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.

June, Monsoon and Novels..

Imagine a balcony, a comfortable chair, an interesting novel and rain. Isn't it amazing.? For me, its magical and I spent my last two weekends this way at home. I read 2 (two)  novels : "Truly, Madly, Deeply" by Faraaz Kazi and "Like It Happened Yesterday" by Ravinder Singh. If one talks about first love then other talks about childhood memories. But both will definitely make you take a stroll down the memory lane. 

Reason for buying the novel :

• I bought 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' because it is the only Indian novel in the Top 100 YA Global Fiction List and the author Faraaz Kazi has won many awards for his writing style so I wanted to know what's so special about the novel.

• 'Like It Happened Yesterday' is the 3rd novel of Ravinder Singh and I have liked his earlier ones so was excited to read this one too.

Storyline :

• 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' is a Teenage Romance that revolves around the main characters Rahul and Seema. Its a beautiful knit love story that fascinates the reader. It shows how misunderstanding and ego can ruin a relationship. But for some reason I expected more from it. So according to me, its a one time read. This novel could not enter my list of favorites.  

• 'Like It Happened Yesterday' is a tale about the writer's childhood days. The story is nicely written. It will surely make the reader think about his / her school days. The title is very appropriate and even I feel those beautiful memories happened yesterday. But still I love 'I too had a love story' more which was Ravinder Singh's first novel.

Things I  liked in the Novel : 

• In 'Truly, Madly, Deeply', the writer has in-between written wonderful lines/couplets from famous books like How Do I Love Thee, I Love You As a Valley, Speak, Farewell to Love etc. Then the conversation between Father Tuscano and Rahul where he explains to him that : "Problems happen son. Nothing is perfect, not even life. God give us problems so that we can stand true to his test. Like every lock has a key, every problem has a solution. Sometimes you find the key in the unlikeliest of all places." is really inspiring. Even the debate speech that Rahul gives on "Is India truly free after Independence?" is thoughtfully written.

• In 'Like It Happened Yesterday', the Author's Note left me with a feeling of oneness as if the writer cares for the every single reader who reads his book. The write has written many lines in Punjabi throughout the book which I really loved because I am a Punjabi and could imagine the scenario in which those lines were said and written. It was nostalgic to read such a story that made me miss my innocent, sweet days. As a kid we all want to grow up quickly and enjoy things we are not allowed to do but when we are young and responsible we want to go back. Strange.!

Things I din't liked in the Novel :

• In 'Truly, Madly, Deeply', on page 36, Raj who is in conversation with Rahul says "Stop sounding like those filmy chutias and tell me what the news is?" For a second I could not believe a novel that has been internationally acclaimed uses such a word. Weird.! 

• In 'Like It Happened Yesterday', there is nothing as such.

I bought both the novels from Amazon.in and must say everything was so hassle free that I will surely buy from them again.

         

*Special Note* : In no way this is a comparison between the two novels. I just tried to collect and write my thoughts into one post. The views about the novels are personal which may differ from public view. I have no intentions to hurt anyone. A big Thank you to all those who stop by and read my posts. God Bless :)


Connect with the authors : 

• Twitter : Ravinder Singh (Like It Happened Yesterday)
• Twitter : Faraaz Kazi (Truly, Madly, Deeply)

34 Bubblegums and Candies..

I am back with another post & it’s about a novel that I read recently. Reading gives me strength, courage and nurtures my soul. But the sad part is I don’t implement the good things I read. Anyways the novel is “34 Bubblegums and Candies” by Preeti Shenoy, it’s a national bestseller. I don’t know Preeti personally but I like her as an artist & then as a novelist. I have read her another novel “Life Is What You Make It” a year ago and that time the novel helped me in some way because I was going through a low phase. 

34 Bubblegums and Candies is a collection of 34 real life incidents, some are humorous, some are moving, some thought provoking but each one brings out the essence & flavour of a journey called Life. 

The writer starts with a positive note saying ‘No matter how bad a day you had & no matter how hopeless the situation that you are in , things always change. Always. It’s just a matter of time’. Each morning when you open your eyes you are gifted 86,400 seconds to make a difference. And that itself is worth celebrating! 

You may not like all the 34 short stories / incidents but somewhere you’ll surely feel connected. So I am sharing some beautiful lines from the novel. 

• If there is an underlying bond of deep love, no matter how terrible the misunderstanding, the relationship survives. 
• It is best to be like the duck that goes with the flow. To float along the river effortlessly, enjoying the gentle flow of the water and to treat barbs and insults thrown at you like the water that falls on a duck’s back. 
• There are so many positive & uplifting things in life. There is so much beauty, so much joy. Life is so short and so fleeting. Its entirely up to us enjoy each moment.
• May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
• The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your failures and heartaches. 
• Oh God, grant me the courage to accept things I cannot change, to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. 

Chapter 16: 'Stay or Stray', describes an amazing story about a couple who are about get divorced but they don’t when they realize each other's value. 

Chapter 22: 'When Life tricks you', also shares a very motivating story that gives a lesson ~ When the hour is the darkest and trials are the greatest elevate yourself to another level. 

Though its said that it is difficult to understand Women but I liked the way the writer has written in Chapter 27: What women want. Chapter 34: Live Love Laugh, has a list that everybody can follow. 

The list is : 

1) Laugh heartily

2) Have Sex Often 

3) Spend time with children 

4) Stay away from the grouches and the drains 

5) If you love someone say it 

6) Be content with your body 

7) Enjoy the small things 

And I loved the end note ‘How this book came to be’. Its so true ~ Laugh & others laugh with you; Cry & you cry alone. So live without regrets, the gift of Life is worth cherishing.

Connect with the author : 

• Twitter : Preeti Shenoy

because... every raindrop is a HOPE

Ernest Hemingway once said : “There is no friend as loyal as a book” and now I understand how true it is. As a child I never liked novels, I was more interested in short story books but then gradually my urge to read made me like them. Though I don't have a huge library at home still whenever I get time I make a point to read some good ones. I always felt like writing my views about the novels I read but it just couldn't happen and this time I am writing it & its about a novel called because... every raindrop is a HOPE. Honestly, I bought this novel just because of its Title.!

because... every raindrop is a HOPE is written by Mansi Sharma and Sankalp Kohli. Its a nice story and towards the end of the novel you'll surely get a lesson but it wasn't one of the best book I have ever read. Anyways every writer has his or her own way and sometimes it doesn't connect well with all the readers.While reading the novel i came across some beautiful lines which I would like to share :

"As long as every dusk gives you a Dream,
 As long as ever dawn gives you a Hope,
 Remember, there is a bit of Life waiting between the two..!"

"When Life comes, Love comes..
 When Love comes, Hope comes..
 But then when Love cannot go; Hope shouldn't..
 And, as long as Hope is still there, Life still is.."

"They say Life is difficult, I say who wants it to be easy;
 They say hold things or else they would be gone, I say value them & say Sorry I was wrong;
 They say try not to hurt close to ur heart, I say ensure stupid things don't set them apart;
 They say always tell what they mean to you, I say do that before your time is through;
 They say people are either good or bad, I say all are good, circumstances make a few bad;
 They say be with the one who loves you, I say never let go the one who love you;
 They say Life's all about moving on, I say.. Cum'on bring it on.!"

The novel tries to explain the difference between Self and Ego. It says self is what we actually are but ego is what we start thinking or believing we are because of the perception that world around us cultivates in us. Ego is necessary but when it goes beyond a limit it takes you far away from yourself and you no more realise what you are, you are ruined as a person. Chasing your dreams is right but losing your ownself in the want of your dreams is wrong.

The writer also throws a light on the 2 most misunderstood words : Love & Infatuation. Infatuation is always overrated while love is often underestimated. The truth is there is nothing love at first sight, never does it happen. Infatuation is when you don't know a person, yet you just are attracted to him/ her. Thus, it cannot be called an illusion however it may or may not turn into love. At last I want to quote a line from the novel : 

"Life doesn't end, as long as every raindrop is a  hope...."

Connect with the author : 

• Twitter : Sankalp Kohli