MUSIC AND ME ✨️🎶

A painter paints pictures on canvas, but musicians paint their pictures on silence. 🎨🎶

- Leopold Stokowski. 

It is truly amazing how music can fill one's life with so much Joy. It's just a few musical notes strung together, harmoniously bursting forth from a whole range of musical instruments; and yet, for those few moments, it can literally transport you into a different world. 

Music can actually set the mood. It can lift your spirits, when you're down in the dumps; and it can evoke beautiful memories of wonderful moments, spent in the company of those you Love. For me personally, Music has always been one thing, that fills my heart with tremendous Joy.😊💕

I just spent a lovely evening yesterday, enjoying some beautiful Broadway melodies, performed live by the Bombay Chamber Orchestra. I've been for a number of their concerts over the years, thanks to a couple of old friends, who've been part of the BCO for years; and I've enjoyed every single concert, that I've been to. 

This time, was no exception. It was a wonderful experience just being there,especially since another friend, was making his debut, playing the drums for the BCO at this concert. While it must have been nerve racking for him, trying his best not to play a wrong beat anywhere, it was wonderful for us to watch him, become part of this wonderful group of classically trained musicians, which has been around for 49 long years.✨️

The group includes both young and old, from school children to people who are well into their 80's, all brought together with one single vision - the Passion for Good Music. 

Collectively, this bunch of musical enthusiasts, are the heart of Mumbai's Western Classical music circuit, because they strive to keep it alive; despite the fact that almost all of them work full-time jobs, in various other professions. Music being a little more than just a hobby for them, they manage to find the time for rehearsals, despite their hectic schedules, and the routine they have to follow, on a daily basis. I really marvel at their dedication and the focus, with which they do what they love best.

There are a number of people who learn and play music for their personal pleasure; but those who play and perform music for others, are sharing their joy with so many others, who may have had the desire to play music, but have never really been able to pursue their love for music, by actually learning to play a musical instrument.❤️

When I look at myself, I realize that all through my life, I've been connected to 'Music' in some way or the other. I've sung in Church Choirs, for as long as I can remember. I remember singing my first solo in Church, on my First Holy Communion Day, when I was just in Class 3, and barely 8 or 9 years old. From there, began my journey of singing in Choirs. 

I guess I could credit my first Music Teacher, who taught me to read notes from a Music sheet, and then turn those notes into a beautiful melody on a keyboard; with introducing me to Choir Music. She was the one, who initiated me into a love for Liturgical music. 

At different stages of my life, I've sung in a number of Church choirs, Choirs at School and in College; and with each group, I've learnt something new. I've also had an opportunity to meet and interact with a number of musicians, many of whom, play a lot more than just Church Music; and each interaction, has only added to my knowledge and Love for Music.✨️

Over the years, I've also realised that my Love for Music, has unconsciously been a very strong factor, in my choice of friends as well. A large number of my friends, right through my school and college years, and even today; are people who either sing or play some musical instrument or the other. I don't think I ever went looking for these friends though. I guess, it just happened, that the Music brought us together and made us Friends. 

This extensive list of friends, includes those who've sung for pleasure, those who sing because it's a passion, friends from college who've combined their singing talent with their amazing stage presence and been part of a number of acapella groups, friends who compose, create and direct music, and even friends whose music has been recorded and sold. While a few of these friends have gone on to win acclaim and recognition, even Internationally; most of them continue to make music or sing, simply because it brings them Joy.😊🎶

As a result of my interaction with Musicians of all kinds over the years, I've also found that the choice of genres of' music that I enjoy, spans a very wide range - from classical to non-classical, Western to Indian, soft instrumental to folk music, musicals to acapella, jazz to church music and occasionally Hindi pop music as well.

When people ask me, what kind of music I like or who my favourite singer is, I always find myself without a ready answer. I think the reason is simply because, I like so many different kinds of music, that it's difficult to actually pick and choose which one I like more than others. So, it's safer to say, I just love Good Music.🤷🏻‍♀️

The only regret I have though, is that I didn't really pursue the Musical Instrument, that I set out to learn to play, for too many years after I finished school. The desire still exists; but I guess the determination to sit down and practise, is something that needs to be worked on constantly. 

Thankfully, the fact that I still sing in a Choir, has kept me connected with reading music till today; and I sometimes console myself by saying, that as long as I can still read music, I will be able to get back to playing music, whenever I choose to.😊

I'm grateful that I can always hum a tune when I'm happy, and I'm happier still, that God has blest me with so many friends over the years, who share my Love for Music, and whose Passion for Music, has been even stronger than my Love for it.❤️

While many of my musically inclined friends are separated by time and space today, I hope and pray that they are continuing to do what they love best. Hopefully someday, we will sing together again. Maybe sometime in the future, I may be able to Sing to your tunes, or you may be able to sing Lyrics that I have written; but for the moment, may we all continue to fill the world with Music, wherever we may be.✨️🎶

P.S...In case some of my old college friends happen to look at this post, I really miss hearing you all sing and watching you perform. Just writing this post, brought back a lot of old memories, from days gone by.🤗

   

ROLE -MODELS FOR OUR GENERATION 🏏

Dreams do come true!!! For some like Sachin Tendulkar, it takes all of 22 years to become a reality; but eventually, the long and seemingly endless wait, bore fruit. For others, the wait might not seem like one at all, as in the case of Virat Kohli, who played his first ever World Cup and reaped rich dividends almost instantaneously. 

Over the last weekend, when the enthusiasm of almost every Indian rose to a fever pitch, as India won that elusive 'World Cup' after 28 long years, I joined in the revelry as well, in my own small way. I was overjoyed too. The excitement was thoroughly contagious; and it managed to rub off, even on the most confirmed cynic of the game of cricket.🏏

I've always loved the game though, and am proud to say that I've stood by the Men in Blue, even at times when they were down in the dumps and ridiculed by the world at large, for not performing well-enough. So, this win was a truly stupendous moment, and one that I will cherish forever in my memory. 

Although I was around way back in 1983, I was only about 4 years old then; and so I don't even have a faint recollection, of that momentous occasion. So, for me this World Cup win, is the first one that I will be able to remember, for a long time to come. It's a story I will be able to tell my grand-children some day, cause I was here when it happened.😊

There were a number of special moments in this World Cup, and a number of people who made this event something to remember, for a long, long time; but I'd like to write about two special people that I'm really, really happy for and proud of. When I think of this World Cup win some years down the road, the faces of these two individuals, is what will stay with me.

The first one of course, is Sachin Tendulkar. While it was his dream to hold that Cup one day; and his entire team worked so hard, in order to make that dream of his a reality, it was also a desire in my heart, to see Sachin conquer that one final summit, in the game of cricket, that had eluded him even after 6 World Cups.

Like scores of others, I too have always admired the 'Little Master' for his dedication and perseverance. He has a steely resolve and an undying spirit in him, that just refuses to give way. I admire the way he just gets better and better as the years go by, maturing like wine into the best you've ever tasted. It's been 22 years and he still seems to possess the energy and the determination to keep going for a few years more. 

Already into my 30's, I sometimes feel the strain of life catching up with me; but Sachin somehow manages to overcome every hurdle along his path. He truly is an 'Inspiration', to the world at large; and I'm proud to say, I was born in the same generation as him, and lived when he walked the face of the earth. Men like him are born just once in a lifetime; and I'm glad I've been around, to witness his various achievements.🌟

Without doubt, the second person I was really proud of, was our 'Captain Cool' - Mahendra Singh Dhoni or 'Mahi', as he is often lovingly referred to. His composure on the field, has been spoken of by many. His tactical decisions and his straightforward approach, have also been applauded by one and all. 

Over and above all of these qualities though, what stood out for me about MSD was his humility. His ability and willingness to take a back seat, is what had been most commendable. Right through the tournament, he led from the front; but when it was time to bask and revel in the glory, he didn't hog the limelight all by himself. Instead, one had to struggle to find Dhoni in the images in the newspaper, the day after the historic win. He just blended into the background so effortlessly; and so, what we saw was 'Team India', and not just the Captain who led the team.👏👏👏

I think that was the most outstanding mark of his 'Leadership'. I admire a Leader like him who can be Humble, even in the face of adulation of this proportion. To be able to stand his ground and not get carried away in the moment, is something that I am so proud of him for. I hope that MSD will continue to be as humble as he was in those winning moments always, because it is that one quality of his, that has made him rise up even higher in people's estimation.👍

The World Cup is now over; but those proud and joyous moments will live on. I may never meet Sachin or Dhoni in my life-time. My acquaintance with them, may just be restricted to the images I see of them on the T.V. screen, every time they step onto the field; but these two men, have left an indelible mark on my heart. 

More than their ability and mastery of the Sport itself, it is their 'human qualities' that have touched me and appealed to me. I pray that they may always be blest in all that they do.✨️💕

I CRY BECAUSE I CARE 😢

I didn't teach you to disobey,
Still you choose to ignore all I have to say.
I didn't show you how to cheat,
Still you persistently go astray.
I didn't put those words onto your tongue,
Still you utter profanity day after day.
I didn't display a lack of respect for you,
Still your manners are heading towards absolute decay.

I've always tried to teach by example,
Yet my actions couldn't fulfill their aim.
I've always endeavoured to practice what I preach,
Yet your behaviour generates nothing but shame.
I've always worked towards doing my best for you,
Yet the way you've turned out, makes me feel so lame.
I've always striven hard, to show you the right way to go,
Yet thru' your antics, you seldom uphold my name.

To me it seems like you just don't care,
My deep anguish is slowly turning to despair.
I've always loved you from the depths of my heart,
It now seems to have been, a waste of time from the start.

I ache with pain from my very core,
As years go by, I dread to imagine what's in store.
Times are a-changing at such a rapid pace,
Values slowly vanishing, soon to be gone without a trace.😢✍️