Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Happy Children's Day to the Grown-ups!

"Ye daulat bhi le lo, ye shohrat bhi le lo
Bhale chhin lo mujhse meri jawaani
Magar mujhko lauta do bachpan ka saawan
Wo kaagaz kikashti, wo baarish ka paani...
"

(Take away my wealth and fame
You may even take my youth
But please return the monsoon of my childhood
That paper made boat, and the rain in which I used to play in...)

I am sure this song echoes the feelings of not just me, but many grown-ups. We all longed to grow up fast in our childhood days. We thought at that time that adulthood was real fun. After all, there will be no more school, no more scolding by our parents, no more exams. And most important of all, there will be freedom for us. We'll free to lead our life the way we want, finally. But when we grow up finally, how we miss our childhood. That's the irony of life.

Today the whole country is celebrating Children's Day. My son, who is a student of a reputed English medium school of pre-primary, received a chocolate, one pencil and one eraser as his Children's Day gift from school yesterday. Today he has a holiday on account of the same. Needless to say, he is ecstatic with joy. My mother, who is a school teacher, was preparing her speech on the occasion of Children's Day. All the grown-up parents of little children are availing discounts to celebrate Children's Day. I myself ordered some t-shirts for my son online, which were available at great discounts on the same occasion. These made me wonder about the little child that resides in all of us. This Children's Day, why not pamper the children in us? For a moment, just forget that you are an adult. Think like u often thought a few decades back. Today, do not think twice before getting drenched a little in the rain. Or you may try floating paper-boats in a puddle of water. Pamper your taste-buds little bit and savour some laddu or rosogolla. Treat yourself with a few extra hot panipuris. Read your favourite childhood fairy-tale once more. Turn on the television and watch a cartoon show you loved once. What was it? Mickey mouse or Tom & Jerry? Forget those drab formal dresses and wear a colourful dress to office today. Let the child in you live a long life.

Here's wishing HaPpy ChiLDreN's DaY to all the grown-ups! Go back to your childhood once again. Help to make the world a better place for today's children. After all, there's nothing as innocent as childhood.

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Pal Ye Bhi Jaanewala Hai

"Aanewala Pal Jaanwala Hai,
Ho Sake To Iss Mein Zindagi Bitaado
Pal Jo Yeh Jaanewala Hai..."

(The moment that is to arrive, is about to pass by,
If you can, in it, live your life...
This moment, that is about to pass by.)

I often hum this song. Just like now, as I am writing these lines, I am crooning this beautiful song, with it's beautiful lyrics soothing my soul.

It's not just a song for me, it's my philosophy of life. Gulzar Saab has done a great job by intertwining deep philosophy into lyrical words, that's sure to touch a chord somewhere within us.

Our time is limited. Moments come and go. In between these moments, we must seek to live our life. Our precious life.

"Ek Baar Waqt Se Lamha Gira Kahin
Wahan Dastan Milim Lamha Kahin Nahin
Thoda Sa Hasaake, Thoda Sa Rulaake,
Pal Ye Bhi Jaanewala Hai..."

(Once, a moment fell from the grasp of time somewhere
There I found this legend, The moment was nowhere,
Making you laugh a little, Making you cry a little
This moment is also about to pass by...)

Surely, we have our own moments of joy as well as moments of sorrow. But none is permanent. Some moments make us smile, some make us cry. Ultimately, they all pass by. Whenever I remember this philosophy, it makes me sober in times of ecstatic joy. Likewise, in moments of extreme despair, it comforts me, for after all, we all know that 'Pal Ye Bhi Jaanewala Hai.' That's the beauty of life, where nothing persists. Impermanence is the law of life.

This philosophy is rooted in our very own Indian culture. In the Mahabharata also, this same philosophy has been preached.

"Aivam aitad anaadya antam bhootasamhaara kaarakam
Anaadi nidhanam loke chakram sam parivartate..."

(And in this way the wheel of Time causes destruction of everything, without beginning or end.)

It is the Big Bang of the Hindu cosmology. The central theme of the Mahabharata is this very dual nature of existence: one reality which the human mind inhabits with itself at the core and the universe revolving around it, the other governed by the relentless passage of time to which all of creation- both animate and inanimate- must ultimately succumb.

Without going into the intricacies of the deeper philosophy, this song preaches to live life in it's moments, to live a full life, to savour all the tastes that life has to offer. And that is the beauty of it's lyrics. When in despair, just remember that 'Pal Ye Bhi Jaanewala Hai'. That may not help to subside your pain, but that will at least give you enough strength to sail through your tough times more smoothly.

Have you heard this song? If not, do give it a try. It's worth your time and effort. 

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend,
Favourite Song Lyrics - WOW
an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.’

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