Creation Hymn from the RIG VEDA

CREATION HYMN from the RIG VEDA
Translation by V. V. Raman, University of Rochester

Not even nothing existed then
No air yet, nor a heaven.
Who encased and kept it where?
Was water in the darkness there?
Neither deathlessness nor decay
No, nor the rhythm of night and day:
The self-existent, with breath sans air:
That, and that alone was there.
Darkness was in darkness found
Like light-less water all around.
One emerged, with nothing on
It was from heat that this was born.
Into it, Desire, its way did find:
The primordial seed born of mind.
Sages know deep in the heart:
What exists is kin to what does not.
Across the void the cord was thrown,
The place of every thing was known.
Seed-sowers and powers now came by,
Impulse below and force on high.
Who really knows, and who can swear,
How creation came, when or where!
Even gods came after creation's day,
Who really knows, who can truly say
When and how did creation start?
Did He do it? Or did He not?
Only He, up there, knows, maybe;
Or perhaps, not even He.

Baanwra Man

Baanwra Man from Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi. I really liked that song and got at the Hindi lyrics from a blog of a great guy.

The song is “Baanwra Man” - an amazing composition by Shantanu Moitra. There is a feeling of yearning in the lyrics by Swanand Kirkire. He has himself sung the song as well, and rendition is real soulful. Here are the lyrics:

बाँवरा मन देखने चला एक सपना।
बाँवरा मन देखने चला एक सपना।
बाँवरे से मन की देखो बाँवरी हैं बातें।
बाँवरे से मन की देखो बाँवरी हैं बातें।
बाँवरी सी धड़कने हैं, बाँवरी हैं साँसे।
बाँवरी सी करवटो से, निंदिया तू भागे।
बाँवरे से नयन चाहे,बाँवरे झरोकों से,
बाँवरे नज़ारों को,तकना।
बाँवरा मन देखने चला एक सपना।
बाँवरे से इस जहाँ मे, बाँवरा एक साथ हो।
इस सयानी भीड़ मे, बस हाथों मे तेरा हाथ हो।
बाँवरी सी धुन हो कोई, बाँवरा एक राग हो।
बाँवरे से पैर चाहे,बाँवरे तरानों के,बाँवरे से बोल पे,थिरकना।
बाँवरा मन देखने चला एक सपना।
बाँवरा सा हो अंधेरा, बाँवरी खामोशियाँ।
थरथराती लौ हो मद्धम, बाँवरी मदहोशियाँ।
बाँवरा एक घुंगटा चाहे,हौले-हौले बिन बताए,
बाँवरे से मुखडे से,सरकना।
बाँवरा मन देखने चला एक सपना।

Arrival In Germany

Continuing my journey from last blog post :

I met a person named Ram at Delhi Airport. He works in Kuwait in the petroleum sector. He was an IITB alumnus- 1983 pass out. It was really pleasure to meet him. He told me that he was more interested in music than studies in his younger days. A bit off talk take place and I was informed of a most amazing fact/fiction by him; That his interview of DRDO in 1983 at IIT-B placement was taken by President Kalam who was then Director of DRDO. I was tired and slept in the aeroplane. I have reached Kuwait from Delhi at 9 am( Kuwait timings). Then, we parted without saying goodbye to each other. My next flight was at 9 AM only but it became 1 hour late. Talking about Kuwait airport, I can only say a oasis made in desert from petro-dollars. Its like barren and sandy for miles around but i do not visualize country as a part of Arabian Nights.

Then, I met a German lady [40 years of age]. She was with me from Delhi but we never talked till Kuwait. We talked about India as a common matter of dialogue between two unknown persons. Flying in aeroplane was like dream coming true for me.Watching the marvelous scenario of sky and clouds was like dream . I am not getting proper word till now for describing those moments. Clouds seem to be like a foam spread in the sky. Looking down on the land was like seeing a place through Google earth. I reached Frankfurt after a long journey of 6 hrs. The plane landed at the grand looking Frankfurt Airport. I swear that to make such airport in India will take 20 years minimum.

Suddenly, I felt that I am in Europe. I took my luggage and walked towards Long Distance Railway Station. My train journey begins towards Bayreuth at 3:30 pm Train was late 5 min. I was shocked by alien environment. Just joking; I had taken tickets of ICE, fastest train in Germany. I had to change train for Bayreuth at Nuremberg.

I wanted to write poetry first but words were not coming to me. It was like unspeakable feeling. Then, I write prose on the train. Original Uncut Version is first time revealed here for public.

"This is my first visit to any country abroad India. Germany i.e. The place where i really see what the hard work and honesty means. I am watching the beauty of nature spread all across the country. There is a perfect Harmony between men and nature. I remember a person named Bismarck of Germany. He was called as man of iron and blood. I see the iron and everywhere in the construction, in the buildings almost in infrastructure. Lot have been invested in infrastructure since devastation of his place after world war. I am also moving forward like this train as economics is not my field. I am falling short of words describing the forest and concrete jungles have mingled here in Frankfurt. Mutually bonded by sense of human spirit seems this place. How beautiful a place can be..."

I reached Nuremberg and then to Bayreuth in Bavaria state. Now my journey was nearly finished at 8 pm in the new land (and it was still evening). I was amazed to know the that sun sets at 9 pm in summer season. That was really a new feeling...

Nuovo cinema Paradiso

Nuovo cinema Paradiso(1988)

There's something magical and timeless about the movies. The simple actors transform into stars in a moment.They are like fixed points in a firmament created out of the just imagination; Ageless reminders that despite the fact that our bodies deteriorate during the passage of time, in our minds we are forever young. Images projected across the distance and onto a screen like ghosts from far off memories and whole life seem to summarize and purify into some perfect, elegant essence -- We remember only the beautiful, moving and inspiring while the all other things falls away and is forgotten in the time.

Giuseppe Tornatore's glorification of the movies in CINEMA PARADISO is really a celebration of life and the limitless possibilities for the individual with determination and imagination.Ennio Morricone's unparalleled soundtrack make for exquisite, once-in-a-lifetime film-making. There are really three protagonists in this film; Salvatore, the principle character who's story is told primarily through flashbacks; father figure persona grata, Alfredo, projectionist and Salvatore's mentor; and the theater itself, Cinema Paradiso, that refuge for the weary. A place where dreams, if only for a couple hours, can be found. A place where, laughter, sadness and joy can be shared. Really a Paradise! Salvatore is fatherless and Alfredo childless. The two will form a special bond and remain virtually inseparable until Salvatore is a young man. A bond forged primarily in the projection room of the Cinema Paradiso, and fired by their mutual love for the movies. The years will be marked with tragedy, love won and lost and the realization that perhaps "life isn't like in the movies." When Salvatore finally does leave, making it big as a successful and respected filmmaker, it will take the death of Alfredo to bring him back after an absence of 30 years. A trip back in time that will inflame old wounds, but also provide an opportunity for them to heal, and after the final kiss of CINEMA PARADISO's inspirational last scene, any lover of the movies will find it almost impossible not to give into nostalgia."Cinema Paradiso" is the rarest of rare gems.

Tribute to ITBHU

In the ruins of memory the house breathes

through its mouldy surface,

touched by strangers’ looks …

Time cracks inside the ripened walls.

It tears off with fragile flakes

Swollen with history

the heart of hearts

bestows its place on silence.