2006 's musical best

I yearn for good music, especially Hindi film music. The music I enjoy is something which is usually soft on ears, has a rhythm and refreshes you. Lyrics are very important to me. I am often enthralled by the way lyricists use the same set of words but pen them in a different but poetic way. Lyrics are the reasons why Ghazals are still my top draw.

I remember the days when I used to carefully collect some good music CD's; some by repeated listening, others by gut instinct based on the artists involved. Last few years though its been more of online listening and I have not followed things that closely. This year there have been some really good albums from the likes of Rahman, Pritam and S.E.L (Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy).
Here are my personal favourites this year:

1.Mitwa (Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna) - Beautiful Lyrics were enough to propel this soothing piece of melody to the top of my list. SRK has been blessed with some real good songs. I liked the revisited version as well.

2.Rang De Basanti (Rang de Basanti) - No one else could have done justice to this one other than Daler Mehendi, he's simply fabulous. The fast, peppy number energizes you no end.

3.Kya Mujhe Pyar Hai (Woh Lamhe) - Pritam has mixed rhythm and beats well to create this youthful song. Listening to it again and again had me addicted.

4.Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai (Gangster) - Again Pritam scores with this one. KK has rendered it nicely and it immediately gets on to you.

5.Aaj ki Raat (Don) - Techno music by S.E.L, great voices by Alisha Chinoy, Mahalakshmi and Sonu Nigam make this one special. Listen the DCH (Koi Kahe) like background tune.

First Snow ...

A couple of years back I had written this short poem in Minnesota. The love for the first snow is still there, though I can no longer witness it.

Sitting in the classroom,
I looked through the window,
You could see the excitement grow,
It was time for the first snow.

A vision beyond description,
With all the freshness and whiteness galore,
Somethin' so pristine, so pure,
A moment to be treasured for sure.

Though the flurries keep on coming,
It is something you no more love,
Perhaps because now we all know,
It lacks the lustre of its first show.

In winter life freezes,life is slow,
It chills as the winds begin to blow,
Just this fondness for the first snow,
Makes you look forward to many a winters that follow.

Ashes finally ..

The unprecendented hype that has surrounded the Ashes this year makes you wonder how long it has been since the last edition of this series. It was primarily because Ricky Ponting and his men began their regaining campaign (verbally) almost the day they lost it. It is a bit understandable as well, Ponting's overall record has been awesome and he certainly does not want to get remembered as the 'captain who lost the Ashes'. England, on the other hand, may feel too early to defend a title they won after almost 20 years of struggle. They might have wanted to just cherish those moments a little while longer before they get onto field again.

Ashes this year once again has Australia starting as the favourites. They have dismissed all opposition after the loss last year and look strong to get back the revenge. The Aussie squad just announced has six quicks - a problem of plenty some people may think. McGrath, Lee and Warne look certain to start and the fourth spot in my mind should be taken by Mitchell Johnson, the left arm rookie. Of whatever little I saw him, he seems to be a genuine left arm quickie and has a decent rhythm. Being left armer gives him a distinct advantage over his fellow contenders who according to me are similar to people in squad (Tait is bit similar to Lee while Clarke resembles McGrath). Aussies also have all-rounder Watson to bowl some right arm pace. Hayden,Langer,Ponting,Martyn,Hussey,Watson and Gilchrist form a formidable batting lineup and I see this side hard to beat especially in their own den.

England, on the other hand, have had several injuries, some even mental (Trescothick once again flew home with stress). In Flintoff, they have a leader who would be ready to take up any challenge with the bat or the ball. But a lot of times, such a series needs a nerve of steel and I am still not convinced about his leadership ability. Bowling wise, they will definately miss Jones (Anderson/Mahmood are not that good). Also in batting, they lack experience, and some of the new performers will need to take a centerstage. Pietersen will always be a factor but his effort may not be decisive this time around. Panesar or Giles, both don't seem to be a threat to that Aussie batting lineup. England will thus need some superlative performances if the 'urn' is to be retained. The Gabba, on 23rd Nov, will surely have some answers.

Memories to cherish

This year me and Rashmi have been quite fortunate to travel to some diverse places. Not that I have travelled more in an year before, I did travel to many places in India before but this year has been quite an experience. These trips have provided us with some unforgettable moments, three of which I would like to share today.

First of these moments came in Hawaii, a place which is closest to paradise in my mind. With so much of natural beauty to enchant you, it would be hard to see someone come out unscathed from here. We went to the summit of a volcanic peak,Halieakela in Maui on our visit. As we drove to about 10,000ft, we found ourselves on top of clouds and the sun slowly was setting below. The scattering of light , the abundance of pristine air and just your companion with you was truly divine. Second moment came when we visited Niagara Falls with parents. Just sitting there and watching the behemoth water body descend itself can be a hobby in itself. It's just a simple phenomenon but the sheer volume and ferocity of it makes you marvel at this creation. Last but not the least, came a moment when we made a trip to Las Vegas with friends. Vegas, a place unearthed from nowhere can provide each one with his or her own exciting moment. But for me, watching the mystical fountains in front of Bellagio, perform against a musical backdrop was magical. These fountains are tall and they scale heights very near to the top of the hotel that is seen behind it. We watched and re-waatched the show until we could pretend to be content and satisfied and moved on.

Needless to say, all of these will be imprinted in my memory in many many years to come.

P.S. I am aware that its not end of the year yet and there is scope for a small moment here or there.

Had a Great Fall ...

I still remember the time of the year when I landed in the US and especially in Minnesota. Though it was theoratically late summer, weather in Minnesota was swiftly welcoming the Fall with trees in and around the university campus displaying vivid colours. It was an awesome sight especially along the Scenic Drive which runs parallel to the Lake Superior with all the red and orange coloured trees lined up. The colours were much more prominent towards the end of September and early October before the leaves started fading away. As I had not seen anything like this before, I was awestruck with this form of Mother Nature and relished it for as long as it lasted. The fall season in the northern regions though beautiful, can sometimes be short as a cold wave might bring in the winter's first snow shower in no time. Even though the Californian (Bay Area) weather does not leave any room for complaints (believe me, it cannot be bettered), I still miss those colours as they are not as prolific here. I have often heard New England, Maine, Boston to have sights worth travelling for in Fall Season and may be I will someday cover up for lost opportuinities by visiting these areas. But if you also consider the Winter that follows in such places, you realise why life is a great leveller.

Time to crown the pseudo-champions

Beginning this weekend, we head into an exciting 6 months of cricket beginning with Champions trophy, Ashes and ending with WC'07. The Champions Trophy in particular has no mere importance in the cricketing calendar than being a money spinner for the ICC (and this time for the BCCI). Its format has often been criticised in the past and the criticism more often being that it sends the losing team (due to knock out structure) home after just 1 game which made it an unneccesary engagement amidst the already packed calendar. Also, there was not a need for another WC (though it was very unlike) where all the cricketing nations competed for a not-so-recognised reward. Thats what I meant by"pseudo-champions".
In this year's edition, the format has been revised with a group structure which although being a revenue driven move adds much more excitement. I know a lot of people, including myself, might be feeling "if this was not almost another WC"? Their argument is right as it will be going on for a month and involves atleast 20 games or so. But, as one of the game's most loyal fan, I would say "the more the merrier".
So, if we are to look at this year's tournament and predict the semi-finalists, who would they be? Looking at some of the possibilities I think we will have Australia (this was so easy), India (It would be foolish not to back them at home) from Group A and Pakistan (even without Inzy, I think they are a formidable side) and Q1 (Srilanka or WI: depending on who is the first qualifier). The second qualifier will go to Group A and I do not see that team going in from there. Also, both these teams have been in good form of late. And the pseudo-champions? That's a tough question but I will definately put my 2 cents on Aussies NOT being that team. Let's just keep this trophy away from them (they have never won it yet :))

Movies: Top Ten Hindi

I love movies and I love a variety of them. Ever so often we gather with friends and discuss each one's favourites, its fascinating to observe people's choices and how a person's nature has a stamp on them. I had been more of a Hindi Movie watcher until the last few years. I have often thought about my personal favs and believe me its tough to pick a few from the vast collection of movies I have watched. Here's my initial stab at it (note: this list may change if I happen to come across a new one, or an old one that I simply forgot about). Hence, your thoughts are welcome. So the list goes:
1. Anand - A Hrishikesh Mukherjee classic that was etched in my heart from a very young age, the characters, the simplicity all contributed to this real gem. This might have been the first movie which made me cry and laugh at the same time.
2.Sholay - Well, this has to be a popular choice among a lot of hindi movie buffs. It was a complete film and it was way beyond the times when it was made. Every and I mean every character was special and has remained immortal till date.
3.DDLJ - DDLJ - the SRK-Kajol love story for me is the best when it comes to this genre. I remember watching it multiple times and still craving for more. The movie really had me bowled over.
4.Company: Sleek,stylish and fast paced. Brilliant direction and some stellar performances, it just took place of "Satya" for above qualities.
5.Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa: A nice, feel good movie and characters I could identify with. Music and performances made this a highly likable affair.
6.Devdas: This Sanjay Leela Bhansali classic may not find many takers but for me it had what always attracts me to his movies: attention to detail alongwith some poetic dialogues and great performances(SRK, Madhuri). I really do not want to see the old one.
7.Rang De Basanti: A Movie that makes you think alongside other emotions. There are very few movies which affect you even a day after you have watched them, this had to be the one.
8.Andaz Apna Apna: Though a very stupid comedy but highly enjoyable, I remember watching this one over and over again and still having a hearty laugh. It just had to figure somewhere in the list.
9.Golmaal: Another of my Hrishkesh Mukherjee favourite. Again simplicity, an adorable Amol Palekar (with his middle class simple characters of those days) and a clean, neat comedy are the areas where this one scores.
10. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander: First college-sports-lovestory combo that bollywood churned out. This provides for excellent entertainment and some very good performances. Aamir Khan's best for me even after all these years.