Hold My Hand..

Now books and writing have become a part of my life. If I don't read or don't blog my mind keeps reminding me that I need to take out time for this too. I have realized it actually gives me happiness and satisfaction. Luckily in September 2013 I took part in a giveaway and won a signed copy of Durjoy Datta's Hold My Hand. I have read his earlier books and getting a signed copy made me excited. 

The story is about 'Deep' who is obsessed with books and a beautiful girl 'Ahana' who has a rare congenital disease leaving her blind. The story has four parts. Part One explains how much Deep is fond of books and cannot imagine his life without them. The character has been described as a geek who is not at all fashionable and is the dimmest end of the spectrum going by the current standard of being hot or good looking. But he gets a chance to go to Hong Kong to study and test the library cataloging software at the head office of ATS Technologies. Deep meets Ahana on the lift of the Hotel for the first time and after few unexpected meetings together they explore Hong Kong. Aahana guiding with the smells and sounds of the wondrous city and Deep bringing to life the sights he sees. Part Two is from the Blind Girl's perspective. Part three and four unfolds the story further which has a Happy End. Overall the plot is good. Its a nice weekend read but there was something about it that it couldn't be the best. I think the author had all the ingredients to prepare an awesome platter but unfortunately he could not. Nevertheless every experience teaches something and may we get to read better stuff from him.

Honestly I have never read a story that had a blind character and through this book I realized how it feels to miss life's simple joys. How we never appreciate and pay gratitude that all our organs are functioning properly instead we constantly discuss things we don't get. There are few things that I really liked in the novel : 

• In chapter 5 how nicely Deep answers his ex-girlfriend Archana when she says I don't know why you had to be so into books and he says Books make us better people. Books only taught me it’s important to empathize with people because people are complex and beautiful and often irrational & hard to understand and so are you. It was books that helped him get over her even after she cheated him.
• Part Two explains Ahana's feelings. The way she wishes that her blindness should have come with a notice period and how frustrating it is to learn about something she can't see. In chapter 19 she says I wish to be like others, fall in love, hold someone's handnot because I have to but because I want to; a normal life where I can grow old with someone. It really made me sympathetic towards the character.
• Also in chapter 26 when Ahana's father goes missing while he was on a test flight it made my eyes moist because its so painful to lose a person you solely depend on. Fortunately he din't die and Ahana could smile again.

Would like to end my post with a line quoted in book : She too has dreams to be married to someone who will always be with her in thick and thin.!

Connect with the author : 

• Twitter : Durjoy Datta

It Started With a Friend Request..

Everytime I buy a novel there is a reason behind it no matter how unimportant it is. I am not addicted to social websites but I make a point to check whenever I get time. So few months back I came across a hashtag #ItStartedWithAFriendRequest on Twitter that was trending at that time. I checked and it was about Sudeep Nagarkar's 3rd book with the same name. Honestly, I had never heard about him and therefore Google helped. Recently I bought this book, read it and now writing about it.

The story is about Akash and Aleesha who meet at 'Thrive' disc in Mumbai for the first time, exchange their BBM pins and their love story starts. But their journey together is not so easy. The plot is good with an unexpected twist. The writer has tried to write more beyond a love story and portrayed obsession too. And not to miss there is too much love making throughout the book. It also consists of some cute long texts that Akash and Aleesha exchange. While reading the story you can get some ideas too like gifting your partner a bedsheet and cushion covers with your photographs printed on it (*Wink*)! The story has a happy ending and overall the book is a lovely one time read. But I will suggest if you had a heart break recently please don't read as it will remind you a lot about the moments you spent with your ex. 

Personally, the part that I din't like was the introduction of characters which is not very  impressive. Also the fact that outer beauty is over-exaggerated. What about those who are not drop dead gorgeous.? They can't love or their story cannot start with a friend request.? I believe when you fall in love it just happens you don't specially find a beautiful partner rather you see beauty in your partner. I feel the story could have been written better. I would like to end the post with a song that both the characters posted as their BBM status in the story : 

Seedhay saade saara saula seedha seedha hona jee..

Maine tum ko paana hai ya tune main ko khona jee..

Aaja dil ki karein saude baazi, kya naraazi arrey aare aare yaar..

Connect with the author : 

• Twitter : Sudeep Nagarkar

Paradise..

Who wouldn't like to live in a place which is positive, harmonious and eternal? A place where one can live happily, enjoy every moment and stay till their last breath. Don't we all dream of such a paradise? But do you think such a place exists.? 

For everyone the meaning of paradise is not the same. A child may dream of a world full of chocolates as a paradise, a young boy may dream of a beautiful place with a sweet girl as his paradise and a young girl may think of a paradise where she could live till eternity with her prince charming. Some might imagine a paradise to be luxurious, comforting and relaxing but for some it might be a place where they can free themselves from all the burden they have been carrying. 

Living in this world, everyday is a new experience. One day you may be on cloud nine, the other day you may want to hide yourself somewhere and never come out but this is the beauty of life. No matter what happens you never stop moving. You cannot stay in the clutches of the past. You have to be strong and stand up. If bad things won't exists we might not value the good ones. 

Thirst may explain you what it means to have water by your side, Hunger may tell you the importance of food, Loneliness may show you what it means to be with your loved ones, Tears may make you realize the importance of laughter.

While writing this post I have mixed emotions. One part of me wants me to write only about Happiness and the other part of me wants to write about the darker side (unhappiness).  I would never ever like to hurt anyone or spread sadness around but sometimes feelings needs words and so here it is. Anyways the idea of the Paradise came from a song named "Paradise" by Coldplay. It was released in 2011 but I came across it just two days back. The song touched me somewhere and I feel I am the same girl they are singing about. Even I expect from the world but everytime it always flies away from my reach. I close my eyes I dream of a paradise when I can throw away the heavy baggage and meet my soul. But life goes on crushing the  innocence. Every tear seems a waterfall. Even though I lie under those stormy skies I still believe the sun will rise..

Music Meets Happiness! (Coke Studio Season 3)

Internet has truly been a blessing in the sense that you can search and listen to your favorite song anywhere anytime. You have so many choices ranging from year, artist, language and so on. I love music because it is always there to support me no matter what. So one fine day when I was finding a song on YouTube I came across some videos of Coke Studio Pakistan and I was really impressed by some of the songs. I even downloaded a few and kept listening on repeat mode. In 2011, Coke Studio India was made but I din't pay any heed to it until I came across Clinton Cerejo's "Madari" which was a huge hit. It was one of the songs from the 1st episode of Season 2 (2012) and is sung by Vishal Dadlani, Sonu Kakkar.

This year came the third season of Coke Studio India with a bang. It started with A.R. Rahman's beautiful composition "Zariya" which is one of my favorite. It is sung by Ani Choying and Farah Siraj. The lines : 'Tu Zariya Hun Main Zariya aur Uski Kirpa Dariya Dariya..' captured my heart. Such deep meaning and so beautifully sung. Episode1 has total 6 songs, all composed by A.R. Rahman.

Episode2 also has 6 songs composed by Ram Sampath. My favorite from this episode is "Dum Dum Andar". Its is sung by Sona Mohapatra and Samantha Edwards. It is nice song with well written lyrics. One can relate it to God or soul. 'Dum Dum Andar Bole Yaar Hardum Andar Bole Yaar, Yaar Mein Main Boloon na Bollon Mere Andar Bole Yaar..'

What can I say about Episode3, according to me it is the best of all. Clinton Cerejo has composed 6 songs. If you listen to all the compositions peacefully with headphones in, it can transform your thinking process or the least it can do is make you think what you are exactly doing with your life.! Here is my interpretation of the songs :

• Song1 : Peer Jalani sung by Clinton Cerejo and Manga Khan (Barmer Boys)

Though I din't understand what Manga Khan sings but I loved Clinton Cerejo's part. In the 1st verse I felt that someone is asking you what exactly are you doing, you will have to leave here everything so stop stressing yourself and the 2nd verse is like a conversation between a man and God where the person requests God to make his life simpler, I had been away from you but I want to be with you ('Asaan kardey ye mera jeena, main judaa tumhi se ab tumhi se hai nibhana..')

• Song2 : Aisi Bani sung by Clinton Cerejo, Bianca Gomes, Vijay Prakash, Sonu Kakkar

Honestly, I cried the first time I heard this song. It shakes you from within. It tells you that speak nicely to anyone you meet because everyone is fighting a battle in their lives ('Aisi Bani Boliye Mann Ka Aapaa Khoye, Chotil Sab Hain Marham Marham Boliye..'). There is another line in between that says what has happened to this world, Even my god is crying after seeing all this ('Es Shareef Jagat Nu Ki Hoya, Aye Vekh Jajoor Mera Royaa..'). The intensity and depth with which the lines have been sung will surely remind you some real incident. Lovely Song.. 

• Song3 : Pinjra by Jonita Gandhi and Sanam Puri 

Another amazing song what I listen specially when I am sad. It kind of gives me peace and strength. I want to share the lyrics because it says it all..

Pinjra pinjra kholke waadi, kholke waadi khol de,

Pinjra pinjra..

Hoon kis jurm mein kaidi,

Hoon kiska apraadhi,

Dum ghutata hai de chutkaara,

Ki galtee se galtee, ki baaki manmarzi,

Ab faislaa kar bhi, chal aajaa,

Ek arzi bheji hai tujhko,jaldi se sunwaa,

Meri gunaahi tu mujhko, be jhijhak ginwaa,

Ek arzi bheji hai tujhko, jaldi se sunwaa,

Chudwaa rihaayi de mujhko..

• Song4 : Baina by Clinton Cerejo and Vijay Prakash

It is another captivating song. The lyrics are more about self discovery.

Ohe raat din nahin chaina,

pi bin palak na sariye,

ab lagan lagi ki kariye,

na jisakiye na mariye,

ye agan birohn di jallee,

koi hamri preet niwaarey

kar saaj sajaavat haari,

koi hamri preet sanwaarey,

bin darshan kaise tariye..

• Song5 : Marghat by Siddharth Basrur

I could relate this to today's world where girls are not safe, people kill  parents or siblings for money, blood and money everywhere. The lyrics are very true..  Specially the lines : 

Kyun rootha sa rehta hai,

Kis aag mein behtaa hai,

Ujli tasveer pe rang laal fenknaa,

Kyun marghat banngaya,

Teri pehchaan thi,

Tu thaa insaan hi,

Kyun marghat banngaya..

• Song6 : Kalapi by Kailash Kher

This is very peppy number. Kailash Kher has sung it so joyfully. You almost feel so connected. Here a girl is telling her dad why are you sending me to someone else home. I belong to you ('Torey Khoontey Ki Main Gaiyaa, Kaahein Bhejloo Dusree Duwaare..')

Episode4 is done by Salim Sulaiman. Out of the 6 songs, my Favorite is "Bismillah" sung by Salim Sulaiman, Kailash Kher and Munawar Massom. Another mesmerizing composition.

Episode5 songs are composed by Papon (Angaraag Mahanta). My favorite one out of the 6 is "Benaam Khwaayishein" sung by Papon and Anweshaa. It has a classical feel to it but very soothing.

Episode 6 has 5 songs by Amit Trivedi. My favorites are Naariyan by Amit Trivedi, Karthik & Shalmali Kholgade and Kyun Na by Amit Trivedi, Dhruv Sangari, Karthik & Chandana Bala. 

• Naariyan has a very urban feel. Its sort of a cute conversation between a boy and a girl where the girl says I am who I am, I am neither your goddess nor your maid (Aisi main waisi main jaisi bhi hoon, Na main Teri Devi, na main dasi). 

• Kyun Na on the other hand is a power packed song that explains better to change yourself first rather than complaining about the world. Why don't we change our perspectives on people? 

Episode 7 composed by Hitesh Sonik has 6 songs but Haal Ve Rabba by Hans Raj Hans & Shruti Pathak is my favorite. Soulful voice of Hans Raj Hans is epic and the song is surely a treat to his fans!

The season ends with Episode 8. It has 6 songs composed by various composers.

Every song has been made with Happiness, Love, Joy and ofcourse Hardwork. Each song has a different place for itself. Music is more about creating happiness and Coke Studio India has done it this time.! 

Even though it is a collective effort from the musicians to singers to composers but I still feel it is not possible to create such a magic with the powerful words so the lyricist has an important role too. I wish all the team of Coke Studio India and all the people associated all the very best.. Keep rocking 

Connect with the Coke Studio India and the singers on Twitter : 

@CokeStudioAtMTV, @ClintonCerejo, @arrahman, @salim_merchant, @Sulaiman_M, @paponmusic, @sonamohapatra, @okakifreak, @SonuKakkar, @Kailashkher, @binkybee, @jonitamusic, @sanampuri3, @farahsiraj, @rvijayprakash

Lamha Tera Mera..

Last Tuesday when I logged in my twitter account I saw a tweet about a new song from Raeth and I quickly opened the link. I already like Bhula Do and Tum Meri Ho which are famous songs of the Raeth Band but this time it was not from their album but a Bollywood movie. 

I am talking about Lamha Tera Mera from Zanjeer (2013) picturised on Priyanka Chopra and Ram Charan. The song is written by Manoj Yadav, Music is by Chirantan Bhatt. It is sung by Wajhi Farooki (Vocalist of Raeth) and Palak Muchhal.

I am not a die hard fan of anyone in the world but when I genuinely like something, I don't forget to appreciate it. Honestly, I have been listening to this song since 5 days continuously. One reason is ofcourse the music, second reason is the beautiful voices and third is the amazing video. The song is soooo sweetly done that I loved it when I saw it for the first time. I want my partner to be somewhat this way, always around me, making me feel special even in the low times, accepting me the way I am but still loving me unconditionally. He should be such that I can be ME with him without caring about anything else in the world.  

Now read the Lyrics and watch the Video : 

Tum aur hum jo saath hain
Khushnumaa ehsaas hai
Sab kuch naya kyun iss tarah lagne lagaa..

Hum aur tum jo saath hain
Kya kahein kya baat hai

Har pal mein tu

Haan tu hi tu

Milne lagaa..

Kya hai ye?
Kya ye pyaar hai?
Hum ko hua ye pehli baar hai
Jo bhi hai, tere saath hai
Ye lamha tera mera..

Aankhon ne pehna chehra tera
Dhadkan ne odhi khushboo teri (x2)

Jee rahi hoon main har pal ab aahat teri
Dikh rahi hoon main mujh mein bas chaahat teri
Aisa asar hai tera..

Ye toh hai, ye toh pyar hai
Humko hua ye pehli baar hai
Jo bhi hai, tere saath hai
Har lamha tera mera
Har lamha tera mera, hum dono jaisa
Har lamha tera mera, mohabatton sa
Har lamha tera mera..

A Romance with Chaos..

Yes.! You read it right. These days Romancing is everyone's cup of tea but hardly or rarely anyone will like to romance with chaos in their lives. A Romance with Chaos is the name of the novel written by Nishant Kaushik. The title is little similar to my present situation in life and that was one of the reason I bought it. Moreover I have been following Nishant on twitter and his nice, humorous tweets were also a reason for buying his novel.

The story revolves around the main character Nakul Kapoor who manages to fetch a decent job with a famous company Bytesphere in Mumbai. It tells about Nakul’s childhood, crush, friends, family, love, job, work and the challenges he faces in his simple yet complex life. He has loving parents who wish to see him married and get settled in life.  He has a sweet sister Tisya Kapoor who often complains that being in the same city her brother never comes to meet her and spend time with her family. He has a girlfriend, Kavya a budding fashion designer who wants him to earn more otherwise she won’t be able to buy a Gucci Dress.  He has a colleague, Vishal Tiwari who is a dear friend and whose wife wants Nakul to help her husband to excel at professional front. He has a boss, Chirayu Chaudary who wants him to work without any acknowledgement. Thus, He finds himself in such a cobweb that he cannot come out of it but then something happens that teaches him life's greatest lessons.

Things I liked in the Novel : 

The way the Nakul Kapoor introduces/describes himself in Chapter 1 is hilarious but very close to reality too. Then in Chapter 4 comes the cutest character of the novel Kohinoor Pratap Kesari, not that he is actually cute but he is so innocent that he won't ever understand what manipulation, cheating or politics mean. 

Nakul needed a roommate to share the rent & Kohinoor needed  a house to live so they both stay together which can be better termed as Morning and Night together or North Pole and South Pole together! They both are so different in nature that their conflicts make you laugh. 

Chapter 14 was an eye opener that explains how someone you trust can only break your trust. When Nakul was all set to travel London for an onsite project it was Vishal who requested Chirayu not to call him onsite. Though Nakul was embarrassed that he had to return from the airport, he did not give up and tackled the situation well.

Chapter 15 has sketches made by Payal (who is Nakul's parents choice for Nakul's better-half). I really liked the idea, how the author molded those sketches to fit them with the story. I am sure everyone will find some similarities in their life and the sketches.

In further chapters the story takes a beautiful turn and the person who never believed in Social Service starts and heads a campaign taking everyone together. My Favorite is the last chapter "The World isn't a Supermarket" in which Nakul gets Young Achiever of the Year award which he dreamt in the very beginning. He delivers an amazing speech. 

I hope like Nakul everyone will be able to find that "X element" that can make them happy. I would like to end the post with a sweet text that Kohinoor sent Nakul just to cheer him up :  

Let your smile be brighter than the sun, So that even your worries have to face the glare before they face you.

Connect with the author : 

• Twitter : Nishant Kaushik

Songs I love to listen...

During childhood we all listen stories from our grandmother or mother about the prince and the princess. We start believing in this magical world without releasing its just about fictional characters. I read a tweet on twitter that said : "I guess my prince charming just took a wrong turn, got lost, and is too stubborn to ask for directions". Anyhow I believe that God loves me and he will send someone who will be worth all the wait. 

Usually there are many songs that are so amazing that you often dream about your partner or soul-mate and sometimes the lyrics are so beautiful that you forget everything else. Here is a list of songs that I love listening every now and then. 

Song	Artist / Band	Video Link	Facebook Page
Aahatein	Agnee	Aahatein Ho Rahi Teri	Agneelive
Kash Yeh Pal	Jal	Kash Ye Pal Tham Jaye	JalTheBandOfficial
Emptiness	Gajendra Verma	Tune Mere Jana	Gajendravermaofficial
Bhula Do	Raeth	Bhula Do Bhula Do	TheRaeth
Tum Meri Ho	Raeth	Tum Meri Ho	TheRaeth
Main Laut Aaunga	Kaash	Main Laut Aaunga	KaashTheBand
Yaad Aaonga	Lagan	Yaad Aaonga	No page but Visit this
Koi Labda	Symt, Sanam Marvi	Koi Labda	Symt360
Tere Bin	Uzair Jaswal	Tere Bin Nahi Lage Jiya	UzairJaswalMusic
Neray Aah	Overload, Rachel Viccaji	Neray Aah Zaalama Ve	Overload
Tu Kya Jaane	Kailash, Naresh, Paresh	Tu Kya Jaane	Kailashkher.official
Ijazat	Falak	Ve Jan Valeya	FalakOne

This is just one list, will upload more soon.! 

Till then enjoy listening.. Stay Blessed :)

*Note : I tried to collect accurate and best possible information, in case anyone finds that the data is not correct please leave a message.