toe, you will have the entire film industry shedding copious tears and the media reporting it as headlines!). Not even the ‘Rajas of Remix’ most of whose ‘masterpieces’ are created by mixing various sounds and beats with O.P.N’s melodies. Am just thinking aloud – should they not at least shed tears wondering what they would do once their stock of O.P.N melodies is exhausted? What will they remix next?

I guess this is what happens when you shut yourself away from the limelight. If you are out of sight once, you are out of mind for the media forever.

‘Yellow Journalists’ of the Indian media – the next time you hum a ‘Mera naam chin chin choo’ or ‘Zara holle holle chalo more sajna’ or ‘Babuji dheere chalna’, remember that these melodies were created by the magician you did not even think deserved a tribute when he died!
Mr. Nayyar, some of us who loved your music and who can identify with it even today, mourn for you. May your soul rest in peace!

A Dad's love?

Agreed Guru was a powerful movie with some stellar performances by AB's Baby. But does that warrant a half page ad in the TOI, signed by AB?
Mr Bachchan, are you really so overwhelmed by your son's performance in the movie? Do you really believe that he has outdone your best performance so far ?
The letters from the other viewers (see the small print in black) are a nice touch BTW, to entice those who haven't watched Guru so far, to rush to the theatres and see what they have missed!

Ajit: Today's your Day!

My best friend launched his music site today (read Jan 10th, coz posting this got delayed by a bit). Launching a site containing his own musical compositions was his dream and he realized his dream today! http://www.worldvoidweb.com/ is where his compositions are housed.
I sometimes wonder if this guy is for real – in these days of extreme competition, lack of originality, plagiarism among musicians, here is this guy who has made his music freely available to anyone who has an ear for it! And what more, his music can be freely distributed so that anyone who appreciates good music has an earful of the magic of the ‘seven surs’!
In today's world where 'I am so busy! I have no time for my hobbies!' seems to be the mantra and the in thing to say, here's a man who has achieved a perfect balance between a gruelling work schedule and pursuing his passion!
You rock my friend! You are a star and today’s your day!

Santa Claus Exists!

We played ‘Secret Santa’ in the office about 2 weeks back. I got carried away by the spirit of Christmas and picked up not one, not two but six names from the box!
And guess what? For the first time in life, I discovered that there was so much more joy in giving than receiving things! It gave me immense pleasure just to see the excitement through ‘my children’s’ words after receiving their gifts each day!
And the cherry on the cake was the fact that I ended up knowing 8 of my colleagues much more than I ever did before! Now was that ‘Santa’s ‘ gift to me this Christmas?
I wonder!

The most expensive meal I have ever had!

My best friend was cribbing about a $9 pizza that tasted absolutely horrible. I immediately thought of the most expensive meal I have ever eaten .
Nope it was not a meal in a 5 star restaurant!
$22 for a cold sub (that was originally hot and steaming) and soggy fries in a snow covered paper bag! It was the most heavenly meal I ate that day - in the midst of a snowstorm, stranded in the hotel with no food to eat!
Ajit - I do not think your pizza was this bad, was it? I hope you feel much better now :)

O.P.Nayyar Rocks!

I decided to go for the felicitation of Mr. O.P.Nayyar by the Rotary Club here at
Bangalore, not because I was a great fan of his before the show but for the cause the Rotary club was supporting with the proceeds of the sales.
I came out of the 3 and a half hour musical show, feeling strangely humbled and in awe of the legend. That I discovered that most of his compositions were much ahead of his time and have been popularised again these days as sleazy remixes, and that I was struck by the way the performing, budding singers wove the show is a different story!
What I was most impressed with were Mr Nayyar's principles! At the age of 82, here is a man who strongly believes in something and will not compromise on that notion come what may! Two cases in point - It is said that he had decided he will not work with Lata, the reigning queen back then, and till date there is no OPN-Lata creation.
Point 2 and possibly the one that got me really thinking - He refused to give my friend and me an autograph because we did not have our autograph books and were giving him torn tickets to sign on! In his charming inimitable style he said ' I cannot give you an autograph if you do not have your autograph book. I am sorry but I hope you don't mind!'. Now that is what I call ' A Man of Principles'!
Hats off Mr. Nayyar! I salute you!
Wonder if I will stick to what I stand for when I am 82 years old!

Is life all but a compromise?

Is it all that difficult to keep everyone who matters, happy? Why is it that every important event in life seems to be a trade off? Why is it that we end up hurting someone in a quest for happiness? Why can't we ever live in a perfect world - one devoid of hurt egos, tears, moments of pain and sorrow?
Trying to keep someone happy seems to disappoint someone else. My actions seem to be driven by the fact that it would meet the expectations of some individuals in my life. So there are deeds done because it would give my folks happiness, other actions would reassure close friends. Am I losing focus of what I really want to do in the midst of all this chaos? Am I leading a life run by others? Am I bending over too much to others demands, forgetting what my real wants are in the process?

My Foray into the Blogsphere!

My best friend calls me ‘Happiness’. He says the state of happiness is infectious and I spread joy and cheer all around me by just being myself - happy.

And as you can guess, that’s where my blog gets its name!

As I write, there are myriads of questions plaguing me. Can someone turn a blind eye to all that people say and remain happy? Is it tough being a single woman in a metro in India? Do all working women feel harassed and violated while walking on the streets? I know my thoughts sound like mere ramblings, disjointed issues that are taken for granted because they happen ‘oh-so-often’. These are questions I have been asking for what seems like eternity but the answers that come my way are something I cannot reconcile with!

I’m hoping to find a connection between all these questions, find some satisfying answers, atleast through the blogsphere if nowhere else.

Some questions, some musings and some honest answers. But that is the story of another day – another post from this novice blogger!