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.
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.
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