Ghazal Concert at Lulu International Convention Centre

My first one in India. I think I did a pretty ok job...was completely nervous as usual . There are so many times when I feel like cursing myself for not singing good. And here too .. there were some songs I did feel I could have done better.I was accompanied by Ranjith on the harmonium, Bijesh on the Flute(awesome) and Sunil on the tabla. Bijesh is also a well known ghazal singer in Trissur and sang a couple of songs though he was majoring on the flute.All together a good one :) and thanks to the Almighty for everything.Will soon upload the audios and the videos.



P.S. For more photos go to Snapshots

I am not boasting now , but my life in Oman was just way too perfect apart from the fact that it was monotonous.I had no problems with strikes or the pollution or the absence of streetlights or power cuts or even the dealing of public garbage.Traffic is controllable cos of the traffic signals.I have probably experienced a power cut twice in my life, once when there was some work going on near my place and second when cyclone Gonu had affected the whole of the Sultanate.A year back when I was moving out of Oman for pursuing my degree, a lot of people had warned me about the frequent strikes that take place in Kerala. I was initially happy about the whole idea of no classes and all due to this , but later on began to realise it's drawbacks.Absence of class led to incomplete portion which again led to inclusion of the whole portion for the models. And I really know how hard it is to learn 20 chapters of which only 8 were taught.

I have always been proud of being a Keralite despite all the mocking people do about the locals accent, English in particular. Kerala would be the only state which has got beauty with brains. If India had a beauty pageant between states it is indubitable that Kerala will win. And musically , if I wouldn't be a Keralite I wouldn't be able to handle all the languages with ease. And c'mon there has not even been one non-Keralite who has been able to pronounce malayalam with the right accent.

Strikes have been an 'in' thing in Kerala. And what is worse are the reasons they hold a strike for. It's absolutely hilarious to see the party members hold a fast for getting their thing done. And not to forget the fast goes on till they don't get their will granted i.e. in other words the fast remains forever, though it is actually broken on the very first few hours of the fast.All of them sit together in peace, many of the ladies discussing about the sarees they have adorned and many of the men discussing about what to have for tea. If strikes are going to remain for a few more generations then probably we must make that a tourist attraction spot. India, or atleast Kerala would mint money that way.It's is completely disheartening to see young students taking action politically. They way students get beaten up is definately a sight not to be witnessed. Every time I hear or witness such incidents I keep wondering what must be going through their parents.


As of now preparing for a ghazal concert on the 24th at the Lulu International Convention Centre, Trissur.It will actually be a mix of filmy ghazals and will also include few bhajans.All are invited.It's an one and a half hour's show commencing at 10a.m. I will upload the audios and videos that I will get of the concert.

Jodha Akbar is one good epic I got to watch. It's not dragging , to the point and for all those who said that very less was shown on Akbar's fight sequences and ruling, it's actually a romantic movie which speaks more about the love of Jodha and Akbar which went unnoticed. And the previews never said that the movie had something to do with his ruling and achievements though a lil of that too was shown. Excellent cameras, awesome costumes.. and the best part of all - it's music. Once again kudos to Rahmanji for making yet another memorable record.Well about acting skills.. Hrithik an Ash have done a fair job.

I was just so sure about something crazy happening on the Valentines.I have seen people desperate for fame , but not as desperate as Rakhi Sawant and Abhishek! She slapped him or whatever and he apparently thanked the Headlines Today for patching them back!! And the news channels are even more jobless to telecast it all on television. How low can they fall ? And ofcourse not it isn't a matter of sour grapes but of 'lathon ke bhoot baaton se nahi mante'..or in Javed Jafferey's words - The ghost of the kicks don't listen to the talks :) Ciao

Small things I care about !

A lot of people seldom notice things which I am gonna write about today.As a singer I do check up on all the music credits given of each movie.Songs like Ajeem-O-shaan-shehenshan are chorus pieces.And I am not exaggerating but I did bother reading each name of the singer who is a part of that song. And every song.. wishing that someday , someone would bother reading my name in that lil nestle of the music credits, that too that one of an A.R.Rahman movie :)Aaah..big dreams, big hopes, all's in the hands of the Almighty. I am just a puppet.

There are so many people whose influence might be small but the outputs are something we may have to be thankful to them forever. Even a small electrician who comes to fix a powercut is so helpful that all the ladies who spend all their evenings crying over tele serials should thank him for 'making' their day. Like they say Small things matter the most. Even while watching a movie.. you will perhaps notice the importance of a spot boy when your not able to have a precise view of your favourite hero or a stunt scene.Even a house helper who is responsible for the cleanliness at your place needs to be thanked for making you more immune.We hesitate to clean our own home cos we find that job unfit for our status or perhaps *dirty* That's one thing we Indians have to learn from the West. There is a loooong list to thank..beginning from public sanitation cleaners to the salesperson at your doorstep who commences with his/her evergreen smile to your service 24/7.From the sweeper who sweeps of all the trash you throw recklessly at your workplace to your mom for a cup of coffee.To every RJ for playing my favourite songs and to every counter person who bothers to pack my groceries for me after a tiring day. Thanks to everyone who has made a small but evident difference in my life.Your service will always be etched in my heart forever. And someday returned.

P.S. Happy Valentines Day to everyone whose single and ready to mingle :)

Voice of humanity

It is being very hard to survive is this world without fear. However optimistic we are at heart, our self esteem is deteriorating due do lack of humanity. What man has made of man ! I am being forced to repeat a lot of revealed truths yet again for the sake of a lot of people who have not yet responded to the voice of humanity. Touching the feet of elders ,giving a share of your first earning to your elders ,informing your elders when you have migrated to a new place to ensure safe landing...where have all that culture gone? People have forgotten to say an 'excuse me' , a 'sorry' , leave alone a thank you.Infact in the mornings when I walk up to college with full of positive thoughts...I , most of the times, hear a lot from the watchman who speaks with peevish displeasure for not walking properly or for not getting the ID card. These are just mannerisms. The Kidney kingpin , Dr. Arun Kumar, it is shame to have such Indian professionals as a part of our country. The whole racket has been flashing in every news channel and newspaper and has provoked every mind to start pondering about where we are heading.There was another article about a few children who went browsing over the net for finding out ways to cut off oxygen supply so as in to get "high".Ofcourse one kid did die while trying out this which has appallingly destroyed his family and friends and those who are still worried about humanity. For many of you, the word humanity would sound alien and for many of you ..a very far off thing. People still manage to throw wrappers and other wastes in the open without any guilt.I don't see any stalwarts in the making . Nor in the present , nor in the future. Not unless we don't change our attitude. Shashi Tharoor had once spoken about an incident that took place when he was studying in Delhi.His mother had asked her 'sweeper woman' to wash the steps of the building they stayed in. The lady would have obviously benefitted by receiving an extra pay for the job offered. But instead she shot back saying ' why should I madam? The building doesn't belong to you .'

Another problem is that the citizens of India have always behaved with a mindset of being a statesperson. A Bihari, a Keralite ,a Tamilian , a Maharashtrian ,an Assamese ,etc. They don't want to represent India or rather they are just comfortable representing their own state. I've never seen that co-operation , that spirit when each Indian proudly says 'Mera Bharat Mahan' on August 15th anywhere else. Yet there exists a competition among states on who has invested more on the celebrations.Even in reality shows , participants represent their states and in the final stages , it's more like which state can vote more. Even when the participants beg for votes, they particularly name the state they represent so as in to gain an extra vote! Has anyone in the history of reality show claimed to represent India ? The only time I've seen such a thing happening is when they win the competition and ofcourse are 'forced' to walk around saying 'I am the best' and 'Thanks to India for voting me'.We had a finalist who apparently started begging for votes outside a 'thattukada' saying that it's ONLY the votes than can make her win.Hope the viewers don't misjudge the true talent. Like Tagore has always said - Humanity is just like the sun, it can only be clouded , never extinguished. I am signing off with hopes of waking up to a beautiful morning which should be showing me that lil ray of hope to see India emerge as the one and only.

Help required!

Having bought a new laptop (HP Pavilion) I am totally confused about what connection I should choose for accesing net.At present I am using Hutch.But the GPRS rates of Hutch are pretty expensive as they charge for browsing and downloading.Nor is the speed that great.I even checked up with Broadband connections.That apparently will take some time to get connected in my area.So I am left with only two options : Airtel or BSNL.Again, I did hear rumors about the former charging for downloads and the latter charging for browsing.I am in a total fix. So please suggest me on what kind of connection is to be chosen. I'll be requiring it mainly for downloads and uploads.I will also be requiring it when on roaming .Please advice. The rates should be reasonable and should also compliment good speed.If there are alternate options , please recommend.

Identify the true stars

The recent declaration of the awards have created a lot of hype about not giving a Bharat Ratna to any 'deserving' person. I am not clear about what are the qualities required to receive that one. And I still feel there are a lot of people who haven't been ackowledged as yet. And c'mon awards are not everything.Infact people who don't receive an award still inspire us and have made history. I'll keep this post succinct and let the carigature do the talking.

Keshav:Persons without a Bharat Ratna or a Nobel still inspire us.

Source: The Hindu Times