Bahadur Shah 'Zafar'

"Na kisi ki aankh ka noor hoon, na kisi ke dil ka qaraar hoon

Jo kisi ke kaam na aa sake main wo ek musht-e-Gubaar hoon

Na to main kisi ka habib hoon, no to main kisi ka raqeeb hoon

Jo bigad gaya wo naseeb hoon, jo ujaad gaya wo dayaar hoon

Mera rang-roop bigad gaya, mera yaar mujh se bichhad gaya

Jo chaman fizaan mein ujad gaya main usi ki fasl-e-bahaar hoon

Paye faatehaa koi aaye kyun, koi chaar phool chadhaaye kyun

Koi aake shammaa jalaye kyun, main wo bekasi ka mazaar hoon"

- Bahadur Shah 'Zafar'

(Last Mughal King of India)

Meanings:
Noor : Bright, Light, Luminescence, Luster
Qaraar : Ease, Patience, Quietude, Repose, Residence
Gubaar : Dust
Habib : Beloved, Sweetheart, Comrade, Friend
Raqeeb : Rival, Competitor, Opponent, Enemy
Dayaar : Place, Residence
Bekasi : Despair, Helplessness
Mazaar : Mausoleum, Shrine, Tomb, Grave

lagta nahin hai dil mera ujray dayar main
kis kee banee hai aalam-e-na paedaar main

umr-e-daraaz maang ker laye the chaar din
do arzoo main kat gaye, do intezar main

in hasraton se keh do, kahin or ja basain
itni jaga kahan hai dil-e-daaghdar main

kitna hai badnaseeb zafar dafn ke liye
do gaz zameen bhi na mili koo-e-yaar main

- Bahadur Shah 'Zafar'
(Last Mughal King of India)

Meanings:

Aalam-e-na paedaar : Mortal Universe

Umr-e-daraaz : Longlife

Hasarat : Desire, Intense Sorrow, Longing, Regret, Wish, Yearning

Dafn : Burial, Concealment

Koo-e-yaar : Lover's street

to know more about Bahadur Shah 'Zafar' click the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahadur_Shah_II

My Perspective on 'Culture'.

One fine day during my engineering at Osmania University, I had this argument with one of my friends. Even though, it all started as mere discussion, but one thing led to another and ended up in a heated argument, resulting in no conclusion. The main topic of the argument was comparison of cultures. We took sides on different cultures. I was all supporting the American culture, in other words, Western culture, and was pointing at the imperfections of culture of India. On the other side, my friend was giving his shoulder to the culture of India.

Whenever I think about that incident, which happened seven years ago, brings a smirk on my face. I have been living in US for, almost, five years now. I feel I have learned so many things, which I did not even think existed here. I can say, I cultured enough about the Western culture. I feel I was being an amateur while discussing (probably in arguing) the differences in culture. At that point, I feel, I was not ready to accept the defeat. May be I was not ready look myself into mirror and realize the dark side of my face. So the preparation itself was an appalling one. I think the very first step to maturity is accepting the one’s own flaws, deficiencies or defects, if it’s proved correctly. The very motif of a discussion should be exchanging the ideas, understating the different opinions and analyzing the different views or observations. The discussion should always be a constructive one, if not, it should not be a destructive or an unhelpful/ or an unpleasant argument. There won’t be any positive outcomes in discussing with the people who are prepared not to acknowledge the positive intent in others. I feel I was very much like the person I explained here. I was not ready to accept my flaws; I was not ready to let my friend share his views. I was adamant, unbending, inflexible and stubborn, or headstrong.

After all these years, I feel I am wise enough to express my view or comment my feeling on that very topic. I feel culture is an individual thing. A culture develops over a period of time. A culture develops based on different conditions, may be geographical, it all depends the living conditions and resources available. In my view, comparing any two cultures would be an imbecilic act. No culture is ideal. Every culture has merits and demerits in its own way. After a certain point one should realize that no culture is better than any other. It is an absolute waste of time in praising one culture and pointing fingers at other. Most of my opinions I put forth during my argument with my friend, were taken from a movie/medium or heard from others. The media has always misguided the people in showing the other culture in accordance to their advantage. Hence, these differences. These differences can be altered. It is the people, who have to work truthfully, candidly to make a good culture, a better one. And an astute person is the one who learns the subtle difference between a culturist and a jingoist.

Culture is nothing but the way you live, they way you represent yourself, the way you receive others, they way you respect others, they way you show your feel for others. In other words, you are the 'culture'.

Ardh Satya

This is the poem from the movie Ardh Satya. Every time I read this, I get this feeling of indecision in understanding this in detail. This particular poem by Dilip Chitre is read by Om Puri in a scene where he picks up a book of Smita Patil’s and reads one poem out to her.
The poem explains the three different situations of a person. He compared the system/society with CHAKRVYUH, the complex maze in Mahabharata. The three phases of a person, before entering the system, during the time in system and after exiting from system. The same person was brave at one point and same person was an impotent at another point. It reflects a phase of person going through with uncertainity own identity. He feels strong at one point and coward at another. Even though his inner voice always provokes him to stand against to the evil of the society, he could not quite do that as his hands tied down by the big guns of society. In a way, an individual will be affected by system, not other way.

"Chakravyuh mein ghusne se pehle,

kaun tha mein aur kaisa tha,

yeh mujhe yaad hi na rahega.

Chakravyuh mein ghusne ke baad,

mere aur chakravyuh ke beech,

sirf ek jaanleva nikat’ta thi,

iska mujhe pata hi na chalega.

Chakravyuh se nikalne ke baad,

main mukt ho jaoon bhale hi,

phir bhi chakravyuh ki rachna mein

farq hi na padega.

Marun ya maarun,

maara jaoon ya jaan se maardun.

iska faisla kabhi na ho paayega.

Soya hua aadmi jab

neend se uthkar chalna shuru karta hai,

tab sapnon ka sansar use,

dobara dikh hi na paayega.

Us roshni mein jo nirnay ki roshni hai

sab kuchh s’maan hoga kya?

Ek palde mein napunsakta,

ek palde mein paurush,

aur theek taraazu ke kaante par

ardh satya."

When I was searching few details regarding this poem, I came across this translation. Someone translated this poem into English, with simple and effortless words without losing the essence of the poem or the intenstions of the poet, thanks to that 'individual'.

"Before I walked in, who was I ?

Now that I’m in, does it matter ?

When I exit, what then ?

Can’t a mercenary be a victim ?

Can a sleepwalker walk into his dreams ?

Won’t the lights of justice blind him ?

Between impotence and courage, how do the scales tip ?"

Gone with the Wind

Alright, there ends the short stint of team India at the world cup 2007, fading billions of hopes away, sinking the ship of glory right in the backyard swimming pool. One off day at the beginning brought them on kneeling down. In other words, the cornered tigers hid themselves in the hole of shame and disgrace, the hole where, team India buried alive themselves along with the hopes of billions.

Usually everybody learns a lesson from each failure. But in this case, I guess, they are better off learning the lessons, over and over. Even though, it was a cakewalk to get through the first round, Team India chose a hideous, sickening, and ugly way to continue their unlimited/unending affair with the 'defeat'. The only team, which has more experienced players than the Australia Team, which has leading run scorer in ODI, which has the strongest batting lineup, on paper showed the inexpereince in standing against the tide, the tide which sunk them to all time low, into a pit with no end. Now it’s all gone in vain. The defeat was humiliating, embarrassing and degrading. The participation in this world cup supposed to be an expedition of victories, but unfortunately turned out to be an errand of success and an unbearable agony of defeat. This defeat is an unanticipated outcome in this world cup, which could prove an ominous loss to the sponsors of the world cup. I believe, they always wanted India getting into super 8’s. I guess, biggest question would be the fate of Greg Chappell, whether he has to die or would someone else kill him?

As they say, it is not end of the world. After all, it’s a game. At the end of the day, somebody has to win. It’s the very moment, where we need to show our maturity towards the understanding of cricket, or sports. That’s all I have to console an Indian, I mean, myself.

Song to Remember, forever.

This is one of the best songs of my collection. Whenever I listen to this, makes me drive into my past. It’s kind of sweet pain situation. The composition by ARR is one of the best till now. It sounds even better, on the screen, with the timing and situation. They conveyed their victory inspite of their death.

I am posting the lyrics of the song along with meanings of few words.

aye saala

abhi abhi huaa yaqeen

ki aag hai mujh mein kahi

hui subaah main chal gaya
suraj ko main nigal gaya

ruu-ba-ruu roshni heyy
ruu-ba-ruu roshni heyy

jo gumshuda-sa khwaab tha
voh mil gaya
voh khil gaya
woh loha thaa pighal gaya
kichhaa kichhaa machal gaya
sitaar mein badal gaya

ruu-ba-ruu roshni heyy
ruu-ba-ruu roshni heyy

dhuaan chhataa khula gagan mera
nayi dagar naya safar mera
jo ban sake tu hamsafar mera
nazar mila zara

dhuaan chhataa khula gagan mera
nayi dagar naya safar mera
jo ban sake tu hamsafar mera
nazar mila zara

aandhiyon se jaghad rahi hai lau meri
ab mashaalon si bhad rahi hai lau meri

naamo nishaan rahe na rahe
ye kaaravaan rahe na rahe
ujaale mein pee gaya
roshan huaa jee gaya
kyon sehte rahe

ruu-ba-ruu roshni heyy
ruu-ba-ruu roshni heyy

dhuaan chhataa khula gagan mera
nayi dagar naya safar mera
jo ban sake tu hamsafar mera
nazar mila zara

ruu-ba-ruu roshni heyy
ruu-ba-ruu roshni heyy

aye saala
aye saala
aye saala

Menaings:

Nighal : Swallow

Lau : Ardent Desire, Attachment, Candle Flame, Expectation

Kaaravaan : Caravan

Dagar : Path

Pretty Ugly

19th March, 2007 is a historical day in the world of cricket. Pakistan was strangled by Irish and Bangladesh stunned India with the impromptu display of modern cricket. It was a slap on face for all those analysts of cricket, who were writing off the inclusion of minnows in the world cup.

We got up early on Sat hoping to watch team India’s batsmen thrashing the ball black and blue all over the park, as soon as we heard the news of winning the toss by Rahul Dravid. But, to our surprise, the plan was working for Bangladesh. The team India batting lineup, which is the strongest, on paper, fell apart facing the disciplined bowling attack of Bangladesh. Eventually, India reached to a defensible score, thanks to Sourav Ganguly and Yuvi and some late fireworks from tail-enders. Even though, it looked impregnable, team India never showed the commitment and the inquisitiveness to start off the tournament with a victory. All that time, on the field, Indian players were looked gloomy and embarrassed and wanted to get back to hut as soon as possible, otherwise which could have been an easy fruit to pluck and pouch it in. on the otherside, Bangladesh played a disciplined and controlled cricket, making sure they stay away from complacency.

On the otherhand, it was pretty much disappointing day in the history of Pakistan cricket. The repercussions back home will be loud and strong and could be lethal. They struggled right from the beginning of the innings. Their batsmen never got settled in the crease. The top order succumbed to the swing and movement of the ball in the early overs. Even though, they showed some fight in defending the score, as expected, they could not quite pull off the thriller, which could have been a miraculous day. This could be the last match of Inzy, who is considered to be one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Irish showed the character and the struggle for existence. The two Minnow teams (can we say that now) played out of their skins. They played like slaves, who had nothing to lose, except the shackles that tied them with the tag minnow, if they could hit the target.

For team Pakistan, it is a moment of frustration, disenchantment, upset, aggravation and annoyance and etc. For team India, chances of getting into super 8’s are tough but not impossible. They have to show real character and courage in their next two games.

On the whole minnows outplayed juggernauts in every department, ball, bat,field and mind, body and soul. The big question is, can tea Pakistan withstand to the consequences that will be developed back home? Can India bounce back and keep billions of hopes alive? Only time will heel the wounds, hopefully.

UNKNOWN

I have been getting UNKNOWN calls from India since my return to US from my recent trip to India. I have become so paranoid of these calls that whenever I get this kind of call, I call back home to my mom or Dad to make sure that things are fine. Even though, I know that, my parents won’t call me at odd hours of the day or night and if they have something to convey, they don’t hesitate to spend few bucks on my call.

How the hell all this started off? I guess, one way or another, I am responsible for this situation. In the beginning, I asked my relatives/friends to give a missed call, if they have anything important to convey, and then wait for me to call them back. This process works fine as long as I get to see the number they are calling from. This whole process turns into nightmare, if I get unlucky and get the display of UNKNOWN. I am not really sure, why the cell phone displays UNKNOWN, even when they are not using any special card to ring me up. When I see this UNKNOWN, I really can’t do anything, but to call my parents and ask about their whereabouts. Sometimes, they keep ringing me up still they come to some conclusion. That conclusion can be in favor of me or against me. They can consider me as busy at work or tired and sleeping home. They can also consider as it’s my ignorance towards their call.

Sometimes, I tried explaining this trouble, and asked them to leave a message, if couldn’t able to ring them back in five minutes. But, I don’t know why, they never leave a voice message. I always explained how easy it is to leave a voice message, I believe, it’s a piece of cake. I guess, it is the system where we grow up that makes the difference. In India, no one has this facility of voice message for missed calls. They don’t have that habit of leaving a message, if a person is not available to answer the call.

After all these, I really hope that they understand the trouble I am going through with their calls. They should also keep in mind the time differences prevailing at that situation. Even when I am typing all this, my cell phone was ringing and the display was UNKNOWN.

CWC-2007

Alright, it’s almost time to begin the battle for pride. The moment every cricketing nation has been waiting for four years. The commencement of World Cup Cricket, an esteemed position for every cricket playing/participating nation, is just round the corner. A fete of cricket comes onto the stage to entertain the cricket lovers all over the world. Get ready for some runs on board, some wickets back in hut, some sledging and a bit of bantering; let’s see some spirit in defeats and jubilation of victory.

Even though, it appears to be an open world cup of all time, I still believe, OZs have a fair edge over any other team. They have experience combined with energy, and electric in field and on pitch, in both ways. They have this knack winning the finals. Even though, they look a little down with white wash in the hands of Kiwis, they can never be ruled out of competition. Their level of expertise will be tested, I believe, while playing against India or South Africa or, for that matter, with Sri Lanka. Apart from winning and losing, there are many other things to watch out for.

There are few key players; I have been anticipating seeing them play. I would like to see atleast one aggressive innings from these players, KP, Dhoni, Hussey, Afridi, and Kemp, thrashing the ball all around the park. Of all the players mentioned above, Hussey can be considered as most versatile cricketer ever. His ability of changing the gears at required is stupendous. He can knock the ball around, if he wants, or he can thump the ball around the park.

One team, that’s missing its key players, is Pakistan. They, in fact all cricket lovers, will miss the explosive, mind gobbling hitting and all round services of Abdul Razzaq, one of the best entertainers of modern cricket on his day. They will also be missing the services of fire filled bowler, Shoaib Akthar and their new found swing bowler, Mohammed Asif, a McGrath of Pakistan.

Of all the above, millions of cricket lovers would be hoping to see Sachin Tendulkar leading India from front in bringing the world cup home.

Alright, let the battles begin…

సంధ్యా సమస్యలు - శ్రీశ్రీ