Falling For A Mighty Heart

 When that someone asks you to get lost I would say don’t hesitate; sometimes it is necessary to take it a bit too seriously and then find out a place that will make you feel lot more a stranger than you usually are. I am genuinely blabbering I know, because it’s tough this time; I think I want to talk about being in love. It sounds stupid, but it was just perfect exactly the way I have imagined. That compelling urge to fall wholeheartedly I felt, was fierce. I don’t even know what this ‘love at first sight’ crap is all about, Just as the way I can’t hate a person in first sight it is one of those myths for me. But for us silly humans, we can’t really predict what life has in store for us.

As long as I can remember I had a thing for forests and it goes back to school days. My brain must have had developed a great deal of fantasies about being in luscious Rain Forests back in there. I still recall how my heart used to pound thinking about Amazon which would eventually find a refuge at my nearest possible destination which is Silent Valley. It’s not my Science or geography teacher who did that voodoo on me it’s the lush green, the mighty trees and the exotic fauna there. I‘ve personally felt that all such pure cravings of a Human soul are more sacred than any man made shrines or relationships.

That was not a planned tour; we had a different purpose in Attappady – to visit SARANG. We had to travel from Trichur to Palakkad and from there to Mannarkkad all in public transportation. From Mannarkkad we took a bus to Aanakkatti that’s how we reached Agali. I had no clue that I would be staying any closer to Silent Valley and AHADS - where we had our stay arranged surely has a beautiful campus. But everything seemed frivolous to what I felt in those woods. It was intense, deep and I kept on falling for every candid hue of Green. Every hill there seemed to have a mighty heart for me; rocks stood like the most powerful Guardians had me euphoric. I haven’t seen such huge rocks before, standing tall for meters and meters amidst a Rain forest; these Western Ghats is a symbol of Nature’s strength.

It was just two of us and we had none around to guide us, so… basically it was us and a lot of strangers. We only saw a small part of Silent Valley but  something happened when I saw those mighty trees, they were tall and even their roots are longer because I could see them at every curve we passed. Although we don’t hear, I know these trees can talk; if they think that you love them they talk a bit louder, and the wind carry their conversations afar. I even started to think of my death while climbing the pass (funny but its true); I thought if I die there, I would want my parents to know that I had the most beautiful death I can dream of in this lifetime. But… I think it’s not my time yet. 

Every path we take would lead us to some fresh water streams or river and that’s it, we can't ignore the water, breeze, rocks and also there are huge Wind mills; I have not seen such a thing ever before. In such a climate my physical conditions normally won’t allow me to take things for granted. I have a chronic sinusitis that instantly kills all of my strongest desires to romance with a chill weather, but surprisingly I was perfectly alright. First time ever in my life I experienced ‘greed’, greed to fill my lungs and every pore in my body with fresh air.

Away from noise, pollution and my home I found a home to fall in love, to feel whole alive. It’s impossible for me to make you feel what I have felt there, it’s even harder to explain in words and I am sure these feelings are indigenous to Humans but we are taught to limit ourselves. This Society has already framed everything for us; love is that what you feel for money and those silly pleasures but then what about greater sense of Love, Love this society made you believe does not exist. When man eye for economic development there starts exploitation, that’s what it happened there too. Many of the rivers disappeared and AHADS team had been trying to reinforce the ecosystem and I think they are pretty much successful in doing so. When I got back I had myself in a closed room in tears for no reason, I already started missing everything about that place and this I know - I want to go back and be there for some time because True Love is something Pure, Irresistible and Deep like a Rain Forest!  

(My Bad I didn’t carry a camera, I only had my mobile cam and much thanks to Rahman sir, Amit Trivedi and Avial band for such beautiful songs.Usually when I travel my playlist simply  have all Alternate Rock stuff but this time I had gone all Desi. Amit Trivedi’s  Pareshaan, Rahman sir’s Rockstar especially Tum Ho and 22FK songs from Avial and Rex topped my list )

Water

This pic was taken at Thusharagiri Waterfalls, Calicut.

Water – it has always been something beyond a plain liquid to quench my thirst, in fact it is one of those GREAT feelings to me. I would love to indulge in water as much as I long for the sight of roses in garden. It is much of an intriguing but a true feeling. It has not been very long since I realized my insatiable love for this element. Perhaps there is an unrequited way of loving the very causes of our life. I don’t go by the might of it or any physical characteristics when it comes to my affinity towards water because I would have preferred the mountains (earth) in any such case.

Food delivers such a gratifying feeling for many I know, but that does not work right for me, for some reason unknown. I don’t know if it has something to do with my body temperature because it seems to be pretty high most of the time, well I don’t believe it is the only reason. Of course water is not a dubious idea at all for me to frown at, unlike air I can see it. In fact it is conspicuous by all means; in that case it is certainly not my curiosity at play.

Seeds of this love might have sown during my School/hostel days. We had to literally walk for kilometers to fetch some water when we were merely 12 or 13, but that has definitely taught us the value of it. Tell you the truth, those days a bucket full of water for a day was considered a big fortune. Over the years these memories have bestowed much an intensified feeling for Water that now, the very first touch of it can take me away from this abyss called life.

Thusharagiri Water falls

Rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and oceans the bliss is endless, even the monsoon clouds speak a language of water. If you listen carefully you will hear stories of life that were passed on to them through roots to the trees destined at the Sky. Have you ever noticed the joy of a swan dancing on water? I have always admired that pure bliss. So whenever I dance I want to feel like walking on water, gracefully surrendering to a Water God. Also, I think my Soulmate (if exists) would be someone more like water you know Deep (and bluish :D), since I don’t know swimming I’m warned for a drowning death in a Water world.

Angels And Demons

Most of the people are terrified by the very idea of ‘God’ ‘Angels’ ‘Demons’ etc. If you agree or not I think there exists an associated fear that travels from person to person along with these ‘religious’ terms. I swear, my intention here is not to give you some religious delight when I, myself is so illiterate on any religion and most importantly, majority of people find it so irrelevant and insignificant in recent times. As a walking primate, my stupidity has given me enough of opportunities to grow fond of every related ethereal entity and at this point of time, I find myself accountable to share my thoughts on these ‘ideas’.

We are all acquainted with them on moving frames. With Angelic faces and benevolent nature Angels are believed to be the servers of God whereas Demons are species of dismal outrage and core of all dreadful deeds. They look much obscure and interesting on a parallel universe far from reality. On a personal note, they are closer to my heart than my brain & I count myself among those who have a valid link connecting both. As a kid, I thought sky is the abode of Angels and it’s over those white clouds, they graze and I imagined them to be extraordinary singers (I don’t know what I would have thought of Angelic voice until I heard Enya) who would croon us to stillness on, sleep deprived nights. Well, I remember some of those nights surrendering to luxury of sleep like never before; after most unfortunate days.

Our knowledge of this physical world as well as the spiritual world is very much limited. Always remember the Absolute or Final Truth is beyond the reach of men which leave us with more opportunities to improve ourselves as Humans. We expect to see growth in every area of life but just think how ignorant are we at ourselves? We don’t want to conform to the laws of nature; our ignorance does not allow us to believe in stories of Angels (Good) and Demons (Evil). Well, they are all part of our lives. They are trees, flowers, birds; they are among those people we meet every day and sometimes those strangers whom we don’t even meet on a daily basis. But the question is ‘Do you really want to see what life is offering?”

When I look back now, I can see too many people. Most of them are friends; from school, from college, roommates in hostels, colleagues. My reminiscences say that, I had wonderful people around me when I was in need. We would not have freaked out or acted out to be best friends but every little deed and care of such people has added little more light into my life. For life is the greatest teacher, some of the lessons are to be learned in toughest ways and that is all about the bad times and wrong people. Demons or devils or whatever it is; they are in all of us. For me they are those lousy human beings who have no self-respect or moral values. Finally it’s up to us, what we make of it. If we let us drown looking at the misfortunes, we will never recognize the presence of Angels in our lives. Such times are the best stage set for self realization to know what it differs us from others. Don’t think that I am on a judging spree but I am watchful and that is what life has taught me in 25+ years. I still believe in Angels because I love to feel their presence in my life and Life - it is my favorite subject.

Have a Great Day People! J

Minds Without Fear

When I first listened to Imogen Heap I knew she is going to be one of those - my most favorite singers today; but however I could never imagine her singing Hindi lyrics some day. As a part of ’The Dewarists’, her latest track a collaboration with one of the Indian music director/ singer Vishal from Vishal-Shekhar duo is a big surprise for me. I find Imogen as an extremely talented musician who create original music with a whole lot of amazing instruments. These instruments produce sounds that are closer to the sounds in Nature, that’s what I’ve felt and she keeps on bringing fresh sound to my ears. Here is the new track Minds Without fear.

This Imogen/Vishal song “Minds Without Fear’ is inspired from one of Rabindra Nath Tagore Poems. Tagore, for me is a great saint and writer whose Gitanjali is my favorite book. It is among those books closer to my heart where each word is a reflection of a man’s wisdom. Gitanjali was given to me as a consolation prize in my school for winning  third place in a singing competition when I was in 6th std. And it is first of its kind for me (for singing) therefore the most precious prize ever. That was the first time I participated in any singing competition and winning was like heaven because I remember competing with my seniors.

My school Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya is a boarding school where you get admission only from 6th standard and have to spend 7 years till completing 12th std strictly inside the campus. That truly have been a life changing experience for me which makes me the person that I am today. Away from family, away from everything I had seen and known we lived in a world of our own like a Big Family.

About Minds Without Fear, I don’t know if any of my friends remember that Malayalam Prayer we had in our School. Our Music sir Asokan Sir taught this one when I was in 10th or 11th. What I remember is, he only tuned this Prayer with Tagore’s poem and I must say that is one of the most beautiful prayers we had in School. I’m not sure how many of my school friends remember this one because he directly taught us – music club of our School. So I had this privilege of learning it directly from him and I don’t think they had included it in our Syllabus. Anyway it is still one my favorite prayers. Now when I listen to Imogen/Vishal song, memories of that beautiful prayer is back and I feel happy about it.

So here is that poem in English.


Where The Mind is Without Fear!

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake

Light of My Soul

Whenever you feel like lying,like cheating,like killing yourself or others, grab a handful of light from my pocket go to utter darkness watch the devil in you and then keep the light on your table see how darkness evades and realize what I am offering you; these Moments, they are too precious than your glittery metals and stones. Love me for the beautiful life I have offered you, thank me in the Name Of God!  

The Arctic Light from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

Gud Day! :)

Life in a Zombie land

Time at the ticking of our clock between light and dark we run far and high with all of our material possessions. A body like one of those luxurious vehicles polished & packed with latest technologies; mind like a kite at the fingertips of a little boy high in the sky, we hardly have moments with a life of our own. They say change is the only constant part of our life then why don’t we change to something better for the world we know or else don’t. Why do we always have to get back to that same old real life stories of some freaking wanna be bastards and selfish sluts; and they say “this is life you better suit yourself here”.

I wonder how people can draw a fine line between sanity and insanity here when they barely know what is good and bad. Well open your eyes you have raised enough of a hell for your kids, for all of your coming generations and now you are wondering where does this all start? Is it when you dug deep right through the holes of our education system to replace morality with your professionalism, your character with money, your life with a life style and your wisdom with a high profile in the society? What are we become like?

 I do realize that I am part of a generation where the majority thinks that porn, drugs, money and sex can enlighten their spirits; that makes you a winner here, you play dirty they are here to praise you. None of these stories goes unheard here, all it takes is someone brave enough to watch you, and then it will reach them, your children, your grand children and if you are hoping them to be deaf and blind just like you, you must know there are people different from you. You can’t change the rules; you better play your little part and warn them for a worst hell than what you have prepared for them. I thought I can bleed to death in silence but when I see you in your workshop like a devil unleashed and I know your kind is here to multiply then I can’t just die...

Have a gud day !

Gospels over the Clouds

Fell in love with these clouds all over again; what if its grey or white,
They carry the same stories of laughter and tears
But its dignity this time in shapes and textures,
And brand new Gospels from angels who are fallen!

They then pour it down with such a deafening roar;
It sounds almost like breaking a dawn in hell, 
Drenching me with all of the sins and illusions
They embrace me for I am taken!

Where should I exile with whole of my body covered-
In thick red blood; it’s clogged and dirty now
And I presume, they were a bunch of Murderers
Loved and raised to be merciless; but I am asked to be quiet-
While wearing these bruises; as a mark of their wisdom.

Clouds, these loyal watchers they glide gently, always vigilant-
Sometimes dropping a shadow over you, over me,
And then tearing her bosom light comes screeching-
Seeking the ones to be found; the messengers of Gospels.

For you are here to preach a cavalry of infidels; 
Its thousands of similar stories, of rage, of deception, of lust,
Of fear, of greed, of everything but human –
What you can’t breathe, can’t swallow, and can’t be understood at times.

Love Locks!

 I have seen beautiful photographs of these locks earlier but did not know of the place and this  bridge. These locks are unbelievably beautiful and definitely worth a few clicks!

You can check the original post here.....

http://bradbellphoto.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/5-days-in-paris-love-locks/

Have a Nice Day!

Faces

Some of these faces, those characters; they seem to be haunting at times...

Shadows in The Dark - 2

She was a girl who loved the dance of light on every leaf, every petal and every little drop of water. But this time, this time moving shadows fascinated her. Every nightfall brought at her doorsteps wind from farthest east and then she was ready for a walk. Sometimes she could progress reading the patterns over the sky whereas sometimes the wind helped her to reach him because they had never met in the same place. All she knew was that he did not want her to remember the places they have met, but he never missed on their regular meetings.

Those nights had been longer enough she remembers; a few steps alone then sweeping away her boredom he would appear from void. There were no conspiracies in the air even the clouds did not want to spy on them always leaving a clear sky above. What of those moments she did not know; like the fragrance of night flowers and life then was more like a realization of her dreams, all those vague dreams.

She was sure he is not someone who lived over the clouds; his face seldom revealed to her in the night; even now it is not possible for her to give a perfect portrayal of him. She could not believe that a stranger who wandered in the dark caught so much of her attention. She once famous for her notorious silence eventually escaped her perfect sphere of comfort leaving no mark of her abode….

Shadows in The Dark

She was not even sure if it was right side of the road she was walking. She said it was a long and lonely walk in the dark in a completely new direction; perhaps she was straying in perfect chaos. What drew her to that darkest corner is still a mystery to her because her natural instinct would always stop her from acquiring that much of courage to move in the dark. Although she knew, that have been preserved in the dark is completely deprived of light, she still expected a human. But what appeared before her was an unusual being nothing like what she had ever encountered in her life.

She could hear it all; vague whispers in the air but was swiftly carried away by the wind. Theft was a regular custom out there in the dark but did not seem to be his business. There was no urgency not even a small effort to escape, she felt wholly   in place wanting to have a conversation. As he walked towards her she felt like living one of her stupid dreams; may be taming a wild boar or a wolf. What concealed behind those hazy eyes incited her to talk. She felt those eyes had much more than what the heavens have to say; much beyond her imaginations of an underworld. When he asked her, what brought her to such a dark place, she told him that she had always loved the queer silence in the dark and had seen none ever before.

She did not know if it convinced him for an extended conversation but it seemed to her that he was calm. A few steps together were enough to measure the gravity, strong enough to tread further in the dark. But even in that darkness she could see stains of blood on him what she felt like ignoring for better days of light…..

(I am lazy sometimes…. :))