Nike Gunghariya

One of my favourite raagas has been Bilaskhani Todi.. I first fell in love with this raaga when I heard Pt. Satyasheel Deshpande sing this raaga in the song 'Jhoote Naina' along with Asha Bhosale in the film Lekin, composed by Pt. Hridayanath Mangeshkar.

Then one day I heard late Pt D V Paluskar singing 'Nike Ghunghariya' in the same raaga... this recording is of 1959. I found so much similarity in the gayaki of both Pt Paluskar and Pt Deshpande. Pt. D V Paluskar is one of the gems of India.. albeit hidden from the current generation.

Pt. Deshpande took this raaga to another plane in his album Kahen - 'Tanat Na Dhim'. His heavenly voice makes me just close my eyes and drift along the path of perfection, of nirvana.. where there is nothing but me and 'the voice'.. in the shunya... .   

But does the mind, worldly desires.. allow onself to break the chains.. go on a path of the heart.. which has nothing for me, no money, no fame, but pure bliss.. singing for communion with the Lord. Conversations are so futile.. compared with a Classical song.

आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी

आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी

तुझी चिंता त्यासी सर्व आहे, सर्व आहे||

नको खेद करू कोणत्या गोष्टीचा

पती लक्ष्मीचा जाण तसे, जाण तसे||

आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी|

सकळ जीवांचा तू करीतो सांभाळ

तुज मोकळील ऐसे नाही, ऐसे नाही||

आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी|

जैसी स्थिति आहे तैसा परी राहे

कौतुकु तू पाहे संचिताचे, संचिताचे||

आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी|

एका जनार्धनी भोग प्रारब्धाचा

हरीकृपे त्याचा नाश आहे, नाश आहे||

आवडीने भावे हरिनाम घेशी

तुझी चिंता त्यासी सर्व आहे, सर्व आहे||

Shri Eknaath wrote this abhang more than 400 years ago.. but the deep meaning of this is sometimes understood when I feel depressed seeing the state of today's society. It has been one of my favourites abhangs and I am trying to find it online... in vain. Somehow started singing this since morning.. dont know why

Ye Dil Mange More

These words said by Capt Vikram Batra, honoured with Param Vir Chakra (posthumously), in his last few days in the Kargil war, have inspired thousands of us.. and even today on the 10th anniversary, it speaks volumes of the bravery of our jawans, our real heroes.

When I see the likes of young men - Capt Batra, Manoj Pandey, Lt Saurabh Kalia and many more who laid down their lives to safeguard our nation, I become tearful and even sad thinking how their parents are coping up with the loss of their children. Only a parent knows how much trouble we take to raise our children, how much love we shower, how much we take pride in their first steps, their achievements... and one fine day the body comes back wrapped in the 'Tiranga'.

But while we salute our heroes.. I feel a sense of anger.. for whom did they lay down their lives? Just a few days ago Mulayam and Laloo in theatrical fashion raised concerns about their lives if NSG commandos are removed from their security. Who is going to try and attack them, they are the enemy inside, they are the people behind communal riots, corruption, atrocities towards the comman man.. with their demands, they show how insecure they are.. or how brazenly they want to protect their status. This same Mulayam when he was defence minister, used IAF plane 100 times to fly from Delhi to Lucknow.. not a single day did he visit the forward posts and check how the soldiers live in immense harships on the borders. But people have short memories.. these politicians (I cant call them leaders) get elected year after year.

In Lucknow, Mayawati is busy unveiling her statues in such a hurry as if there is a target to erect 1000 in the next 1 year, spending 100s of crores of taxpayers money, while in the same breath shamelessly going to central govt asking for assistance for the drought in UP. In Patna, police and people shamelessly enjoy watching a young woman being stripped in broad daylight... there are many such disgusting events happening across the country.

The corrupt goondas turned politicians dont deserve being protected by the elite NSG commandos, while aam admi gets slaughtered on the streets of Mumbai on 26/11 or thousands being blown to bits in the hundreds of bomb blasts which have rocked all major cities of India. And I know of a few who were in the Mumbai locals when these blasts happened.. one lost her face and the other could never reach home to treat his daughter to a party.

You get the government you deserve.. so true, with so many rapes of minor girls, brazen attacks on women in Mangalore.. the citizens are no worse. People have no value for others lives, the way they drive crazily on the roads.

So the question is why should our soldiers die for this nation which is falling in the abyss of corruption and disrespect of civil society. Its no wonder that the Indian army is facing a shortage of 12000+ officers. Its high time politicians understand that they cant keep playing with only money, power and people's lives. India's 4 wars with Pakistan happened because of the self-centered politicians not having time to think strategically, so engrossed they are in raising petty issues. Kargil happened because Indian politicians never had the same courage of Captain Batra to retort to Pakistan's policies of fostering terrorism. When the first bomb went off in Kashmir in 80s, the Indian response should have been ferocious.. so that the enemy thinks 100 times before they plan any other attack. Today US is not siding India.. because suddenly India has become a super power.. after 9/11, when they felt the same brunt of terrorism, its now in their interest to confine the terrorists to Pakistan, Afghanistan.. and India acts as a good counter balance. I remember in the 90s, Indian politicians/ diplomats used phrases like our neighbours should desist from creating trouble.. fearing to take name of Pakistan and Bangladesh. And even today when the ground reality hasnt changed, they are ready to start dialogue. But is that in our interest, it will be almost an year since 26/11 and we still keep making requests.. to get the perpetrators of the heinous crime, while these terrorists roam freely in Pakistan. Who are they fooling..

While we are proud of the ultimate sacrifices of our soldiers, I doubt whether the majority of us would be really proud of India. India's politicians, babus in government, police force, also sing the same mantra 'Ye Dil mange more'.. albeit for wine, women and wealth.

My favourite marathi songs.. the first 10

After a hectic week and even more busy weekend.. after hazaar chores, the most beautiful time spent on a Sunday evening is sitting at my desk reading and listening to age old favourite Marathi songs. It takes me to a culture which flourished in the sixties to nineties.. Abhang, Natya sangeet.. a legacy left behind by the likes of Pula, Pt Vasantrao Deshpande, Pt Jitendra Abhisheki, Ramdas Kamat, Lata and many more.

Here I would like to share some of the songs which i have liked.. and somewhere I am sure it connects me to some of you at a deeper level. I always felt that I was connected to the total stranger sitting whole nights next to me during Sawai Gandharva.. the love of Hindustani Classical music and Marathi culture creates that unseen bond. Here I go..

Starting with some of the songs from my favourite singer Pt Jitendra Abhisheki

1. दिव्य स्वातंत्र्य रवि

2. घेई छंद मकरंद

3. हे बंध रेशमाचे

4. कैवल्याचा चांदण्याला

This song has been one of my favourites.. it wells up tears, the last stanza Pandurang Pandurang.. crys to the self to leave the worldly things and get lost in the Lords bhakti.

5. काटा रुते कुणाला

6. सर्वातामाका सर्वेश्वरा

7. सागरा प्राण तळमळला

Never has this song failed to make me weep.. weep at the sacrifice of leaders like Swatantrya Veer Sawarkar.. sad that the freedom fighters went through so much hardships, torture, sacrifice for the Matra bhoomi which is today. How will we ever pay back their sacrifice.. I feel their तळमळ to see that our land is free .. not from any foreign rulers.. but from the enemy within.

8. घनश्याम सुंदरा

I would love to wake up with this Bhoopali.. it takes me to villages of Maharashtra.. myself walking bare foot on the red mud, seeing birds fly away in the clear sky, villagers herding their cattle.. walking towards their fields.

9. शूर आम्ही सरदार

Proud to be part of the land of the Greatest Warrior of all, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

10. गगन सदन तेजोमय

Amazing the way Lataji has sung this.

To be continued..

Proud of Nandan

Well I am not referring to self.. but the other Nandan, Nandan Nilekani. At the height of his career as the head of Infosys, India's second largest IT company, this gentleman leaves it all to give back to India and its people. I was never happy about Congress policies.. but hearing Dr Singh wanting more intellectuals like Nandan to join the government and bring about change.. it made me change my views.

Can NN make the difference and create India's equivalent of a SSN (US) or NI number (UK). will he be able to cut through the hazaar red-tape and corrupt officials to get the task done professionally and transperantly. Its a big risk more by the Congress govt than NN. Yes, you can say NN has by quitting Infosys and joining govt as a Cabinet minister actually raised Infy brand value. And knowing the high moral values advocated by Infosys, he would not be biased in awarding the multi-million contract to the organisation he founded. But if he is unable to progress on a massive IT and logistics project of creating a card for every Indian citizen..it will expose the inadequacies of the corrupt babudom that plagues govt administration.

I would go even one step further, link all bank accounts, credit cards, mobile phones to ISN (Indian Security number) or unique identifier.. in that way you get to know all financial transactions of film personalities, politicians, businessmen, cricketers, etc. Havala transactions can be then made extremely difficult.

Will the ISN as I call it.. weed out the lacs of Bangladeshis living in the country illegally.. or will it be as easy as getting the ration card by greasing a few palms. But the beginning itself is exciting and I wish to remain positive that a 'Few good men' maybe finally able to change India's destiny.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Saw this movie first time when I was doing my graduation.. saw it again a few weeks ago.. but did not find it as hilarious as the first time. Is life getting too serious.

Talking of automobiles.. it takes me back to India where there are too many autos on the road.. with too many people packed as sardines (once I counted 12 in Hyderabad while going to Hitech city in Hyderabad). And too many accidents starting with the one in which I and my father were involved travelling on my first day of 10th Std board exam. Fortunately we both escaped with minor injuries and I could give my exam. Or the one in which my father was caught under the overturned auto and spent the next 6 months limping. But there are few who are not so lucky on the Indian roads.. where no one can guess where someone will come in front or from the side. Too many accidents, chaotic traffic conditions, indisciplined drivers, even driving on the wrong side on National highways.. I just thought thats the way and if you have to survive, you need to anticipate others mistakes. But its not surprising to know the reason behind this.. I go back 10 years to 1999 when I first got my car license in Ghatkopar driving test centre. It was a rainy day in July and the fat inspector was so lazy, he just asked the driving school staff to bring all the applicants and asked their name and gave away the licenses. He and his superiors had already pocketed their share through the well oiled system.

So the first thing which struck me in UK was the disciplined traffic, where everyone drives in their own lane and change lanes/ direction only after indicating. I was amazed at the way everyone drove with similar discipline. I thought its because of being a first world country, people being educated, therefore everyone is considerate to the other driver, or cyclist and people crossing the road. It was not long before I realised that though these may be some of the reasons, the main one is the way driving tests are conducted in UK. There is first of all no scope for corruption, due to total transperancy in the way the test is conducted. Each driver is allowed 16 minor faults before he is failed, but even one serious or dangerous fault means failure. Considering my driving experience of 10 years, I was sure to pass the test the first time. I must have taken more than 2 months to go through 1000+ Q & A to pass the theory test, and even took 5 lessons for the practical. And the result, FAIL. I was shocked.. the inspector had given 3 minor and 1 serious fault as I indicated at the very last moment before exiting from a roundabout. I knew I had to unlearn my Indian way of driving.

I did many practice runs on roundabouts before the second test, which I cleared eventually. Thats when I realised how the test system puts everyone through the grind. And now when I take the car out everyday, its become second nature to give way when entering a main road, or MSM (Mirror-signal-manoeuvre) routine before changing lanes or entering motorway.

The best part of driving in UK is the country roads. I used to take 45 min to an hour driving every morning to my office from Wakad to Pune station, a distance of 16 km.. while here I travel through the A/B roads, the same distance in 20 min or take the motorway and travel at 70 mph to reach office without my blood boiling. The other day while returning home.. on the M4, I was listening to Sanjeev Abhyankar, passing an Edie Stobart long haul truck.. and suddenly it struck me.. that though in a foreign country my heart still belonged to what is good about India and secondly if only I could drive so hassle-free in India, lost in Raga Bhairav instead of cursing the nth driver cutting lanes, or trying to save the car from being dented by some auto..

Dr Manmohan Singh wants to invest heavily in infrastructure.. but wider roads dont mean lesser accidents. First the system has to change to educate people the essence of driving.. that you are not alone on the road and every life is precious. Hope to see that day when we Indians 'give way' to others on the road to safety (and probably prosperity).

The first 4 mile run

Sunday's weekly run started from Chestnut Avenue and down the woods towards Bearwood Road. The initial stretch goes past some playgrounds and tennis courts, but as I progressed further the trail became narrow and surrounded by dense foliage. Scary if there were animals around so I quickened my pace to reach Bearwood road. But reaching it made me realise I was on to a state road with 50 mph restriction and no pathway. with cars wheezing past, evening time, with no reflector vest, I realised my mistake immediately. Being a single carriageway some of the cars had to stop to let cars coming from opposite to cross.
Relief now that I was on Sandy lane and again that seemed to end abruptly in another trail, but a family coming back from a playground directed me ahead to Barkham road. By now I had done 1.5 miles. Went slight downhill and back to tar road and onto Barkham road.
Barkham road had lot of traffic and due to repair work, even dusty. By the time I took left onto Woosehill lane, I had completed 2.5 miles and was going on a song. the first 1-2 miles are always the difficult.
But the next part up Meadow and Murray Road was a climb and slowed me down. My aim to complete in 36 min at 9 min pace was looking to be difficult. Reached Oxford road and now it was a smooth run onto Reading road, I was overtaking 15-20 cars standstill all waiting to get onto Reading road.
Once on Reading road, I looked at my watch and I had already crossed 30 min and legs were hurting due to running on the uneven pavement, kept pushing as I had to reach Morrisons on Woosehill. Met an old man on the way, who smiled in an appreciating manner and gave way on the narrow footpath. Made me rush to complete my first breaking the 4-mile barrier, time 37.18. Phew.. the sense of achievement is nothing compared to the loneliness of the long-distance runner.
My coach from Reading Roadrunners just finished two races, the Portland Bill coastal path half marathon in 2:56 and Bramley 20 mile in 3:18, all at the age of 70 plus.. it put my effort in perspective though.

Punha ekda Konkanachi vaat dharu

The thought of writing a blog been there for last 1 year.. but today thanks to a friend I finally ventured to write one and kickstart writing on issues which are closest to my heart.



The first one I chose was on Konkan, maybhoomi. And the man who took me 1000s of km from my current location in UK to my native place in Konkan is none other than the famous Pu La Deshpande. It was late after dinner that self and wife sat down to listen to Pu La's Antu Barva and thats when Konkan flashed in front of our eyes and brought back memories... of some of my childhood days spent in my village, Aros, which is near Sawantwadi. One of the summer vacations I stayed there for a week and understood the way of the village man. Taking buffaloes to the river for their bath (and ablutions) was quite a task.. but enjoyable. Sitting at the family shop in the Aros bazaar, I came in close contact with the village folk.. I was introduced as the cousin from Mumbai. Some of them fondly recalled that I was son of 'Anna' Kamat as my father was known in the village which he left in the 1950s to settle in Mumbai.

There is an Antu Barva in many of these villagers.. who are quite poor, but have an opinion on anything and everything. When railway finally came to Konkan, Goa.. this man still remained away from it. It was constructed probably by Telugu labour force which moves around with their families. While our Antu sat down with his bidi (udhar chi) in the cool shade in the bazaar talking of what some person in Sawantwadi or Vengurla making money.

But the lack of industry has its own way of keeping Konkan beautiful. My bath used to be a wonderful experience.. standing under a coconut tree, taking hot water from the 'hundi' sitting on a fire.. to going and getting the cold water from the well nearby. Later half of the mornings was spend in constructing the 'gotha' for the buffaloes.. that time the house flooring was of 'shena' or cow dung. But it used to be so cool in the afternoon to sleep on such a floor. I still lament the fact that today tiles have replaced the 'shena'. there used to be a verandah with a stone seat.. i could sleep there and read my novels.. while the house dog would stay below always hungry for some tit bits from me. Or ready to go with me on a walk to the 'tali' or pond which was 300-400 m away up in the fields. Once I even went and had a bath there.. and I still remember the scent in the air and the cold water flowing down my body.



Konkan is because of its people who are satisfied in what they get rather than join the rat race of big cities like Mumbai. Today if one of my uncles would not have made a choice to remain back in the village I would never have had such beautiful memories..



So next time I go, it will not be a flying visit but to stay for a week and let my daughter also experience Konkan as it needs to be experienced.. 'nivant' and preserve beautiful memories of the Kamat household and be called the grand-daughter of Anna Kamat.