A Sensitive Artist

Devi nahi

2010-07-01T23:23:00.000-07:00

Recently there have been numerous crimes against women... from strangers to families to in-laws... women have been at the receiving end... just a coupla lines for them

मै मै हूँ तुम्हारा साया नहीं

मै चल सकती हूँ तुम्हारे पीछे पीछे

परन्तु मै कोई अनुगामी नहीं

हूँ मै सूरज की किरण

परन्तु शीतल है मेरा मनं

हूँ कठोर मै शिलाओं जैसी

परुन्तु कोमल है मेरा अन्तकरण

सींच सकती हूँ तुम्हारे जीवन का थल

परन्तु चाहिए मुझे भी अनुराग

औरत हूँ देवी नहीं

आराधना के नाम पे न करो तिरस्कार

हूँ में भी इंसान

इंसानों का दर्जा दो मुझे

है मेरी भी पहचान

बस उस पहचान की पहचान दो मुझे

औरत हूँ देवी नहीं

आराधना के नाम पे न करो तिरस्कार

Mai mai hoon tumhara saya nahi

Mai chal sakti hoon tumhare peeche peeche

Parantu mai koi anugaami nahi

Hoon mai sooraj ki kiran

Parantu sheetal hai mera mann

Hoon kathor mai shilaon jaisi

Paruntu komal hai mera antkaran

Seench sakti hoon tumhare jeevan ka thal

Parantu chahiye mujhe bhi anurag

Aurat hoon devi nahi

Aradhana ke naam pe na karo tiraskar

Hoon main bhi insaan

Insaano ka darja do mujhe

Hai meri bhi pehchaan

Bas us pehchaan ki pehchaan do mujhe

Aurat hoon devi nahi

Aradhana ke naam pe na karo tiraskar

Ab bhi yaad aati hai

2010-05-19T04:07:00.001-07:00

तेरी आँखों की गहराई अब भी याद आती है

शामे मासूम की अंगड़ाई अब भी याद आती है

उन लम्हों की बेपरवाही अब भी याद आती है

आहिस्ता आहिस्ता नजदीकी अब भी याद आती है

और भी लम्हे है जो यह दिन लायेंगे

जो हमें आगे याद आयेंगे

अभी तोह हकीकत में ख़्वाबों को जीते है

वोह सभी गुस्ताखियाँ अब भी याद आती है

Teri aankhon ki gehrai ab bhi yaad aati hai

Shaame masoom ki angdai ab bhi yaad aati hai

Un lamho ki beparwahi ab bhi yaad aati hai

Aahista aahista nazdeeki ab bhi yaad aati hai

Aur bhi lamhe hai jo yeh din layenge

Jo humein aage yaad aayenge

Abhi toh haqeeqat mein khwabon ko jeete hai

Woh sabhi gustaakhiyan ab bhi yaad aati hai

Sher e bahaara

2010-05-17T03:04:00.000-07:00

आये वह भी हमारे जनाज़े पे तोह सुकून आये

हम अपने ही जनाज़े पे हर भार बड़ी धूम से नाचे है

Aaye woh bhi humaare janaze pe toh sukoon aaye

Hum apne hi janaaze pe har baar badi dhoom se naache hai

Ok, here is a little explanation for these lines.This comes because someone said to me that likha toh accha hai but what does this mean? Now, Janaaza means - funeral, but here I refer to it as my misery. So this is what the sher essentially means

if you (lover/friend/family/confidante) come and share my misery it will give me some relief.
Its always been me alone who has laughed off (celebrated) my misery every time all by myself.

Hasti

2010-02-18T20:37:00.000-08:00

कुच्छ ठहरा हुआ सा पानी

कुच्छ सहमे हुए से मंज़र

कुच्छ पानी की लहरें बोल पड़ी

कुच्छ पत्तो की हलचल घुल गयी

कुच्छ देखा तुमने हमको ऐसे

सारी हस्ती हमारी खिल गयी

Kucch tehra hua sa paani

Kucch sehme hue se manzar

Kucch paani ki lehrein bol padi

Kucch patto ki halchal ghul gayi

Kucch dekha tumne humko aise

Saari hasti humaari khil gayi

Baagpan

2010-01-12T03:33:00.000-08:00

बाग्पन में इन पलकों पे ख्वाब खूब सजाये थे

पढाई करते करते किताबों में drawing भी बनाये थे

फोर्मुलों में खोके हम बहुत ही पगलाए थे

दोस्तों के बीच बैठ के गप्पे भी बहुत लड़ाए थे

कभी तोह मिल जाये झलक उसकी ऐसे बहाने भी बनाये थे

Class से निकल कर रेगिस्टर भी सिग्न करवाए थे

जाके उनकी class में टीचर से बेबुनियाद सवाल भी उठाये थे

कभी कभी football की field पे टीम को पानी भी पिलाया था

सहेली से बातें करने के बहाने उसे फ़ोन भी लगाया था

सोच के लगता है शायद कभी अपना उल्लू भी बनाया था

अब वह लम्हे सोचे तोह होठों पे मुस्कान आती है

बाग्पन के वह दिन स्कूल की याद दिलाते है

Baagpan mein in palkon pe khwab khoob sajaye the

Padhai karte karte kitabon main drawing bi banaye the

Formulon mein khoke hum bahut hi the

Doston ke beech baith ke guppe bhi bahut ladaye the

Kabhi toh mil jaye jhalak uski aise bahane bhi banaye the

Class se nikal kar register bhi sign karvaye the

Jaake unki class mein teacher se bebooniyad sawaal bhi uthaye the

Kabhi kabhi football ki field pe team ko paani bhi pilaya tha

Saheli se baatein karne ke bahane use phone bhi lagaya tha

Soch ke lagta hai shayad kabhi apna ullu bhi banaya tha

Ab woh lamhe soche toh hothon pe muskaan aati hai

Baagpan ke woh din school ki yaad dilate hai

Khamoshi

2010-01-11T03:04:00.001-08:00

पता है कुच्छ लव्जों में कह सकते है वह दिल की बात

शायद यह ख़ामोशी ज्यादा मुश्किल है उन लव्जों से

कहने सुनने की बातें तो होती रहेंगी उम्र भर

कभी यूँही पास में बैठो ख़ामोशी से

हमारी सांसों को सुनने दो तुम्हारी सांसों की सरगम

दिल की धड़कन को होने दो एहसास तुम्हारी करीबी का

खामोश इस माहोल में कभी हवा को कुच्छ गुन गुनाने दो

समंदर की लहरों को भी दिल को छु जाने दो

रेत में खींची यह लाखिरे धुल जाने दो

बस इस ख़ामोशी को एक फ़साना बन जाने दो

बस एक फ़साना बन जाने दो

कहने सुनने की बातें तो होती रहेंगी उम्र

Pata hai kucch lavzo mein keh sakte hai woh dil ki baat

Shayad yeh khamoshi zyada mushkil hai un lavzo se

Kehne sunne ki baatein toh hoti rahengi umra bhar

Kabhi yunhi paas mein baitho khamoshi se

Humari sanson ko sunne do tumhari sanson ki sargam

Dil ki dadkan ko hone do ehsaas tumhari kareebi ka

Khamosh is mahol mein kabhi hawa ko kucch gun gunane do

Samandar ki lehro ko bhi dil ko chu jaane do

Ret mein keenchi yeh lakhire dhul jaane do

Bas is khamoshi ko ek fasana ban jaane do

Bas ek fasana ban jaane do

Kehne sunne ki baatein toh hoti rahengi umra bhar

That Look

2010-01-08T00:55:00.001-08:00

I know that look

I have seen it before

It grips you in its constraint

It holds you close

It analyses

It questions

It reserves its own decision

Look deep into my eyes

And I know what u are thinking

Ask me and I shall tell

Hold my hand cause I will guide you

Question my judgment & I will rationalize

I will be your balance

Balance the right and the wrong

Don’t just look at me like that

I have seen that look before

It hurt me bad

2009-12-16T21:15:00.000-08:00

I am associated with one NGO that fights against Child Sexual Abuse called Arpan. The NGO essentially spreads awareness among parents about child sexual abuse and how you can save your children from it.

Children are very innocent and it is not only your girl child who is susceptible to sexual abuse but also the male child. We are looking for funds for the NGO.

I have tried to express what a child feels, when his sacred space is invaded.

My Soft brown eyes

My innocent little smile

I had these small hands

And my feet could barely take long strides

I held your hand

And just walked along

I trusted you

You took me inside

It felt so nice

You had big hands

And they just covered mine

It felt so warm

I wanted to giggle cause I felt so excited

You said you had a secret to share

I wanted to be the one to know

I wanted to know what you had to say

Then you got up

And touched me

It felt so warm at first

Then why did you shove me down

And showed me that thing

I was so scared, but I held on

Because I trusted you

You held me so tight

And rubbed me so bad

It hurt me

It hurt me really bad

I wanted to scream

But the voice never came out

I don’t know why you punished me

I think because I am bad

Don’t bad things happen to bad people?

You are here to punish me, right?

I will not say a word

Not a word to Mommy and Daddy

I don’t want you to punish them

I love them

I will take this punishment

So that they are happy

I trusted you so much

Then why did you do this to me?

It hurt me

It hurt me really bad

Please visit the links below and help our cause:

1. Male Survivors of Child Sex Abuse. a great resource - http://www.malesurvivor.org/myths.html

2. Story of a sexually abused child - http://www.mumbaikar.com/en/blog/post/shivalika-sharma/the-story-of-a-sexually-abused-child.html

3. Hope Runs: help ARPAN for the cause! http://bit.ly/53TAXJ #CSA http://www.bit.ly/HopeRuns

4. children silently suffer.... lets fight against ignorance. http://bit.ly/HRuns4

5. Sexual Offenders Use the Internet to Fast Track Abuse of Children http://bit.ly/515wEd

6. Hope Runs: Read more, support the cause http://hope-runs.blogspot.com/ & http://www.bit.ly/HopeRuns

7. Donate for the cause against Child Sex Abuse - http://www.bit.ly/HopeRuns

Naya naya

2009-11-25T00:46:00.001-08:00

आज सुबह कुच्छ नया सा है

आज दिल में एक हलचल सी है

शायद कुछ बेकरारी या बेताबी

आसमान कभी दीखता है धरती पे

कभी लगता है धरती ले चली मुझे आसमान पे

होटों पे कभी एक मुस्कराहट आई

आँखें कभी इधर उधर मंडराई

जाने क्या नयी बात है

फिर भी आज सुबह कुच्छ नया सा है

Aaj subah kucch naya sa hai

Aaj dil main ek hulchul si hai

shayad kuch bekarari ya betaabi

Aasmaan kabhi dikhta hai dharti pe

Kabhi lagta hai dharti le chali mujhe aasmaan pe

Hoton pe kabhi ek muskurahat aayi

aankhein kabhi idhar udhar mandarayi

Jaane kya nayi baat hai

Phir bhi aaj subah kucch naya sa hai

My recipe...

2009-10-29T22:58:00.000-07:00

http://fondoffood.blogspot.com/2009/10/jhat-pat-healthy-palak-chicken.html

Kisht

2009-10-08T03:35:00.000-07:00

शब्दों की हेरा फेरी में

मुलाकातों की गुथी हम न सुलझा पाए

हमने तोह की थी दिल्लगी

पर यह रिश्ता हम न झुटला पाए

जो रिश्ता जुडा है हमारा तुमसे ज़िन्दगी

कुच्छ क़र्ज़ था शायद तुमपे

देना तो है वापस तुम्हे वो सब

मगर शायद थोडी और किश्ते लगेंगी

Shabdo ki hera pheri mein

Mulakaton ki guthi hum na suljha paye

Humne toh ki thi dillagi

Par yeh rishta hum na jhutla paye

Jo rishta juda hai humara tumse zindagi

Kucch karz tha shayad tumpe

Dena toh hai wapas tumhe woh sab

Magar shayad thodi aur kishte lagengi

Baarish II

2009-10-05T02:40:00.000-07:00

ओक्टुबर की एक गरम दोपहर

एक चन्दन की माला से निकली खुशबू

महकाया उसने हमारा आँगन

जब थे हम तैयार धुप को सहने

टपक पड़ी छोटी छोटी बूंदे

देखते ही देखते बारिश बर्रायी

और भीग गया पूरा अंगना

काले काले बदल

ठंडी ठंडी हवा

धुप का कोई नामो निशान नहीं

अब यह देखो नया “October Heat” हमारा

मुबारक हो मुबारक हो

हाय यह बारिश

Octuber ki ek garam dopahar

Ek Chandan ki mala se nikali khushboo

Mehkaya usne humara aangan

Jab the hum tayyar dhoop ko sehne

Tapak padi choti choti boonde

Dekhte hi dekhte baarish barrayi

Aur bheeg gaya poora angna

Kale kale badal

Thandi thandi hawa

Dhoop ka koi naamo nishan nahi

Ab yeh dekho naya “October Heat” humara

Mubarak Ho Mubarak Ho

Hai yeh Baarish

Baarish

2009-09-24T02:48:00.000-07:00

सोंधी सोंधी सी मिटटी की खुशबू

टिप टिप यह बरसता पानी

ठंडी ठंडी हवा का झोंका

यह खिलखिलाती हंसी

यूँ तल्ल्येया में कूदके पानी उछालना

सर से पौ तक भीगना

गाने गाना

फिर जब ठण्ड लगे तोह गरमा गरम चाय

हाय यह बारिश

Sondhi sondhi si mitti ki khushboo

Tip tip yeh barasta paani

Thandi thandi hawa ka jhonka

Yeh kilkhilati hansi

Yun tallayiya mein koodke paani uchalna

Sir se pau tak bheegna

Gaane gana

Phir jab thand lage toh garama garam chai

Hai yeh baarish

Zindagi ki kitaab

2009-09-17T01:53:00.000-07:00

एक पुराने दराज़ में कुच्छ किताबो को रखा देखा हमने

एक किताब थी उसमे, जिसका नाम ज़िन्दगी था

उसमे लगी धुल को हमने हाथ से हटाया

उसके पन्ने पलटते हुए जब देखा हमने

कुच्छ तसवीरें थी जो दूंडली सी मगर दिखाई दी

कुच्छ पल यूँ लौट आये जेहेन में

कुच्छ कुशी के पल और कुच्छ गम के पल

कुच्छ चेहरे देखे जो खो से गए थे

और फिर हमने खुद को देखा

बस तभी वोह ज़िन्दगी की किताब

बोल पड़ी हमसे

क्यूँ मुझे तुम यूँ छोड़ के जाना चाहती हो

क्यूँ नहीं देखती तुम उन पलों में

जब मैंने तुम्हे हसाया था

जब मैंने तुम्हे रुलाया था

पर पल ही तोह थे वोह

जिन्हें पन्नो में पिरो के यह किताब बनी है

येही तोह ज़िन्दगी है

कुच्छ अच्छे पल थोड़े बुरे पल

अभी भी तुम्हारे बहोत पन्ने खाली है

उनमे लिख दो तुम अपनी इस कलम से

वोह पल जो शायद तुम इन पन्नो में वापस

देखना चाहो ढूँढना चाहो

मैं हूँ वोह ज़िन्दगी की किताब

जो तुम्हारे बाद भी रहेगी

लोगो की यादों में

घरवालों के प्यार में

दोस्तों के दुलार में

येही वोह किताब है मेरे पास, जिसका नाम ज़िन्दगी है

और अभी उसके बहुत पन्ने खाली है

Ek puraane daraaz mein kucch kitaabo ko rakha dekha humne

Ek kitaab thi unme, jiska naam zindagi tha

Usme lagi dhool ko humne haath se hathya

Uske panne paltte hue jab dekha humne

Kucch tasveerein thi jo doondli si magar dikhai di

Kucch pal yun laut aye jehen mein

Kucch kushi ke pal aur kucch gam ke pal

Kucch chehre dekhe jo kho se gaye the

Aur phir humne khud ko dekha

Bas tabhi woh zindagi ki kitaab

Bol padi humse

Kyun mujhe tum yun chhod ke jana chahti ho

Kyun nahi dekhti tum un palon mein

Jab maine tumhe hasaya tha

Jab maine tumhe rulaya tha

Par pal hi toh the woh

Jinhe panno mein piro ke yeh kitaab bani hai

Yehi toh zindagi hai

Kucch acche pal thode bure pal

Abhi bhi tumhare bahot panne khaali hai

Unme likh do tum apni is kalam se

Woh pal jo shayad tum in panno mein wapas

Dekhna chaho Dhoondna chaho

Main hoon woh Zindagi ki kitaab

Jo tumhare baad bhi rahegi

Logo ki yaadon mein

Gharwalon ke pyar mein

Dosto ke dular mein

Yehi woh kitaab hai mere paas, jiska naam zindagi hai

Aur abhi uske bahut panne khaali hai

Umang

2009-09-13T22:09:00.000-07:00

मुद्दतो के बाद यह शाम आई है

तन्हाई में उमंग की इक अंगडाई आई है

चुपके से होटों पे मुस्कान आई है

अँधेरे में उजाले की इक शमा जलाई है

Muddato ke baad yeh Shaam aayi hai

Tanhayi mein umang ki ik angadayi aayi hai

Chupke se hoton pe muskaan aayi hai

Andhere mein ujaale ki ik shama jalayi hai

Aks

2009-09-09T00:42:00.000-07:00

अक्स जो देखा आज आईने में हमने

तो वोह बोला मुझे तुम कौन हो भाई

यूँ कही सहमे से तुम तोह न थे कभी

अक्स ने मुझे पुछा की तुम कौन हो ऐ अज्नीबी

क्यूँ तुम यूँ अलग अलग से दीखते हो

तुम्हारी सासे भी क्यूँ अनजानी सी लगती है

क्यूँ नहीं है वोह महक तुम्हारी बातों में

क्यूँ तुम इस तरह खाभी खो से जाते हो

अगर तुम मैं हूँ तोह मैं तोह कही और हूँ

मैं तुम नहीं

क्या तुम्हे तुम्हारा अब पता नहीं

क्यूँ ऐसे खोये, अनजाने, अज्नीबी से हो

अक्स जो देखा आज ईन में हमने

Aks jo dekha aaj aaeene mein humne

Toh woh bola mujhe tum kaun ho bhai

Yun kahi sehme se tum toh na the kabhi

Aks ne moojhe poocha ki tum kaun ho ae ajneebi

Kyun tum yun alag alag se dikhte ho

Tumhari saase bhi kyun anjaani si lagti hai

Kyun nahi hai woh mehek tumhari baaton mein

Kyun tum iss tarah khabhi kho se jate ho

Agar tum main hun toh main toh kahi aur hoon

Main tum nahi

Kya tumhe tumhara ab pata nahi

Kyun aise khoye, anjaane, ajneebi se ho

Aks jo dekha aaj aeene mein humne

Sher

2009-09-08T04:04:00.001-07:00

यु इत्तेफाक से हम इक ज़माने बाद मिले है

इस गुफ्तगू में सिर्फ एक उल्फत की नज़र चाहिए

तेरी तस्वीर से हम कई दफा इज़हार करते है

मेरे इस तस्सवुर को थोडी हकीक़त चाहिए

Yu ittefaaq se hum ik zamane baad mile hai

Is guftagu mein sirf ek ulfat ki nazar chahiye

Teri tasveer se hum kai dafaa izhaar karte hai

Mere is tassavur ko thodi hakeeqat chahiye

Daur

2009-09-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

ज़िनदगी की सिलवटों में एक दौर ऐसा भी था
जहाँ ख़ुशी लम्हों में नहीं सिमटी थी
एक दौर यह भी है की कुशी सिर्फ एक आरजू है
वोह तोह हमारी कुश्मिजाज़ी है जो हमें थामे

Zinadgi ki silvaton mein ek daur aisa bhi tha
Jahan khushi lamho mein nahi simti thi
Ek daur yeh bhi hai ki kushi sirf ek arzoo hai
Woh toh humari kushmizaazi hai jo hame thame hai

Ek aur sher

2009-09-01T22:21:00.000-07:00

इन उजालो में भी कभी एक अँधेरा सा लगता है

भरी महफिल में भी हर कोई अनजाना सा लगता है

शायद यह आँखें जिसे दूंद रही है

वो इंसान कहीं खो गया सा लगता है

गिरती हुई बारिश की बूंदों में एक सुखा सा लगता है

ठंडी हवा के झोंके में कुच्छ जल गया सा लगता है

शायद जिस एहसास को पाना चाहती हूँ

वो एहसास कहीं खो गया सा लगता है

इस शोर गुल में भी एक सन्नाटा सा लगता है

सुनी हुई नज्मों में कुच्छ अनसुना सा लगता है

शायद जो मुद्दत से कहना है मुझे

वोह लव्ज़ कहीं खो गए सा लगता है

In ujaalo mein bhi kabhi ek andhera sa lagta hai

Bhari mehfil mein bhi har koi anjaana sa lagta hai

Shayad yeh aankhen jise doond rahi hai

Who insaan kaheen kho gaya sa lagta hai

Girti hui baarish ki boondo mein ek sukha sa lagta hai

Thandi hawa ke jhonke mein kucch jal gaya sa lagta hai

Shayad jis ehasaas ko pana chahti hoon

Who ehasaas kahin kho gaya sa lagta hai

Is shor gul mein bhi ek sannata sa lagta hai

Suni hui nazmon mein kucch ansuna sa lagta hai

Shayad jo muddat se kehna hai mujhe

Woh lavza kaheen kho gaye sa lagta hai

My Interview

2009-08-30T22:02:00.000-07:00

Sher e bahaar

2009-08-26T23:48:00.001-07:00

कुछ दफनाये हुए से लम्हे निकाले हमनें
तोह एक सहमी सी आवाज़ आई की न खेलो ज़ज्बातों से
हमें भी शौक था दिल से दिल्लगी कर ली
जो शमा बुझ चुकी थी उसमें चिंगारी भर दी

Kucch dafanaaye hue se lamhe nikale humne
toh ek sehmi si awaz aai ki naa khelo zazbaaton se
hume bhi shouk tha dil se dillagi kar li
jo shama buzh chuki this usme chigari bhar di

Ek aur sher

2009-08-26T05:10:00.000-07:00

यह जो शामे फुरकत की लौट आई है तुम्हें रुखसत करके

हम तो ग़म को छुपाया करते अपनी आंखों में

यूँ तो फितरत में नही है हमारी आंसू दिखाना

पर यह निकल आते है तुम्हारी आरजू में

Yeh jo shaame furkat ki lout aayi hai tumhe ruksat karke

Hum toh gham ko chupaya karte apni aankhon mein

Yu toh fidrat mein nahi hai humari aansu dikhana

Par yeh nikal aate hai tumhari aarzoo mein

Sirf ek Sher

2009-08-26T00:14:00.000-07:00

यूँही हम पे इलजामे मोहब्बत न लगाओ

शायद हमें मोहब्बत की इजाज़त नहीं

हम खड़े तो हैं खुद के दम पर

लेकिन किसने कहा हमें सहारे की ज़रुरत नहीं

Yuhi hum pe ilzaame mohabbat na lagao

Shayad hume mohabbat ki izzazat nahi

Hum khade toh hai khud ke dum par

Lekin kisne kaha hume sahare ki zaroorat nahi

Vacuum

2009-08-18T04:34:00.000-07:00

Involuntarily the tears just roll down

An image just flashes by

The feelings overcome all sensibilities

I try to grab for support

All I get is vacuum

There is nothing

Just nothing but stillness

Nothing to hold on to

Nothing to latch on to

I did have a hope

That too was taken away

This vacuum suffocates me

I choke

I want to call out

But I must not speak

My words can destroy the peace

I embrace myself

I am the only one I can hold on to

I am the only one I can trust

I must walk

If I want to call

I must just call for myself

I will be there for me

It is my battle

And I shall fight it

Who says I am alone

I have me

And I will come out triumphant

Why?

2009-08-13T05:01:00.001-07:00

Why is it that sometimes you just want to tear your heart out.

Why is it that sometimes you want to just cry out loud

Why is it that sometimes u want to just hold on

Why is it sometimes all you want to do is move on

Why is it sometimes the tears just roll down

Why is it sometimes that u can not give up the frown

Why is it sometimes u just cant love enough

Why is it sometimes that you just don’t want to give up

Why should you pain

Why cant everything be just the same

Why is all I want to know, why!

Serendipity

2009-08-12T03:50:00.001-07:00

Do things happen by chance?

Or are these things created by us

Or there is the power that we call God

Some day when I know the truth

I will tell everybody

I am just walking the path

That is laid before me

Some bends are beautiful

And some are just plain dreadful

But I just walk

Cause that’s the best that I can do

If this whole circus is created by Him

Then He would surely be God

But God has this funny habit

Of changing sign boards every now and then

Of putting roadblocks

Of closing shops when u want to buy

Of opening shops when u are broke

But I know there is sense

In the comedy that He is creating

So I do walk

But I do make choices as well

To follow the sign board that I want

To avoid or climb over the roadblock

To get good bargains from where I want

After all I believe in destiny

Mirage

2009-07-29T21:11:00.000-07:00

My world is spinning around me
Everything seems surreal

In this vast empty land
I see a mirage
Stupid me
After all isn’t it just an illusion
The more I try to grab it
The further away it gets

I am parched
But is it really water that I want?
But there is something that can quench the thirst
Can I open the dams of emotions?
I know it will flood everything around me
I restraint
But I am choking
Is there no way out?

The land remains dry
I can see the cracks now
But I can not fill them
I am waiting for the rains to come
To overwhelm the land with their love
To embrace the cracks and fill them

I know I have the ability
But just not yet
I can not open the dams of emotions
I know it will flood everything around me
I restraint
But I am choking
I am waiting for the way out

Some original Knock Knock Jokes

2009-07-10T07:55:00.000-07:00

‘Knock Knock’ ‘who’s there’ ’Awesome’ ‘Awesome who?’ ‘Ah saw some people steal your car’

‘Knock Knock’ ‘who’s there?’ ’Fanatic’ ‘Fanatic who?’ ‘Fan theek karne aya hoon darwaza kholo’

‘Knock Knock’ ‘who’s there?’ ’Childish’ ‘Childish who?’ ‘Abe Chai dish mein dal ke de’

‘Knock Knock’ ‘who’s there?’ ’Guest’ ‘Guest who?’ ‘Guess toh kar ke dekh’

‘Knock Knock’ ‘who’s there?’ ’Handsome’ ‘Handsome who?’ ‘Hand some of those gold coins to me NOW’

'Knock Knock' 'Who's there' 'Rainman' 'Rainman who?' 'Rain mein khade khade bheeg gaya hoon andar le mujhe'

’Knock Knock' 'Who's there' 'Rehman' 'Rehman Who?' 'Rehem na aayi tereko darinde, mujhe ghar se nikhala'

'Knock Knock' 'Who's there' 'Charlie' 'Charlie Who?’ 'Char lee thi Panchvi lene aya hoon'

Religion and Fast

2009-07-05T23:41:00.000-07:00

Just day before it was ‘ashadi ekadashi’ many of my colleagues at work were fasting. Very strange! I mean not strange that they fast, but strange that they think they can attain god just by fasting. Fast and religion are definitely not connected… though a lot of people would like to argue on this point with me.

Scientific Fact: Our body needs to be detoxified at least once a month… if we could do it once a week then it is better… and detoxification essentially means either having only liquids through the day or having a 100% fruit diet on one given day. As earlier there were no schools or any other mediums of teaching such a thing… all these “better living techniques” were taught via temples or churches or other religious institutes… these “better living techniques” were then wrongly construed as being means to attain god by people… Ridiculous!!! Because such a practice had a certain power over people and they could be manipulated by the keepers of these religious setups, such practices were given encouragement. These practices changed from that of voluntary to forced, induced by two factors fear and greed for achieving goodness (and God!). And hence it became a custom.

And Alas! What detoxification do we do? People eat Sabudana Khichdee that is full of peanuts (one of the most difficult things to digest), Deep fried Sabudana wadas and paotato fries… they eat all kinds of papads (that are “allowed” during fasts) or on the other extreme do not drink water for the whole day – in turn dehydrating their bodies. We are educated now and know so much more about science and how our body functions etc. Do people not understand that you do not reach God by eating or not eating certain food items? Are people really so intellectually lame to still believe in fasting as a way to get into God’s good books? It’s for you all to decide…

Brighter Than A Star

2009-05-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

Let the sun shine
High up above in the sky
Let me bathe in the intense light

Let out the full passion that you have

I am not shy
I am not afraid
I shall stand my ground
I shall douse my whole existence

I will draw strength from you
For even I want to shine

Fire my soul
And I shall take your radiance
Burn my skin
And I shall glow with splendor

And then when you are done
I will challenge you
Because then I shall be
Brighter than a Star

Working at TICB

2009-05-18T22:09:00.000-07:00

I joined this company, Tecnimont ICB Pvt. Ltd., some 6 months back. It is an EPC company, meaning Engineering-Procurement-Construction, in Industry verticals like Oil and Gas, Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Fertilizers, Refinery, Power and Infrastructure. I handle Corporate Communication here. Now, you will wonder, what is an artist doing in an Engineering company? Well, one I am handling Corporate Communication here and my agency background helps, two I have been in Business Development for a fairly long time to understand the implications of corporate communication on business and three I am a fast learner, I have already started understanding the ways of this industry.

My company is located at Mindspace in Malad, Mumbai. Yes, it is this large and beautiful building right in the middle of the IT and BPO hub of Mumbai. It has this lush green garden right in front of the office building which has fountains inside that not only water the plants but also give this quaint appeal to the office premises.

The people here do not have the typical corporate conduct that I have become so used to. I am here, surrounded by engineers who are wired differently. My approach for undertaking communication initiatives for them also has to be very different. Engineers are supposed to be left brained people, who use strong logic in everyday activities as well. Simple people who have simple needs and just need to know that the company cares. We do not have to deal with issues like attrition like the other IT, BPO or Financial Services industry – here we have the loyalty in place. The buzz word however is Employee Engagement to increase involvement and productivity. I think I have got the pulse there. And I intend to hold on to it and start working on the internal communication program that we have planned.

External communication is something that we are working on and will get to a more robust plan and strategy shortly. I am enjoying what I do here and it is fun. The company does care for its people and has some of the very important pillars like quality, safety and environment that are so vital for this industry are in place. Watch this space as I progress with the job here and update new initiatives and programs that we do.

Write a story

2009-05-11T23:39:00.000-07:00

“Write a story”
“Uh! Don’t start again”
“I know you can write it, so go now, write a story”
“I am tired. I can’t”
“Write a story sweetie, you have to do it”
“Hmm tomorrow”

And then the tomorrow never comes. I have been having these silent conversations with myself for a long long time and still tomorrow never comes.

I have a story in mind and the characters clearly etched out. I have also thought of the cast if I were to make a movie of this story. But, tomorrow never comes.

I will some day – write this story…

You and Me

2009-05-11T00:27:00.000-07:00

I am not me

You are not you

Isn’t this strange

How can this be true?

Yet we meet again

A different setting

A different tone

Strangers making conversation

We walk the fragile line

A line of indifference

Can it be from you?

It can be from me though

I have not come out unscathed

But I have learnt to heal

Let’s begin anew

Keep the past where it belongs

I am not me

You are not you

Isn’t this strange

How can this be true?

Police officer sentenced to Life

2009-05-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

Today I read news about a police officer being sentenced to life in prison for an action he took 12 years ago. How fair is this? He took a call at that moment, at that time when an angry mob was at rampage.

There are so many terrorists, rapists, murderers, thieves in the country and the court got a police officer who took a call of duty to be given a life sentence. I wonder what kind of a judicial system we have. Did the court order the life sentence to this police officer due to pressure? Because the firing was done against Dalits? We will never know.

I also know of incidences when terrorists are caught in the valley and the so called Human Rights group come and pester the Army to release them on some ridiculous grounds. Are we going to let all these groups/associations run over us? Its only time when the Army will also have to explain why they used their weapons at all. Will we have the police and the army explaining why did they kill a terrorist? I agree that being in the police or Army does not give you the right to kill without reason. But in this case and all cases I know of had reasons. Yet, why are these guys put under the scanner?

Look at what a mockery we are making of ourselves with Ajmal Kasab. We are talking of ‘Fair Trial’ – point taken. Then why are you taking ages to conclude the trial? How much of our hard earned tax money is being used to protect that joker? Finish the trial and execute the guy. Everyone knows what it is – so just get over with it. We have still not executed the Parliament Attacker – Afzal. Why? Where are we? Because some idiots who think they know all about Human Rights, have succeeded in holding off the execution.

And we are here sentencing our honest officers, who protect us and take difficult decisions so that we could live peacefully. Where are the Human Rights idiots in this case? Will they not make enough money or news or whatever they are after if they support an officer.

Somewhere, everyone knows what an angry mob is capable of doing. I am sure that the decision of firing at the mob was the last resort that the officer had to take to stop them. This is unfair, this is an honest officer that we have, and what does our judiciary give him? Life Sentence for serving the country.

The Leap

2009-05-07T02:34:00.000-07:00

The wind just gushed past me
Bellowing “here comes the leap”

I have to take this leap
I have to jump

Jump to a new beginning
Leap towards the rising sun

My heart breaks
It breaks at what I am leaving behind
It breaks when I close my eyes
Hushed is this explosion

But I know I need to jump
I know I have to leap

Can we ever have enough?

2009-05-06T23:22:00.000-07:00

In today's time, are our needs exceeding our means?

I have been seeing it around. Sometimes even I want to buy or do things that I might not want or do when I am in the right mind. Some 6 years back when I earned 100 Rs. I was happy and never felt that there are things I might want and can not have. Today I earn 400 Rs. and can afford things that I couldn't even think of earlier yet I feel I can not have it all...

Is it the so called "Mall Culture" or is it that I have become greedy and brainless... There are so many things... right from clothes to shoes to jewellery to cars to home appliances to God! there is so much.

I work hard, very hard and yet can we ever have enough? Can we ever have it all? Ummmm...

Forgive me Lord... Cause I have sinned...!

India Decides? They do not get the opportunity

2009-04-28T23:26:00.000-07:00

No doubt that the country is going to the dogs because most of the educated working class people have no leave tomorrow (I have an half day off, thank god!), for these guys to vote. Shouldn't it be compulsory for these guys to give at least half day off for voting???? One of my friend's company made them sign a declaration that they are coming to work on their own free will and are not forced. Disgusting!!!!

These companies and MNCs that are earning millions from our country, do not even give a moment to think that these elections are vital for the country...

The poor and uneducated class would vote for anyone who gives them food that day or shows them false dreams. What are we building this country on??? Even if someone wants to vote they can't because the employer thinks it is not important. What kind of Social Responsibility are these companies showing?

Where is India heading??? People can not even exercise their right to vote?

We need to do more than this. I have always been in love with my country and I am super patriotic. But surprisingly (for me too) I have been thinking of migrating to another country for a while now. Most of my friends also say the same thing - There is nothing left here, lets move out somewhere else. Someplace where our tax money is put to good use...

My office is five minutes by auto from my house. But the 5 minutes ride is torturous for me because of the roads. The administration just digs the road and the fills them up unevenly. In the next few days they will dig again at another place and then leave the place unattended for days. All you get in Mumbai is uneven dirty roads and dust, traffic. Our infrastructure is failing. We need a strong party to move us ahead. "India - the next biggest economy in the making" all this sounds superficial when you are actually living in this country and experiencing day to day struggles.

People - I urge you, please vote. Please exercise your right. Please vote so that we have a strong government. Please vote so that we have the right administration. You could also select the option of no vote if you think none of the candidates are suitable. But, please go and vote.

I still don't know whether my name is on the election list. But I will go to the booth with the documents. I have already filled the form 5 months back. I hope I can vote this time. Those of you who have the election ID - do not use it only as an identity proof. But use it to vote if you can. For companies who are not giving leaves - please speak with the HR. Or best - call the contesting parties - let them know you want to vote and that the office is not permitting you to vote. I am sure they will take care of you HR and Management...

A Sensitive Artist

2007-11-12T23:55:00.000-08:00

Yes... this is the name chosen by me as this reflects what I am all about... I am an Artist and I am very sensitive. So sensitive that at times I have to think why I react to things the way I react.

I do have outlet of my emotions that reflect in my paintings. Howver, probably a small mischief that I may do to others can not be taken as lightly by myself. Mandy keeps telling me that, yah, I know some day probably I would grow over and above all this... I hope so...