When a singer, who we have been listening to for more than five years, gets an opportunity to sing a Christmas song, with many artists from different places, it makes us feel very happy for him. I've listened to this song quite a few times already, from the day it was released.😊
So good to see Sheridan Brass in this video, by one of my favourite groups of brothers, who sing together.🎶💕
(Song posted from the 'Music Travel Love' YT page.)
December is still a few days away, but I've been listening to Christmas songs already, over the past 3 or 4 weeks. New ones, which I haven't heard before; and others, which are always good to listen to every year, as the Christmas season draws closer.
I'm sharing two songs from my favourite Acapella group today, because I love so many of their Christmas songs.🎶
I am also sure, that I have posted these two songs before, some years ago; but it's always great to start the Christmas season, with tunes we enjoy hearing, repeatedly.😊
(Songs shared from the Pentatonix YT page.)
The Prithvi Festival began on the 1st of this month.
Yuki Ellias and Akarsh Khurana were two names that I recognised, from back in Xaviers, among the many Directors and Writers, whose plays were a part of the festival.
Yuki's play was about growing old, and how people slowly begin to lose their memory, as they age. I watched a promo of the play, in which Yuki mentioned how the play, brings out, the muddle in the mind of older people, especially if they are affected by 'dementia or other age related illnessness, that affect the memory'. She said, that she drew inspiration for some of it, by watching her own grandparents.
I couldn't make it for that one, even though I wanted to; but will hopefully watch it, whenever they stage the play, in the future.
I heard some of the reviews after the play, and everyone mentioned, that it touched their heart. While it made them laugh, it also made them cry. So, this is definitely a play to watch, whenever it happens.
The Akvarious Productions play was about an environmentalist trying to be heard, in the midst of the climate crisis, which truly is a cause for panic and alarm. He happens to be unfortunately caught among people, who really don't think, climate change is that important.
One of the reasons, why I went for this one, was because I heard, there was music in this play. Most of the performers acted and sang very well; and it was good to hear some musicians accompanying them also.
The play had quite a lot happening, right through, with the many satirical connections that the script made, to people and situations, which kept the audience thoroughly entertained.
In my opinion though, the younger people in the audience, connected with the dialogues and the script, a lot more than the older ones; because you had to be aware of everything happening in the real and virtual world, to grasp the many references made in the play.
If you're in Goa, this first of its kind crochet installation in Goa, by my friend Sheena Pereira and friends of hers, is something you could go and have a look at.
An initiative of 'The Crochet Collective' Goa, it took 25 women, 3 months, about a thousand squares and a whole lot of love to put together. The tree stands 18 feet tall, as a testament to the love of crochet and the power of community.
It's currently a part of the Festivals of Goa exhibition, at the Museum of Goa; and is available for viewing, until the 18th of January' 2026.
(Post shared from the 'Crochetwise' FB page.)
It was good to be at the NCPA, for the 'Mumbai Lit Fest' for two of the three days of the festival, on the 7th and 8th of November.
I was at the festival on the first two days, and the second day, drew in very large crowds of people, who were there to listen to, some of the prominent celebrity authors and speakers. Even the large Tata Theatre couldn't accommodate, all those who had queued up, for an hour or two before the sessions; and so, there were quite a few people who were upset that they missed out, on sessions that they had initially wanted to listen to.
Of course, since there were many other interesting events, happening at the other smaller auditoriums of the NCPA, they still got an opportunity, to enjoy the other speakers at the fest.
One of the sessions that I attended, was a conversation between Amrita Raichand and Luke Coutinho, in which Luke spoke about the 'importance of sleep and reducing stress', among other things, which are simple, yet necessary things to focus on, as lifestyle changes that everyone needs to consciously make. These were based on his book 'The Calm Prescription'.
During the process of my mother's long illness, of going through two Cancers, which lasted for close to 9 years, from 2010 to 2018; I have realised, that these are two big factors, that can help us live a healthier life, and that could possibly prevent chronic, life-threatening sicknesses. They are probably equally, or maybe even more important, than controlling our food intake, and focussing on nutrition and exercise.
It was really good to listen to Luke Coutinho in person, after many years of learning a lot through his online videos on health, nutrition and making healthier lifestyle choices.
This session was one that I attended, because I have personally gained, so much of well-researched information and knowledge, from listening to Luke's videos, for the last 10 years.
His team of Doctors and Nutritionists, were also an unforgettable support to us, through the last few months of my mother's Cancer journey, back in 2018. So, I will always be Grateful to him and to them, for everything.🤗💕
Besides that, I also thoroughly enjoyed a very interactive conversation between Sumanto Chattopadhyay and Anuvab Pal.
I had discovered Sumanto's love for language through his weekly videos called 'The English Nut', back in 2020. It was great to meet this creative personality, from the world of advertising, and to get a signed copy of his book.
Anuvab Pal is someone, that I was hearing for the first time; and I can see why, he is known as the 'intelligent stand up comedian'. Together, these two made a conversation about the English language, very entertaining.😊
I was also pleasantly surprised to meet an old student, at the Kitab Khana book stall. I felt really proud to discover, that he was a winner of one of the contests, that was conducted on college campuses a few weeks before that, as part of the festival.😊
Marine Drive is much quieter in the afternoons, as compared to the evenings, when it is very crowded. Crossing the street, and standing there by the ocean for a few minutes, is something that I always do, whenever I go to the NCPA for an event.✍️
On days like today, we all remember loved ones, that we have lost over the years.😔
But when your entire family is in heaven, you can't help thinking and talking about Angels, 24/7 and 365 days of the year.
That's just how, I still try and hold on to my family, and to all the precious memories, even so many years, after they've gone.✨️💖
May all our family members, who have moved on from this earthly life, rest in eternal peace, wherever they may be.🙏🕊
(I found these songs on YT yesterday.)
(Was reminded of a memory from three years ago, posted on 2nd November '2022.)
'Somewhere up there', we all have 'Heavenly Angels', who constantly 'watch over us', from those bright blue skies. They'll always be a part of us, no matter how many years may go by, because 'Love Lives On'.🕯🕯🕯
'Somewhere out there', we all have 'Angels among us', who were probably sent to share this journey with us, and to fill our hearts with Joy and Love, like colourful rainbows of Hope.✨️❤️
'...And everywhere I am, There You'll Be'.
A lovely song 'For your Angels and mine'.😊
THERE YOU'LL BE ✨️🎶💖
- Faith Hill
(Song shared from a YT page.)
If you have always enjoyed Disney movies, musicals and cartoons for years and years, you will enjoy these videos.😊
(Videos shared from the Walt Disney Animation Studios YT page.)
(Was reminded of this old post today. I wrote this 7 years ago, on 20th October '2018, just a little over a month, after my Mum passed away.
Maybe, it will help another person who reads this post, to find strength in times of prolonged sicknesses in the family; or help someone deal with their own tragic losses of loved ones, and with the unbearable pain that we all feel, during and after the death of people, who matter to us. Hopefully, it will just encourage us to try and be grateful anyway, even when it is very, very difficult.)
It's easy to have a positive outlook, when everything goes well, and when life is filled with joyful moments.
The real challenge is to try and keep smiling,
- when there is absolutely no reason to,
- when the situations in life cause your world, to come crashing down all around you,
- when you don't know how you're going to get through, the long road ahead,
- and when your pain is so intense, that it leaves you completely heart-broken.😪
It's always a struggle to smile through the tears and hard times, when a family member is sick or when we lose them forever; because those are the times, when it is easiest to give up on everything, and to feel completely dejected, lost and upset.
Somehow though, that same God who created us and who knows every falling tear, is always there, in the form of people who care;
- to make sure that he fills us, with the courage and strength to face the future,
- to keep moving ahead,
- and to keep living life, one moment at a time, without worrying about, what the uncertain future may have in store for us.
The greatest gift I ever received in life, was the 'Gift of a Family', and the struggles we faced together, all through our journey; because it was those very trials and difficulties, that taught me these important lessons, which will stay with me forever. I will always be Thankful to God for that.🙏😊
I enjoyed listening to this song in the movie 'Sister Act 2'. Heard a choral version sung by a different choir and an acapella version by Pentatonix today.
(Videos shared from different YT pages.)
I was just listening to a few Gospel based songs on 'Light', which speak about how, we can all be 'A Ray of Hope' to people, in little ways everyday.
Here are a few of them. Most of these, are songs written for children; but can be enjoyed by anyone who likes Gospel music.
BE A LIGHT 🪔🎶
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE 🪔🎶
SHINE YOUR LIGHT 🪔🎶
(Songs shared from different YT pages.)
Festivals are a time to spread the light of Love, Joy and Kindness. 🪔
Diwali wishes to everyone.✨️
(Ads shared from different pages on YT.)
(An old FB Memory from this day, 7 years ago, 13th October '2018. I watched this Musical at the Jamshed Bhabha, NCPA. It was a memorable experience.)
Sing India Sing! India's first original musical.🎶
It brought together so much talent in one Production.
Lyrics, Music, Choreography, Graphics and so much more.
Some of the most talented and creative people from the Mumbai Music and Theatre Industry, were a part of this one.
Written by Rahul DaCunha and Bugs Bhargava, Music by Clinton Cerejo, Directed by Nadir Khan, and with performers like Suchitra Pillai, Brian Tellis, Kamashi Rai, Uday Benegal, Siddharth Basrur, Asif Ali Beg, Delraaz Bunshah, Sarosh Nanavaty, Naquita D'Souza and many, many more fabulous people who worked on this production, it was one power-packed musical.
Lots and lots of hard work has gone into the show; and I was glad I got a chance to experience India's first attempt, at an original Musical.👏👏👏
(Promo Video shared from the Aadyam YT page.)
An old friend asked me yesterday, 'Have you processed your grief? Have you got closure after your many life struggles, over all the pain and the loss of your entire family, at the young age of 38?
Most people tend to think, that it is necessary to do this, in order to move forward in life.
I guess, that is how everyone copes or deals with, loss and death in the family. Forget all about it gradually, cover it up by making new memories everyday, bury the pain underground, never to be seen again, enjoy every moment in life, because you haven't died yet, and you're still breathing.
That probably works, for a lot of people. But, I'm not one of those people. I could never ever, close the most significant chapters of my life, just because those people, are not physically present, on this earth anymore.
A parent and a sibling, can never be replaced by anyone, even years and decades, after they are gone. It is absolutely impossible to fill in the gaps, left by the absence of a mother, a father and a brother.😪 From where do you get a new mother, a new father and a new brother, after they have died?💔...You just can't.😔
So, I will carry the memories of my parents and my brother with me, till the day I join them up in heaven. The happy memories, and the sad and difficult ones too. Those memories; even the painful ones, are what keep me connected to them...and I will hold on to every single one of them, 'Forever and Ever'.✨️💖
It's difficult to explain this concept to people. Even family and friends, don't really seem to understand.
They may want to forget. I don't want to.
They may choose to move on. I never will.
...And that's how, I deal with Loss and Death.🤷🏻♀️
No two people process 'Grief' in the same way. Each one has their own methods. It doesn't make any one, the right or wrong way. They are just different people's 'unique techniques and coping strategies', of making sense of whatever situations, life takes them through.
I'm sharing a few videos that I've watched recently. I liked listening to these. Hopefully, they may help another person, to deal with their own challenging situations, one day at a time; even if it is, two steps forward, one step backward. 🙏
While the American Thanksgiving is celebrated towards the end of November, the Archdiocese of Bombay celebrates 'Thanksgiving Day', on the first Sunday of October, every year.
It's a day on which, we give thanks for the harvest, and also for the many other blessings, that we receive constantly.
GRATEFUL 🎶
THANKFUL 🎶
(Songs shared from different pages on YT.)
(FB Memories reminded me today, that I have shared different versions of this song, on the 4th of October, over the years.)
Right through my life, I have always felt blessed that I was born on the Feast Day, of the person who wrote this beautiful prayer.🙏
So many great lessons to learn, from St.Francis of Assisi.
If more people become instruments and channels of peace each day, in their own little corner.🕊🤍
If more people care for creation, think about the environment and make a few changes, every day. 🌳🌿
This earth would soon become, a better place.😊
MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE 🎶
(Videos shared from different YT pages.)
The 2nd of October, which is the Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, is also the 'International Day of Non-Violence'.🕊
A few years ago, I discovered this beautiful song sung by one of my favourite singers, Olivia Newton-John and her daughter.
If only every nation around the globe, would find ways in which to dialogue with one another, stop the violence and end the mindless and meaningless wars, our world would be a more peaceful and a happier place.🤍
I thought I would share this song today, at the start of the month of October.
WINDOW IN THE WALL 🎶
- Olivia Newton-John and Chloe
(Videos shared from the different YT pages and I found this picture on the Internet.)
YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME 🎶
- Randy Newman
Another one of those very sweet Disney songs about Friendship.
When people are still listening to a song, even 30 years after it was composed, it means they wrote a good song.😊
(Song shared from a page on YT and the pictures are from the Disney page.)
The rainy season has just been endless, this year. Much longer than the usual 4 months. The unseasonal showers began in May, and we're almost in October; but it doesn't seem to have finished, pouring down on the earth. It almost feels like we've been sitting under a waterfall, non-stop for so many months.🌧☔️
While we're so 'Grateful', for a more than adequate supply of water, for the year ahead; we can't help smiling, every time the sun peeps out, from behind those gloomy clouds, which are still visible.🙏
But very soon, as the monsoon ends and the weather changes again, we'll be grumbling and complaining about the October heat.🌞
I guess, our human nature makes us behave like that.🤷🏻♀️ We forget to be 'Thankful for the many Blessings', which we receive in abundance, every single day.
The end of the rains, is usually the time, to look out for rainbows. I haven't seen one yet, this year. But I did think of two songs that talk about 'Rainbows', sung beautifully by Eva Cassidy.🌈
I've always loved the Disney songs. More than half the 'wonder and magic' of a Disney movie, is because of the memorable songs, in almost all their films. I have lots of favourites among them.😊
I found this lovely version, of one of the Disney songs that I like, today.
- Leslie Odom Jr. 🎶
Also sharing a duet of the same song.
- Kelly Clarkson and Cynthia Erivo 🎶
This is another lovely version of the same song, which I enjoy listening to, sung with an entire orchestra.
- Sara Bareilles 🎶
(Songs shared from various YT pages.)
