Moda Saiyya Mosey Boley Na

That got your attention:). Didn't it?

My childhood friend Misti's  writing in this edition got my attention! And as I was going through Misti's intense write up I thought its about time we gently ponder over why most people don't write? Are most people scared of intense feelings? or are they scared of the grammer of a language? or are they just scared to address emotions as the treasure house for good literature? With Misti's write up in my hand I thought if this is possible in an alumni magazine then we must ask for more!

Moda Saiyya Mosey Boley Na...

Grab the attention with your first two lines! Simple lines are always better!

Quite like acting! Quite like the MUKHRA of a song! If you study the popular Bollywood songs you'll discover they are just this! Great MUKHRA! Great first few lines! If the lyricist manages to strike gold with the ANTARA (the mid paras) also then woopsy one has a classic!

So I was wondering if some of you who want to write but shy away from writing will write more!:). Begin with what matters the most to you! For instance this song! Listen to it carefully!

Now whats this song all about? What catches your ear is the authenticity of the feeling expressed. 'Mora Saiyyan Mosey Boley na!'. MY beloved doesn't speak to me. A song of loneliness, longing and love. A heart wrenching feeling that has been experienced by most human beings at some point of time or the other.

Look at this other song.

Aapki Yaad aati Rahi raat bhar!Chandni dil dukhati rahee raat bhar!

Now most of the human population has either loved and longed or hoped to love and long. The  all night wait of a lover for  his/her beloved. A night that feels like Marqez's hundred years of solitude. Many of us have experienced those purple nights. But how many of us are honest enough to say we are terribly lonely? or miss our lover? partner? wife? husband? miserably, ceaselessly, hopelessly? When we write the very obvious honestly, transparently, passionately, tenderly, humanly we have a piece of writing that will be valued.

One of my favourite songs is Leonard Cohen's Anthem- Ring the bell that still can ring, Forget the perfect offering, there is a crack in everything....thats how the light gets in!

Isn't that lovely? I will always envy Cohen!! I wish I could write something like that!

Many of us  have often felt  that this world is a dreary, drab and boring place. And then again sometimes found it a lil too adventurous! Most of us  hate wars, riots, discrimination, fundamentalism! You might have wondered whether any protest is really worth the cause! I have! And that it is better to just chill out! Stay away from all troubles! But then Cohen's lines RING THE BELL THAT STILL CAN RING...

And we all know you can't write those lines suddenly one day! Yes the inspiration will come like that! One fine day! Out of the Blue! But years of  living the real life, expressing, feeling, thinking, letting go of one self, writing, practice, language training, faux pas, holding hands will lead us to that day of magic!!

As I read Misti's write up on her daughter...I could only say WOW! How much courage and love it must have taken her to write that piece! Saying Au Revoir to one's daughter...

So lets write! We were trained to express! We were encouraged to use our emotional vocabulary along with the rational one!!! So lets grow and express in all possible ways! Pick up! Pick up that pen!! Or better still...hit those keysss...and Forget the perfect offering...there is a crack in everything...and thats how the light gets in! Let the light shine on your keyboards and pen...let the light come in...

Rukmini Sen

Meri Beti Meri Duty- Archana Dutta

Hi there! I am here to share an experience.

This is the first time I am writing a piece for my old school mates. You ofcourse understand this is important to me. Something I think is significant for all of us.

I  participated in a ramp walk - An initiative by Times of India and MSD at DLF Emporio mall, Vasant kunj delhi. This was on the 30th June 2012. The idea behind the ramp was to promote the vaccination for cervical cancer. The tag line for the same was Meri beti Meri duty. All the participants where asked to make a placard writing something about the importance of this vaccination.The green ribbon was used as a symbol of support. The fashion show that was organised to create awareness had its theme as green as well-

I write this for my daughters and sons around the world. Please know a few things about the cervical cancer-

Every 7 Minutes one Indian woman dies of CERVICAL CANCER.
Cervical cancer is most prevalent cancer amongst indian women. However, very few are aware of it.
Cervical cancer is mostly misunderstood to be back or spine related. However, one's spine is fine here.
Cervical cancer is the cancer of the cervix ie the opening of the utreus. When the cells on the cervix begin to grow abnormally and sometimes if they are not treated, they can become cancerous.
Cervical cancer is caused by Human Papiloma Virus or the HPV virus. As your little daughter turns into a teenager she might be at the risk of HPV infection. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease.
HPV stays in the body for a long time and if not cleared may develop into cervical cancer in prime of a woman's life. Cervical cancer usually has no symptoms in its early stages and hence prevention and early detection against cervical cancer is very essential.

In a country like ours where women's health is neglected this vaccination introduced by MSD can prove to be a boon to our health. So mothers spread awareness!

By- Archana Dutta.

 

Meeting Rajesh Khanna- Rahul Seth

Be aware of the big difference between inspired action and activity. Activity comes from the brain-mind and is rooted in disbelief and lack of faith - you are taking action to "make" your desire happen. Inspired action is allowing the law to work through you and to move you.
Activity feels hard. Inspired action feels wonderful... Liberating"


This is a maxim that I've truly believed in, and it forms the basic crux of my endeavors at all times.

Right from my school days in SDA, where i did my Std. 9th & 10th from, mostly all I did could be termed as "inspired action" without an iota of any pre-meditated thought process or agenda to it.
I guess I just "went with the flow..." be it my involvement with dramatics, singing, writing, academics, and yes... even my crushes and romances.

Well, a lot of water has flown under the bridge since then, but one thing that always remained constant was my sudden bursts of "Inspired Action", which led me to charter a course that eventually merged my Passion with my Profession, and here I am.....  An accomplished Music Director, Lyricist, Singer & Voice Artist in Bollywood, with films like Yamla Pagla Deewana, Vaada Raha, Heroes, Khel, Alag, Hum Aake Dil mein Rehte Hain... & more , and almost 3000 Ad Jingles to my credit.


Trust me, my "Inspired Actions" have often led me to discover and experience moments to be cherished for a lifetime.


One such moment was  when I spent almost two hours with the Late Superstar Rajesh Khanna, or Kakaji ( as he was best known ) at his Bungalow Aashirwaad, almost a month & a half prior to his sad demise.


It so happened that a well known Film Director, whose next film's Music & Lyrics I am working on, had to meet Kakaji regarding a small cameo in his film. He happened to ask me to come along, an offer I readily accepted on impulse.


On the appointed day, we were taken to his office by his personal manager Sajjad.
An office lined with all the major awards & felicitations of his illustrious career.
I also vividly remembered it being the same office I had seen in the BBC Documentary titled "Bombay Superstar" shot in early seventies... which was broadcast as part the 'Man Alive' series on BBC 2 in 1973. Later repeated in 1982 & as part of the 'Festival of India' that took place that summer in the UK..


This was the same office where British interviewer Jack Pizzey waited along with his team mates for an audience with THE RAJESH KHANNA.


The very recollection of that scene brought goose bumps.


Our wait was shortlived, as Sajjaad took us inside the sprawling living room of Rajesh Khanna, a premises where only privileged few could set foot in.


As we entered, there he was, Kakaji... standing next to an ornate couch, wearing crisp kurta pyjama and a waist coat.


He welcomed us warmly and motioned us to sit down.


I just couldn't believe my eyes. The image of a wiry thin Kakaji in front of me brought in mixed feelings of Awe & utter Shock.


But the glint and twinkle in his eyes was still the same, and when he spoke, he still had the same authority and charisma.


I got formally introduced to him as the Music Director, Singer & Lyricist of the current film, and his encouragement was heartfelt.


Soon, we began exchanging various talks regarding his health, his Ad Film Shoot for Havells Fans, and then we reminisced about his Hit Films and the Stupendous music.


Taking that as a cue, I once again sprang into "Inspired Action"


I asked Kakaji if he would like to hear me sing one of my favorite songs from his films.


Kakaji was visibly so excited by the idea, he immediately asked me to go ahead.


Then the enormity of the situation struck me, that I was about to pay a Live Tribute to the living Legend, Rajesh Khanna, sitting right in front of me, by singing his own song for him.


I looked into his gleaming eyes transfixed upon me, waiting for me to begin..... and begin i did.


I broke into the song "Jeevan Se bhari Teri Aankhein..." from his Hit film Safar... and the huge living room made my voice echo, giving my sonorous
rendition a natural reverb.

Simultaneously, I watched Kakaji thoroughly enjoying my song, gesturing animatedly with his hands, to the rise and fall of the notes and my tonal transitions.


Once i was through, Kakaji genuinely praised my singing, saying that i had such a wonderful voice, i should do more of playback singing, along with music direction.


Believe me, this, coming from him, was nothing short of a Grand Felicitation for me. Just writing about it fills me with such an immense sense of achievement and gratitude. 


Then, we talked some more... and inevitably, it was time for us to leave. In fact we even scheduled to meet again soon... ( Which sadly never happened )


I touched Kakaji's feet & took his blessings, paused for a second, wondering if i should get a snap clicked with him.


He noticed my hesitation and asked me what the matter was.


Something within stopped me from going ahead with the request for a snap. Maybe it was the hope of meeting him again.


As I left with the Director... I threw a last glance behind me... and saw Kakaji standing all alone in the huge hall ... watching us leave.

Never once had the thought struck me ..... That this was a Final Good Bye to "The Moghul Of Mohabbat" .... Rajesh Kahnna.

By- Rahul Seth.
Rahul is the music director of Yamla Pagla Deewana amongst many other Bollywood numbers/movies. He DID NOT compose Tinku Jiya. Rahul also sings, writes and sings more! Rahul lives in Mumbai with is wife Anu and daughter Kiara. I remember him for his gift of the gab. He narrated this meeting with Rajesh Khanna to me over a cup of coffee in a buzzing cafe at Andheri West. So I told him here was a subject he could write on for the OSA magazine...for fellow SDA friends. We plan to make him write on such incidents more often from now on.