Woh Humsafar Tha

Woh Humsafar Tha (He was my companion)

So this is not a senti post but about some fabulous Pakistani shows and ghazals (songs) I have been immersed in recently.

 Let me start off the mood by asking you to listen to this song- again on constant replay for me.

Don't go by the video (- it's from a show I will discuss immediately after) but listen to the voice and the words.

  

The original for this song was by a very famous Pakistani Ghazal singer- Abida Parveen - her version was deeply classical- have included that too. The original version was not romantic but about the separation of the Pakistan and the now Bangladesh

I have included the lyrics for the TV show version- they are just so poignant.  Finding translations on the web, I have edited them to reflect the meaning and sentiment behind it rather than a literal grammatical translation as in that the beauty of the song gets lost  most times

These are times when I really really wish I knew Urdu. It is probably the most beautiful and lyrical and poetic language ever. The manners implicit - or the Urdu word "tehzeb" it so attractive.

The song from the show

 

Abida Parveen's version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfDEtYP8WhY

 WOH HUMSAFAR THA- LYRICS

Tarq-e-taaluqaat pe...

At our parting of ways,
Roya na tu, na main

Neither you cried nor I,
Lekin yeh kya ke chain se soya na tu, na main

But then, what's this that neither you nor I slept peacefully

Woh humsafar tha.... 

He was my companion (fellow traveler)…..

Woh humsafar tha....

He was my companion …

Woh humsafar thaa magar us sey humnawai na thi…

He was my companion but with him I didn’t have like mindedness (harmony)

Woh humsafar thaa magar us sey humnawai na thi…

He was my companion but with him I didn’t have like mindedness (harmony)

Kay dhoop chaaon ka…..

With  the (hot) sunshine and shade

Kay dhoop chaaon ka aalam raha

With  the (hot) sunshine and shade was world was filled

 Judai na thi…

There was no separation

Woh humsafar tha....

He was my companion …

Woh humsafar tha....

He was my companion …

Adaavatein theen..Taghaaful thaa,  Ranjishein theen Magar..

There was animosity, Indifference and anguish but,

Adaavatein theen..Taghaaful thaa,  Ranjishein theen Magar..

There was animosity, Indifference and anguish but,

Bicharne walay main sab kuch thaa

The one who I was parted with had everything (but)

Bewafai na thi…

He didn't have unfaithfullness

Bicharne walay main sab kuch thaa

The one who I was parted with had everything (but)

Bewafai na thi…

He didn't have unfaithfullness

Kay dhoop chaaon ka…..

With  the (hot) sunshine and shade

Kay dhoop chaaon ka aalam raha

With  the (hot) sunshine and shade was world was filled

 Judai na thi…

There was no separation

Woh humsafar tha....

He was my companion …

Woh humsafar tha....

He was my companion …

Kaajal daaro

Put kohl

kurkura surma Saha na jaaye

The graininess of the kohl is tough to bear
Jin Nain mein pee bassay

In the eyes that hold my beloved
Dooja kon samaaye

Who else can be beheld

Bicharte waqt un ankhon mein thi hamari ghazal

At the time of parting his eyes had my song
Bicharte waqt un ankhon mein thi hamari ghazal

At the time of parting his eyes had my song
Ghazal bhi wo jo kisi ko kabhi sunai na thi

And it was the song that I had never sung aloud
Ghazal bhi wo jo kisi ko kabhi sunai na thi

And it was the song that I had never sung aloud

Kay dhoop chaaon ka…..

With  the (hot) sunshine and shade

Kay dhoop chaaon ka aalam raha

With  the (hot) sunshine and shade was world was filled

 Judai na thi…

There was no separation

Woh humsafar tha....

He was my companion …

Woh humsafar tha....

He was my companion …

I think a truly interesting read, watch about a love story is when there is pining- and unrequited love- due to internal or external forces

Though of course that is probably not what one wants in real life. I think is it the thought of what could have been. If you see any really famous love story- always tragic. I think when something ends happily- it's not as interesting or memorable and frankly doesn’t excite one's emotions

I got familiar with this song from the Show "Humsafar" which is a Pakistani TV series. Quite heavy but still interesting. The story is basically about protagonists who are forced into an arranged marriage and how they deal with it. Lots of plotting twists and turns and plotting. 6.5/10

Now Pakistani TV shows are a beast of a different nature altogether from both US shows and Indian shows.

They are unlike soaps but normally based on thoughtful novels and don’t get dragged on and on and on.

The story line is all there before the show starts so the character definitions and pace all reflect that. They normally have a certain number of episodes planned and they stick to that.

Also- they normally are not inane. Sometimes a bit too heavy but the characters are rich and not uni-dimensional but with many facets.

If you know Hindi/ Urdu- I would encourage you to try it- the first 2-3 episodes are really quite heavy but it's get pretty good.

So after watching this show I googled everything about it and was surprised to find that the lead, Fawad Afzal Khan was actually part of the one Pakistani movie I have seen- which again was fabulous- " Khuda Kay Liye". The story is about the lives, choices and experiences of two brothers who grow up in Pakistan in a liberal, musical family; but they make very different life decisions. 8/10

Now - in India and in the US I think we have this view of Pakistan as a very radically Islamic country and while that may be true for some of the populace I don’t think it's true for a lot of the country. They are what we think of as normal rational people who think like we do.

The movie was nominated for a bunch of awards- if you can get a subtitled version- it's there on Netflix but not for streaming. I have to say- I DID not like the absolute ending- but will not make it s spoiler- one of my pet peeves is when someone gives away the plot of a story.

( a slight digression but I have to include a poem about this- one of my favorite poems)

At the Theatre: To the Lady Behind Me - by A P Herbert

Dear Madam, you have seen this play;
I never saw it till today.

You know the details of the plot,
But, let me tell you, I do not.

The author seeks to keep from me
The murderer's identity,
And you are not a friend of his
If you keep shouting who it is.

The actors in their funny way
Have several funny things to say,
But they do not amuse me more
If you have said them just before;

The merit of the drama lies,
I understand, in some surprise;
But the surprise must now be small
Since you have just foretold it all.

The lady you have brought with you
Is, I infer, a half-wit too,
But I can understand the piece
Without assistance from your niece.

In short, foul woman, it would suit
Me just as well if you were mute;
In fact, to make my meaning plain,
I trust you will not speak again.

And—-may I add one human touch?—-
Don't breathe upon my neck so much.

I have included this really nice song from the movie.  Have a listen

Bandya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU2xnJF3rBY 

So this guy, Fawad, is currently quite the heartthrob in Pakistan and one can see why.

What's interesting- is that he is good looking and attractive but then suddenly will be really creepy!!! Though I do think he is one of the better actors I have seen in a while

So while googling him and his shows I came across one ( and of course watched 17 episodes in 2 days) which I LOVE!!!!!!

Zindagi Gulzar Hai-( Life is garden of Flowers.)

This is an ongoing show and it is really really good

It has it all- romance, interesting characters, women's lib, cinderella-ish story, growth in people. Its about a guy and girl (Duh- obviously) The Guy is from a liberated upper class family. He has all the luxuries but questions the lifestyle around him. The girl is from a lower middle family who has to struggle for the basic necessities in life but she is very very strong willed. 8/10- so far!!! 

What's also interesting for me is that I seriously disagree with a lot of the themes- messages in the movie- which are called and are actually quite chauvinistic and too traditional, but it's still interesting to watch. It's like reading about something you would not want for yourself but interesting to watch.

The lead actress, Sanam Saeed, is an unusual choice. Very good- plays a traditional girl form a poor background and does a very good job of it. You would never guess she grew up in London!!

Also- the clothes you see the upper class wearing in the show- they are not what I thought people in Pakistan wore- shows my tendency to stereo type!!

Here's the title song from it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9IjaHzL8DY

 While writing this blog I discovered this song was sung by one of my favorite singers Ali Zafar. More about him later

It's interesting- Till I started writing this blog- I never realized how much culture crossed over from Pakistan for me- I always thought it was more of a one way transfer with Bollywood influences on Pakistan. I guess we were one country and if, like me, you don't have any biases for people because of their religion- you really gain a lot!

I mean when I have met Pakitstanis, it has felt no different from meeting an Indian but unfortunately its still different when I think of the Pakistan as a country vs India as a country

So enjoy!

And do give feedback- comments, emails. When I didn't write for a while a few of you commented- I love writing but it’s really encouraging to hear from readers!

après-ski

So I went for my first ski weekend ever and despite all the scariness it was fabulous.

Skiing is something I didn't grow up around what with being in the warm climes of India but was something totally  glamorous! Snow ( which itself had been a big deal), mountains, the goggles and zipping down on two parallel lines with two poles but still in control- always exciting.

Well- my exposure to skiing was from ….. what else- movies!!

One of the first movies I saw with skiing was actually a mystery with skiing as a very small part of it- called Spellbound by Alfred Hitchcock with a super cute Gregory Peck in it.

It had a scene that was imprinted in my 12 year old brain. At dinner a woman is flirting with a man and she draws something on the table cloth with her fork and the sight of those lines causes the guy to break down!

Of course- the skiing finale of the movie was fabulously dangerous, though at times one felt they had shot some of it in a studio!

I would rate this movie a 7.5/10 but only if you like classics.

So Gregory Peck was an amazing actor but more on him later- too many of his movies are too good not to rave about.

Another phenomenal classic with glamour and skiing was How to Marry a Millionaire.

This is a movie that I must have watched at least 5 times! A very young Marilyn also graces it. It's about 3 models who want to not only get by but marry millionaires using their looks and strategy. Now being obviously materialistic is very in now-a-days but it wasn't when this movie was made.

I would rate it a 7/10- again if you like classics.

And lastly I would like to talk about Bollywood and skiing. Surprisingly there was a time when there were many many movies with skiing in it- normally supposedly in Kashmir. What was funny was the actual skiers were so obviously stunt doubles.

One of the most memorable ones was in Namakhalal This is one of the best movies of the Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan. The story is typical of that time- a rich family with loyal retainers and lots of sacrifice and misunderstandings but very very funny!!!

One of the protagonist ( a very young and very good looking Shashi Kapoor) who is supposed to be a debonair playboy- is introduced with an attempt on his life while skiing !

This movie has fabulous songs but what sets it apart is the comedy. It was is and probably will always be extremely funny- the roll on the floor types

I would rate this movie a 8/10. Most Indians of my generation who watch/watched Hindi movies can quote at least a few line from this movie- most have watched it a few times.

Coming back to skiing- it is something I had tried vaguely a couple of times and all one heard of was how badly you can get injured (and I have family who did get injured) especially if you start as an adult but it was exhilarating!

I love it when people try things as adults - shows adventure has not died. I of course keep trying anything new that comes my way!

In my skiing trip- there were 7 of us taking the beginners class and all of us loved it!

So here's to enjoying the ride on life's slippery slopes!

Fire in your belly

Can anyone recognize the quote? The precise words are " You've got a real fire in your belly…."

Well- this quote is from one of my all time favorite movies " Working Girl " with Melanie Griffith and Harrison ford.

WHAT A MOVIE!!!!

Everything about the movie is great especially the song- here it is. Such an uplifting number- makes you feel you can take on the world

  

Let The River Run - Carly Simon : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj5TXxmNDaU

Which is exactly what Melanie Griffith does in this. This movie has it all- the Cinderella story ( though she does it by her brains not looks), ) the 80's hair, breaking out of the niche the world puts you in and of course - the hunk ( hello!!- a young Harrison ford!!!!)

How many of us have that Fire in the Belly?

It's something everyone would like to believe they have but how many actually do? The feeling that you have to have to do something- whatever that thing is.

I do know a few people like that.

What I find interesting is the old cliché about the First generation making it big, second making it bigger and the third dissipating it- I think it really is quite true.  Though now-a-days the rich parents- whatever generation they are very often set up trusts etc so the kids have a tough time screwing it up despite some trying very hard.

I think the people with the fire in the belly are the first generation and their children haven't had it so easy so they turn out 'honehar' or respectable.

But by the time the third generation comes along- their life has been so easy even if they have the capability they very often don't have that fire- things come much too easily to them

I think people who have had a cushy easy life- very often don’t have that fire in belly- would you agree?

But when we work hard and earn- we want a better life for us and also for our children. But in giving them too good a life - are quenching that fire, are we really doing the right thing by them?

After having said this I think now-a-days there quite a few Third generation people who do have ambition but that is also because the world view has shifted. For a long time the wealthy were not supposed to be men of commerce but men of leisure who patronized the arts. While today- the more high powered you are, in finance or entrepreneurship, or other fields- the cooler you are.

I also wanted to talk a bit about Melanie Griffith. What a life. She is  Tippi Hedren daughter- who must have been one of the worst mom's in the world- I mean Melanie Griffith MOVED in with Don Johnson who was 22 and twice divorced her when she was 14!!!!!! Then she moved out again- moved in again. They basically broke up, made up, got married, got divorced multiple times.

Where was her childhood?

Also a lot of her movies especially before Working Girl were very sexy- even when she was 17- I think something like that can screw up a child- it certainly did her- she has been addicted multiple times to various substances.

What  is strangely romantic is that she and  Antonio Banderas did a movie together -  Two Much. - fell wildly in love/lust, divorced their respective spouses and have been happily married since then.

I will write about Mr. Banderas another time- he deserves a blog to himself!

Two other movies of Melanie Griffith I like are

Shining Through with Michael Douglas which is as WW2 Nazi infiltration movie- a favorite genre for me

Milk Money - a kids movie about, of all things- a prostitute (who reforms)

Comment comment comment

Till later- adieu!

Love 'em or hate 'em

So back to the show yesterday.

Strings were playing in Boston for the second time. Their journey is quite remarkable- they had started the group with four college friends when they were about 17-18. They had moderate success but after 4 years  decided to disband (literally J) to concentrate on studies and careers at about the age of 22.

What was interesting was their video (Sar Kiye Yeh Pahar ) went viral ( as much as it could without internet) in Asia- thanks to Cable just after they disbanded but they didn't know about it- in fact did not find out till much much later after they had regrouped.

Two of the Band members Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood (who were actually doing very well professionally) could not get music out of their heads and despite having families and kids- QUIT their job at 29 and started the band again.

Again luck favored them- they made the video for a single Duur just as Pakistan government shut their doors to all foreign shows and then as the TV stations were scrambling for programming their video was aired frequently. The band became a success - and that is great as their music and show were quite good and they have been making music for last 24 years!!!

This happens to yet again be a story of following your dream and becoming a success.- A cautionary warning here- for each person who makes it- there are many who don't- we just don't hear of them. A bit like murderers. It's probably not true that they all make mistakes- it's just that the ones who are caught are the ones who made mistakes!!

The show was also interesting in that it was attended by mostly Pakistanis.

India's relation with Pakistan is so complicated. It's like when you fight with someone who you are closest to. 

You know everything about each other and instead of using it to help each other- you use it against each other- the worst fights. War of the roses ( the movie- not the actually war!!) is an example.

As an Indian when I think of Pakistan and the state sponsored terrorism against India and the fighting over Kashmir and POK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) it makes me feel very angry to put it mildly.

But if I meet a person from Pakistan - there is nothing that makes them seem any different from someone from India- same looks, same, speech, similar upbringing. It's all very confusing.

But one thing in Movies and real life creates furor. An Indian and Pakistani falling in love and marrying.

A Movie (which did very well) was VEER- ZAARA- about this topic. 

But more recently in real Life- The famous Indian Tennis player Sania Mirza and the Pakistani Cricketer Shoaib Malik. A lot of ruckus in both countries and now they live in Dubai.

This is the same concept as falling for somebody in an enemy camp- and what better example than from the Bard himself- "Romeo & Juliet"

Needs no introduction. So many movies, based on this- some of them phenomenal like West Side Story.

Will leave you from a couple of songs from it

These are the two songs I have included because

1. Jet:  I auditioned for a school west side story on this song

2. America- this is the embodiment of the immigrant dream- which has created America as we know it!!!

Jet Song: 

America song:

 Hope you enjoyed. Please leave a comment if you did. Later!

Neighborly relations

I did end up going to Strings concert with my super cool friend- who came with me despite being an American who doesn't know Hindi/Urdu!!!

It was a good and interesting experience and I have many many thought about India- Pakistan ( Strings is a Pakistani group- but will save for the morn.

Kissing a Fool

Well -not literally J!! Sorry to disappoint!

This actually refers to one of my favorite romantic songs- though when you think of it- it is more melancholy, than romantic so maybe we should call it favorite "slow" songs- as in " it's a slow number- for slow dancing!!!"

In the eighties  Wham!  was one of the favorites groups with" wake me up" and "Last Christmas"- both of which I still love. BTW- Last Christmas was the George Michael's first single even though it was part of a Wham album.

Enjoy!

Then - I guess George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley broke up. But I think George Michael's music became better.

His first album Faith (1987) had 6 single releases with 'Faith' and 'Father Figure' as the most popular followed by 'I want your sex' ( I remember being so scandalized at the lyrics- but then I was a pre-teen!!). 

This is live performance of Faith- most of his solo videos aren't easily available on youtube

This is link (that will only work on a computer) for the original video of Faith- it's very good

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu3VTngm1F0

BUT the hidden gem of this album is "Kissing a fool" . It is ballad with no electrics- an empty bar with a band practicing- 3 in the group. The song was apparently about George's insecurities as a soul mate and partner because of the baggage and reputation. According to George Michael the vocals were recorded acappella in one take. ( this Para is mostly quoted from Wiki)

Actually the working title for the album had been "Kissing a fool" which I hope means that George Michael thought it was the best track in it too!

I remember I first noticed this song when it came on Mtv. The visual is stunning in it's simplicity. It has George Michael in a white button down shirt and black pants sitting on a bar stool playing the guitar- singing his heart out- and frankly he doesn't look like he is acting.

Do take a look- again- couldn't find a good video- they also keep removing the links- so just google the video . These sare some links- Can't seem to embed them!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1zzk5_george-michael-kissing-a-fool_music

http://www.guavaleaf.com/video/3822/George-Michael--Kissing-A-Fool#sthash.fsEkDqYF.dpbs

Lyrics

You are far,
When I could have been your star,
You listened to people,
Who scared you to death and from my heart,
Strange that you were strong enough,
To even make a start,
But you'll never find
Peace of mind,
Till you listen to your heart

People,
You can never change the way they feel,
Better let them do just what they will,
For they will,
If you let them,
Steal your heart from you,
People,
Will always make a lover feel a fool,
But you knew I loved you,
We could have shown them all,
We should have seen love through

Fooled me with the tears in your eyes,
Covered me with kisses and lies,
So goodbye,
But please don't take my heart

You are far,
I'm never gonna be your star,
I'll pick up the pieces
And mend my heart,
Maybe I'll be strong enough,
I don't know where to start,
But I'll never find
Peace of mind,
While I listen to my heart

People,
You can never change the way they feel,
Better let them do just what they will,
For they will,
If you let them,
Steal your heart

And people,
Will always make a lover feel a fool,
But you knew I loved you,
We could have shown them all

But remember this,
Every other kiss,
That you ever give
Long as we both live
When you need the hand of another man,
One you really can surrender with,
I will wait for you,
Like I always do,
There's something there,
That can't compare with any other

You are far,
When I could have been your star,
You listened to people,
Who scared you to death and from my heart,
Strange that I was wrong enough,
To think you'd love me too.
I guess you were kissing a fool,
You must have been kissing a fool

George Michael is so talented, famous and good looking. Yet he has had a life fraught with issues - mostly stemming from his sexuality. He was born is an era when people weren't open about being gay. But for him it was apparently more about keeping it from his mom than anyone else. His siblings knew, but they too felt she shouldn’t know.

Now what kind of mom is that- who would love a child so conditionally or is it their relation?

So should one be able to be open about who one is even if it is unacceptable to society?  Or should you respect the  norms of Society? No clear answer- or rather I think this is a very individual decision.

Also AIDS was sort of "discovered" around then- and he had a scare when a committed partner of his realized 6 months into the relation that he had AIDS. The partner also soon died from complications related to it.

But I think he has become much more comfortable about who he is and frankly I think we should also try to be comfortable with who we are and embrace it (unless of course you are a serial killer or something else horrible- please suppress it in that case J)

The Dirty Life

I read this book recently- quite interesting.  The Dirty Life by Kristin Kimball

Quite the modern cross between Laura Ingalls Wilder and Julia Child.

Basically memoirs of this NY journalist who met and fell for and went with an organic farmer to build a self sustaining farm in Upstate New York that would grow all the foods in a person's diet from Meats, to vegetables to grain etc.

Like Laura Ingalls Wilder - conquering sort of uncharted territory and building and planting from scratch in tough  circumstances. Like Julia Child in a lot of cooking using all parts of many animals! Not an easy read for the vegetarian of faint heart. Surprisingly, given how vegetarian I am, I didn't have an issue with reading it!

What was interesting to me was- and it obviously happens in real life too- giving up everything one is to be with someone else of a TOTALLY different lifestyle and actually way of thinking too. I mean hating the use of electricity? Hello?

Is this prompted by dissatisfaction with life or insecurity or is it simply an adventure? Maybe a bit of it all- and frankly in today's world even if you marry someone- very often it's not a permanent choice- there are options if needed

I would give this book a 7.5 / 10. I really enjoyed it but I wouldn’t live this life for a day

So Laura Ingalls Wilder was a kid in a pioneer family that conquered the great West.

Her books- the Little House series-  are phenomenal. For all ages. Plan to start with my kids soon- but as recently as 4 years ago I had a squabble with two other adults ( sort of, sisters- so we revert) because we all wanted to the same book at the same time J Would rate a 9/10

Also Julia Child- What a woman. Have read her last Biography/ Auto biography ( published posthumously) - Appetite for Life (rate it 6.5/10) but not her cook books. Have an idea about them from the book Julie and Julia (6/10)- (which I bought by mistake thinking it was  Chicklit). After all the pounding, crushing, cracking, boiling etc done to various members we study under zoology- I decided to give the cookbooks a pass!! Julia Child was  a spy for the CIA too.

I think the biggest take away from reading about her is that she is one person who exemplifies- it's never too late. She met her husband at the age of around 40 and started cooking only at around the age of 45!!

My call to action- Carpe Diem - Seize the day and do something you have been wanting to without thinking it's too late or you are too old!!!!!

I did today- will hopefully be able to write about it in a month's time!!!!