Naya saal... (2010)

Duniya ke itihaas mein ek aur kadi jud jayegi,
Insaan nahi badlega aur tareeq badal jayegi…

Yahaan koi aashiq thaam lega paimaane ko,
Wahaan fir kisi sitamgar ki doli guzar jayegi…

Waqt hota to karte bhi shikayat tumse,
Lagta hai ye gila bhi chita ke saath jal jayegi…

Khuda ne teri kudrat hi aisi banayi hai,
Dhuaa wahan uthega teri hasti jidhar jayegi…

Dard hi to apna hai isse bhulaana kyun hai,
Yaad phoolon ki tarah rakhoge to zindagi mehak jayegi…

Talaash

Raah khud hi chun leti hai musafir apna…
Yuhi taa-umra raah par koi khada nahi hota

Bewafai de jaati hai muflisi aur tanhai
Ashiq jalta rehta hai par dhuaan nahi hota

Yadein bhi ban jaati hain khud saaki…
Maikade mein koi kabhi tanha nahi hota.

Zamaane mein hi mil jaati hai khudayi
Khuda ho kar bhi jab khuda nahi hota

Yaari hoti hai zamaane se juda yaroon
Wo door ho kar bhi juda nahi hota

Jo Dairo haram me aur maikade me hai ujjwal
Bashar taaumra khojta hai usse pata nahi hota

Dua mile... (2013)

Kya wo duniya ho jo suron ko saaz mile,
mehfil-e-awaaz-e-dil ho aur galon ko naaz mile…
Khud hi ki zid se kar liya hai khud ko dafan
Kabhi to aapki nazar ho aur hum ko saans mile

Ek wo jinse milke lagta hai ek aur baar mile
Aur ek wo jo roz milta hai mile na mile
Kabhi to besabab utthe dua mein haath                     besabab=without reason
Unhone khwaab bhi dekhe to unke hisaab mile

Bade hi josh se baitha hun aaj ibaadat mein
Mujhe to tu na mil saka tujhe to duaa mile
Bhatakte nahi kabhi mayeqada dhoondne wale          mayeqada=bar
Jinhe khuda ki ho talash unhe to khuda mile

Kya ho gar furqat ke sataaye ko ahbaab mile              ahbaab=friends
Jeene ka bhoole jo maqsad unhe asbaab mile              asbaab=reasons
Dil mile ya mere ashaar se kisi ko qaraar mile
Kisi sataaye huye ushaaq ko uska sawaab mile

Muntazir ki dua (2011)

Mere maula muntazir ko thoda qaraar bhi de,
Khushk gulistaan mein kabhi bahaar bhi de…

Khwaishein panapti rehti hai musalsal zehen mein
Agar aarzoo deta hai tu to deedaar bhi de
Mere maula muntazir ko thoda qaraar bhi de…


Har sheh pe jal uthata hai aashiyaan ghareeb ka,
Kabhi rehmat nazar kar inpe aur dulaar bhi de…
Mere maula muntazir ko thoda qaraar bhi de…

Zindagi bhar ka ranj-o-fugaan de gaya qaatil
Khushfehmi hi sahi Koi mauka khushgawaar bhi de
Mere maula muntazir ko thoda qaraar bhi de…


Baadakashon ko sataane lagi fikr-e-zindagi-o-dehshat
Soone maikhanon mein kuchh bada-khwaar bhi de…
Mere maula muntazir ko thoda qaraar bhi de…


Thaki thaki si lad rahi hai lau meri toofaan se,
Javidaan noor de ujjwal aur iftikaar bhi de…
Mere maula muntazir ko thoda qaraar bhi de…

Tab nahi socha tha (2011)

Jab tum thhe tab nahi socha tha
Lagta tha zindagi padee hai
Par ab lagta hai wahi ek mauka tha
Aaj maut deewar ban ke khadi hai

Kuchh baatein samjhaani thi
Tumhari galtiyaan bataani thi
Aur wo ladai jo adhuri reh gayi thi
Mera vaar baaki tha wo niptaani thi

Tab nahi socha tha par ab yaad aata hai
Maafi bhi maangni thi, gale lagaana tha
Tumahara janamdin jo ab bhi har saal aata hai
Kasam li thi ek saal pahaad pe manaana tha

Jab deewar par dekhta hun tasweer tumhaari
Aage jeevan bemaani sa lagta hai
Bheetar kahiin to jagah thi tumhaari
Seene mein ab khaali khaali sa lagta hai

--

On the untimely demise of a friend

Games of Cupid (2012)

You can hurt someone real bad
And still touch their heart

You wonder why those you loved
Are close yet so far apart

Some relationships get confused
You can’t tell when you are in and out

Every soul follows the same line
For there is no other route

Reasoning can win you a battle
It still can’t stop this rattle

Because logics don’t work for a pair
And those games of cupid are seldom fair…

Meri Shareek-e-hayaat....

Teri aankhon se hai raat ki syaahi
Tere rang se hain ujaale din ke ...

Tere hone se hai ye ghar ki Ruanak
Warna need hai jisme hazaron tinke

Teri hasee se hai haseen raatein meri
Meine dekhe the kabhi khwaab jin ke

Zindagi ki dhoop jagaati hai jo pyaas
Poori ho jaati hai teri awaaz sun ke

Meri mohabbat ka kuchh hisaab na maang
Kabhi dekh lena raat mein tare gin ke...

Azmaa ke dekhna...

Yun akele chalne se to milti nahi manzil,
Kabhi dil kare to haath badha ke dekhna...

Shayad khada ho koi dil le ke raah mein,
Tum manzil se nazar hataa ke dekhna...

Anjaan raston se hi to maza hai safar ka,
Apni kismet ko kabhi aazma ke dekhna...

Dil lag jaaye to dil lagaa ke dekhna
Ishq ho jaaye to ishq jataa ke dekhna

Rakhe hain taa-umra phoonk phoonk ke qadam,
Kabhi bekhudi ka lutfa utha ke dekhna

Move on...

When love isn't making you feel splendid
When emotions are all flowing down the rapid
When you ask yourself what's going on

Perhaps it's time to move on...

When you can find no reason to talk,
When it soothes to go alone for a walk,
When you find the smiles are gone,
Perhaps it's time to move on...

When you've tried your every bit,
When talks have gone beyond your wit,
When you find it hard to go on,
Perhaps it's time to move on...

What will you do to those sweet days?
The evenings spent and night stays,
Just for the sake of days bygone,
Yes! it's time to move on...

Baarish bann kar

Mein rakh aaya tha ek shaam tere darpe jo jhumke,
Latakte the wo tere kaanon mein sifaarish banke

Meine lagaa di thi ek keel uss khirkee ke pass,
Jahaan ataki hai sau baar teri chunni guzaarish banke

Teri hayaa ke aage kitne phoolon ne dam toda hai,
Kitni baar dabe hain teri kitaabon mein khwahish banke

Jab haath thaama tha hamesha ke liye kahaan socha tha,
Unn ki lakeerein aa jaayengi beech mein saazish banke

Ya Mausam bheega hai, Ya aankhon mein nami hai,
Koi laut aaya hai sheher mein baarish banke...

Achchi lage to comment zaroor karein!

Fables with a different end!

So, this is about my interactions with my 3-year-old daughter.

Stories rule the world. The way we learn, think, act and express are all governed heavily by the stories we hear, the stories we believe in and the stories we tell ourselves.

There is a lot of what we imagine that comes from what we see and how we interpret it. We all know and accept that based on our cultural orientation and personality type we have the ability to perceive the same scene in a surprisingly different way. With kids, it is interesting to see some natural orientation in action as well, some things that they are born with. And it’s also interesting to know how quickly they get influenced by the external factors — parent relationships, television, other kids.

Recently, I was telling the tale of the tiger and the mouse. The one in which, towards the end, mouse helps the tiger by cutting the net that tiger falls in to. One of the thoughts I wanted to drive home was of treating all beings with respect and to be honest, not mess with the household Ants she is fond of smashing. Might is right in the wild. But weak have right too —what is culture, if not this.

Sorry for the digression, but here is what happened after I revealed the climax, “The mouse and the tiger become friends and play happily ever after”. Keshavi (my 3 yo daughter) wasn’t satisfied with the end.

She asked, “What happened to the hunter”?

I was puzzled. Still thinking about how to respond to that. She was contemplative, with a frozen stare in the air. Waiting for me to answer.

After a few seconds, I replied “Nothing! the hunter just goes back to the city”.

She was not happy.

She still struggles to form new sentences. Particularly multiple complex ones like in a story. However, almost instantly she cooked up her own version of it and presented in the broken sentences with a very funny use of tenses.

Can’t recall the exact phrases but the essence was that the hunter needs to be punished. So, the Tiger and the mouse gang up to kill the Hunter… bang! bang! bang!

Startled, I resented, “No! Why do you want to kill the hunter.”

I don’t think she replied in a way I could comprehend. “Why?” is anyways the last thing humans learn to ask and answer, unfortunately. But, she was clear that the hunter had to suffer. And she quickly moved on to other distractions in life, the joy of being a kid. While I was stuck wondering where did this come from. It wasn’t difficult to smell the influence of Cartoon Network and Pogo.

All stories repeatedly create a divide between good and bad in our mind, all the time. There are very few that fall in the greys. Very few that don’t end, or end abruptly. Very few that you wish weren’t. I feel those are very important stories to be told. I want to find and tell more such stories and keep it real for her. Imagining alternative ends is a great exercise.

Umeed-o-Yaas (2011)

Aisa na ho chaak ye seene se bhi gehra nikale,

Jise ret ka sahil samjha wo sehra nikle...

Ya hum rahein apne hi ishq ki lau ke kayal
Aur wahan unns ki kehkashaan nikale...

Kisko maalum hai maraasim mera tumhara
Aarzi ulfat nikle ya chahat ki dastaan nikale...

Yun lagaa li hai kaleje se ye pechidaa uljhan
Kab deed-o-guftaar ho to koi raasta nikle...

At the crossroads... (2009)

Life is again at the crossroads,

I'm halfway from the safe abode, 

Swinging between hope and despair,

No one to notice no one to care,

When I started to tread, I was supreme,

Don't know when my sword lost its gleam,

Angels vanished, friends disappeared,

All that's happening, I couldn't have feared,

I dared, I gave in, I fought, I prayed,

I won, I lost but storms stayed 

Coz storms never cease to tease

The new sailors, at the old seas

But, it is kinda difficult to fight

When you are led by lightening not light

A flash here, a flash there,

This battle of love just leads nowhere,

The story revolves round the basic plot,

She loves me, She loves me not,

I am lost and alone but that's fine,

I know I ll find a silver line...

Do leave a line for the poet if you like it.

Puraane Chiraag

Ye kisne puraane chirag roshan kiye

Deewar pe fir kuchh saaye nazar aate hain

Maazi ki kitaab mein dabe sookhe gulaab
Chaand ki roshni mein surkh nazar aate hain

Kuchh yaadein mehka jaati hain zehen ko
Kuchh kirdaar tasweer se nikal aate hain

Nazar Nazar se kar leti thi dil ki baatein
Aariz-o-lab yuhiin guzarish mein nikhar aate hain

Jab se band kiya hai sitaron ko takna
Aaj bhi jugnu ban ke din mein nikal aate hain

Mere chashm ko hai teri talab itni…
Ashq khud hi teri talaash mein nikal aate hain

Chhoot jaate hain humsafar kuchh peechhe …
Fir zindagi mein kabhi wo aage nazar aate hain…

Agar achhi lage to comment zaroor karein!

Baadal ... (2013)

--

rewritten

Judte hain, bichhadte hain, baras jaate hain,
Chalo hum koi baadal bann jaate hain...

Girte hain, sambhalte hain, chhalak jaate hain
Chalo hum maye ka sagar bann jaate hain

Haste hain, rote hain, Tadap jaate hain
Chalo hum koi pagal bann jaate hain

Tapte hain, jhulaste hain, pighal jaate hain
Chalo hum maa ka aanchal bann jaate hain

--

original 

Judte hain bichhadte hain baras jaate hain,
Chalo hum koi badal bann jaate hain…

Raat bhar dekha karein aankhon mein jaam,
Bin piye jhoomein pagal bann jaate hain

Saath mil ke chalein judaa rahon par
Kisi dariya ka saahil bann jaate hain

Ghum ka paimaane se kar lein hisaab
Bazm-e-maye ka saagar bann jaate hain

Muskurahatein sooni hain aankhein hain namm
Chalo hum maa ka aanchal bann jaate hain…

Pal do pal ke rishte ... (2006)

Ae khuda tu apne bando ko sataata kyun hai
Ek pal ke liye hi deni hai khushi to hasaata kyun hai

Jin rishton ka astitva ho nahi sakta
Un rishton ko parvaan chadhaata kyun hai

Jo saathi bichhar jaenge agle mod pe
Saari raah fir unse milaata kyun hai

Kuchh kar nahi sakta to khuda kehlata kyun hai
Aisi hi banani thi duniya to banaata kyun hai

Gar apna sheher hota...

Jaane kab uthega unnke rukh se parda...
Hawaon se karwa dete gar apna sheher hota...

Benoor lag rahi hai har mehfil tere bin...
Hum chaand tangwa dete gar apna sheher hota...

Mayeqade to hain yahan bhi wahan bhi thhe..
Chand log nazar aate gar apna sheher hota

Ghir hi jaate hain sukhan bheed se har sheher mein
Tum tab bhi yaad aate gar apna sheher hota...

Aur bhi hain... (2015)

Mein ye soch kar baitha raha tanhayi mein
Mehfil mein mujhse behtar jawaan aur bhi hain

Sochta tha tumhe chand sitaron tak le chaloon...
Suna hai sitaron ke aage jahan aur bhi hain...

Lagta tha kuchh hi to hain armaan baaqi
Kehte hain yahan hi nahin wahan aur bhi hain...

Ek khat jalaa ke wo karta hai mujhe bhoolne ki koshish...
Meri shayari ke bazaar mein deewaan aur bhi hain...

Ujjwal ek lutee huyi mehfil ka ghum na kar
Chal hajj pe jaane wale kaarwaan aur bhi hain

Driving in Mumbai (2010)

The odometer of my new bike reads seven thousand today. My new Yamaha FZ-16 is ten months old now but I still like to call it new. It’s been for almost six thousand kilometers that I’ve been writing this blog in my mind. So it has six thousand kilometers of thought. At the risk of digressing, I think that’s an innovative measure for thought. And people who travel from Borivali to Churchgate daily, can meter over 60 kilometers of thinking every day. That’s huge. Argghh! anyway, I started this post to rant about the unsaid driving rules in Mumbai. So here they are:

1. There is plenty of space at the left (and top, but bikes are technologically challenged to fly) : No matter how long the queue of buses and cars be at the signal - the bikewalas will always get a free stream at the extreme left. You can also drive on footpaths, but I will not respect you then.

2. Above 60kmph you are leaving everyone behind. The average speed of traffic on the highway is less than sixty. So if you can maintain anything above that you are flying past everyone.

3. If you follow the lane discipline, you’ll be honked.

4. If you respect the signal unnecessarily, you’ll be honked. And ninety percent of the times it is unnecessary to stop at the red signal. Actually Signal doesn’t tell you to GO or STOP (see picture), it’s subjective to the presence of traffic police or traffic itself and is often democratically decided by co-drivers.

5. Even at 12 am on a regular day, you may find a traffic Jam.

6. Honking is fun, time pass, habit and everything but useful - Those who honk have no purpose, and those who walk on the road don’t listen to it anyway. Sometimes I have to turn back and stare at someone to make him realize he is honking unnecessarily. Honking is as involuntary as clicking refresh on windows desktop. You just do that without need or without any thought. (I really miss that on my Mac.) It’s my personal entertainment to stare people to correction. Surprisingly, dippers work too, but isn’t in vogue yet.

7. Never believe a Ricky. If you haven’t read this yet, Ricky is a Rickshaw-wala. Like TV-Ads they popup any time from anywhere. They have no fixed direction and can suddenly take a U-turn right when you are trying to overtake. I detest them. The best day of my driving life was when Mumbai Rickshawalas were on strike. I am purely lucky that I haven’t banged into one yet. There have a lot of close escapes though. At least fifty percent of Mumbai traffic problems are due to them.

8. BEST rules: Never mess with a BEST bus. They rule the roads. If bikes and cars are like ‘aam-aadmi’ (common man NOT mango man) BEST buses are like mighty politicians and rickies are like roadside hooligans. Both break rules in their own way.

People, in general, don’t have any patience. They are involuntarily in a haste, running a race, with everyone else. Is it a part of their struggle for survival? Maybe. But most of the time they can be corrected with a stare - means they are good at heart and they know they are wrong - or maybe I am daunting (fun-intended).

This was meant to be a mean rant. But I guess I am too bad at being mean or ranting. Or maybe I need a few more kilometers of thinking.

Kamm hi hoti hai... (2020)

Labon ki baat hai, keh do, nigahon se mat samjhaao
Dar se laut jaane walon ki khabar kamm hi hoti hai

Baad mein mat poochhna ki phool kahaan rakhne hain
Har roz jalne walon ki Qabr kamm hi hoti hai

Pyaar karne walon ko nahi araam shab-o-roz
Aag pe chalne walon ko sabr kamm hi hoti hai

Aashiq kahan kiya karte hain maut ki bhi izzat...
Baar baar aane walon ki Kadr kamm hi hoti hai...

Kos ke thoda ro lena... (2011)

Aaj fir waada tha milne ka ussi jagah,
Aaj fir wo gulaab zulfon mein piro lena

Aaj fir milne aana chhup chhup ke mujhse
Aaj fir mujhe apni baahon mein dubo lena

Aaj fir chaha tha tumhari shiqayat door karna,
Aaj fir apni chaahat mein tumko bheego lena...

Aaj fir mein bejhijhak tumko dekhta rahun,
Aaj fir tum meri nigaahon mein kho lena...

Aaj fir chalna mere saath sunsaan raaston par
Aaj fir mere kaandhe pe sar rakh ke so lena

Aaj fir socha tha poore karunga kuchh sapne
Aaj fir tumhe khushi ke aansuo mein bhigo dena

Aaj fir mein wada nahi nibha paaya
Aaj fir mujhe kos ke thoda ro lena...

Puchka...

Aaj zindagi yun khaali si naa Hoti 

Wo nazrein agar mila leti uss roz

Kahiin ek pyaas hai, jo ab nahi bujhegi

Apne haathon se puchka khila deti uss roz

Ek toofan zinda hai, andar hi khoya hua  

Wo qatra jo aankhon se baha leti uss roz

Bina iraade kaandhe pe haath rakh diya tha

Kaash wo mera haath hata deti uss roz 

Jaane kaunsa waada usski palko pe tha

Warna wo palkein uthha leti uss roz 

Aaj zindagi yun khaali si naa Hoti 

Wo nazrein agar mila leti uss roz

Kyun ho...(2011)

Nahi sochti wo mere baare mein kabhi
Jo haqeeqat na hua wo khayal bhi kyun ho...

Kyun na choom le do pal maye ke sagar ko
Wo jee na sakaa par halaal bhi kyun ho...

Kyun na dhoond loon mein khushiyaan nayi...
Jo judaa hua usska malaal bhi kyun ho...

Badee zameen thi teri ya mera aasmaa kam tha,
Jo ho gaya uss par sawal bhi kyun ho...

Maiqade ke log...(2013)

Aas pe jeene wale maiqade nahi jaaya karte
Maang kar peene wale maiqade nahi jaaya karte

Usska deed hi kaafi hai madahoshi ke liye
Aankh se peene wale mayqade nahi jaaya karte

Maiqade unnke liye jo zindagi thokar karein
Mar mar ke jeene wale maiqade nahi jaaya karte

Maiqade unnke liye jo ishq mein dhokha paaye
Pyaar ko samajhne wale maiqade nahi jaaya karte

Letters to my younger brother 3.0 (2010)

Hi,

So you are an officer now. We are proud of you. You must have realized by now that professional life is quite different from the life you’ve been living till now. This time I wanted to talk to you about ‘Work’. No matter what work you get or how good you are at it already, there are a few things that you must never forget. First, and this you already believe in, is that we work to live, we don’t live to work. Initially, responsibility and power are both overwhelming. It gets a little scary too sometimes. But, once you get the first task done, you’d get confident about the next. And slowly this regular puff of success becomes quite addictive and we tend to give in to busy-ness. Friends get distant, family becomes an occasion. It’s natural and you will go through this. Just observe and enjoy the transition. Because this too will change.

Secondly, and it’s a lesson. You know I get preachy… can’t help it though. You must have already learnt to tolerate that. It’s about Sincerity. When you take work as an opportunity to create, make a change, learn and develop yourself, your attitude towards it will change for good. It is very important because it makes your work meaningful for the world. Yes, bear that in mind. Whatever small piece you are assigned to do, will change the world, in some or the other way. The quantum of change may be seem insignificantly small. But, it does bring about a change. And you are an agent of change. When you do something with this attitude, it will not only lead to professional excellence, career growth, it ensures miracles.

It ensures miracles because during your work life you will touch upon thousands of lives. Every interaction matters. Your attitude, sincerity and ethic can leave an impact on a lot of them. Here’s how you impart your bit to the culture. People may forget your name, but not the inspiration you instigate in them. There’d be instances where you’ll have to do things that your conscience may not allow. Do not ignore them. You may not stand against it every time, but every time you may not have to give in to it too. You can at least try to avoid working against your conscience. Whenever you are doubt, take a decision that is in larger benefit of society. If society suffers, it comes back to you tenfold. If it benefits, you get the benefits too.

It’s OK to make mistakes, make the boss angry, forget an important task, spill the ink over signed contracts, forget the confidential file in coffee shop, get a poor appraisal or skip promotions. Life is much larger than all that and is way more important. Always keep that at back of your mind.

Cheers and lots of best wishes.
Dada

Longer route to office, anyone? (2009)

Most of us are rut-dwellers. We constantly look for a rut and stick to it. You'd go to a new restaurant order a few dishes based on your experience and gut feel. You'd subconciously make a note of what you liked and what you didn't. After a few visits you'd have your favorites list ready. Next time you take someone along, you'd just dictate your favorites and follow the rut.

We take the same road to office. Go by the same means and around the same time.

We sit at same place, do the same work, behave in the same way and return home.

We read the same blogs, visit same websites.

We go to same shopping store for almost all the mundane shopping.

No wonder when someone asks "Wassup?" we have "Nothing new" as a reply.

How about trying something different? Trying a longer route to office? Forgetting mobile at home? Giving a smile to strangers? It aint easy, but I always find it totally worth the effort. It's a new experience, makes me fresh and smile. And a smile almost always inspires a few more smiles.

It takes gut to move out of rut.

So what's new?

Letters to my younger brother 2.0 (2009)

Hey dude,

Last time I wrote about importance of nourishing your roots. This time it would be around Money. For that's why you are leaving. Money is an awesome thing. As you would have learnt by now, it is also quite important. You should pay it, its due importance, but never overdo it. Also, embed this in mind that if you are working hard for your money, also make your money work hard for you.

Live your dreams. There always has been a desire to buy the best of clothes and gadgets. There will be things that you always wanted to do/buy but could not ask for it. Now you will be able to do it all. You'll have your own money. No one to ask, no one to answer to. Spend! don't stop yourself from spending. Feel like a king.

Save for Future. Before you start spending all the money in living your dreams, take a few measures to save for Future. The world is ever changing and life is uncertain. Clear your debts and save your taxes. Become an early leader in taking care of your Finances and you will leave a lot of your friends behind in material posessions pretty soon. If you save the money that you need to save at the start of the month, you can spend rest of the money without any worry. I can talk on and on about it, but will tell you more when the time comes.

Invest in the World bank. World has given you so much. It's time to repay back. Donate generously to the underprivileged. They need you. Always remember these donations are like an investment. You will get multiple-fold returns when times are low.

May you earn a lot and spend wisely for betterment of yourself and society.

God bless!
Your Dada

Letters to my younger brother 1.0 (2009)

Hey dude!

I know it's not an age where we communicate through personal letters. Phone and chat have left no place for them. But I've grown up writing letters and I know how beautiful it is to write and receive a letter. If you rememeber mom still preserves some letters that papa had written when he toured Russia. I have read them, and they are wonderful. I thought it would be better to write one, instead of just cribbing about missing letters culture. I am not sure when you will read them and how you will perceive them, but I'd still do it, as a part of my duty as your bro. So here it is for you my dear, the lessons from life that I learnt the hard way.

One of them is of course writing letters. As you start a new life with your first job, there would be plenty of things that you leave behind. You will realise them sooner or later. The overcaring mom, the familiarity of city you have grown up in, supportive friend circle among the long list of things that will bring you nostalgia for years. As you go past all these and create your new world always remember to keep in touch with them. A tree cannot live long if it roots are cut. These are your roots. These have nourished you over the years to make up what you are today. Make sure you dont cut them off. Make sure you grow them deeper and stronger. For the highest of trees have deepest of roots, that's only logical (and natural of course). Make sure you write letters. Perhaps not with pen and paper but with your cellphone. Give them a buzz, keep them a part of your little achievements and successes. You will be amazed at the extrordinary support that you'd have thoughout your life. I know it's not as natural for you to communicate with all the relatives. But changing circumstances give you a great chance to change yourself. Leverage that.

I still remember when papa left you at the school on your first day. You were crying, and I was worried, how will you do it. Today again, when you are on the verge of leaving the house, I feel the same. But I am proud that you have come this far and I am sure you will fare well.

Always remember that Mom and I love you and we are always there for you, no matter what. If you ever feel you'r falling, let go. You'll safely land in our hands. And we'd catch you like Jonty Rhodes. And don't be afraid when you go out there. The world is waiting to embrace you with its arms open. So just be sincere, and have fun. That's it fo now, I'd keep writing!

God bless!
Your Dada

Wo jab Milti hai... (2011)

Khushk ankhon mein bheegi huyi chamak chhor jaati hai
Wo jab milti hai mere haathon mein mehek chhor jaati hai

Kyon na dekha karein hum jaag ke chaand ko raat bhar
Wo sawarti hai to chand pe apni jhalak chhor jaati hai

Kabhi bujhaati hai nazar se chashm-e-dil ki pyaas
Kabhi labon pe aag ki si dhadhak chhor jaati hai

Humko maloom hai waqt ka faasla humare beech
Aise bichharti hai ki jaldi milne ki kasak chhod jaati hai

Nahi kehti hai kya hoga agli mulaqaat ka bahaana
Jaate jaate fir jhumke ki latak chhod jaati hai

Bidaaee (2011)

Aaj teri yaadon ko apne maazee se rihaai de di…
Arse se sambhale dard ko seene se judaai de di

Parwanon ko to aag mein bhi husn nazar aata hai
Butparaston ne qatl karne walon ko maseehai de di.  ...Butparast — idol worshipper

Banaane wale ne diya hai sabke liye kuchh na kuchh
Faqt shayaron ke liye tere gusse ko raanaee de di.  ....raanaee — beauty

Chahane walon ko hi to milti hai har baat pe sazaa
Husn walon ko to khuda ne khud begunahee de di

Kis kis se jirah karun mein apne wajood ka
Mere siwa har kisi ko khoob daanaee de di.....             daanaaee — wisdom

Chal banate hain basera kisi saabit jagah par…
Samandar ke sarakte kinaron ko bidaaee de di


(While leaving Mumbai)

Jaago Bharat (2011)

Jis tarah pahaad se nikali ho sarita
Chahe jitni bhi ho raah ki kathintaa
Chhid gaye pahad gal gayi chattanein
Chal gayi pata rodon ko unnki heenta

Chal pade yuva maano aa gaya tufaan ho
Jis tarah samudra mein aa gaya ufaan ho
Jal rahi hai aag jaise samaj ek mashan ho
Har taraf dhuaan jaise jala vartmaan ho

Poori aazadi ka matlab ab humne jaana
Satya ahinsa ki taaqat ko fir pehchana
Apna dum duniya ko fir se ab hai dikhlana
Jaago bhaarat sapno ko hai satya banaana

Mere Saamne... (2013)

Theek se bhigaati bhi nahi aur jalne bhi nahi deti
Zulf ko yun jhatka na karo mere saamne…

Dhadkan thaamti bhi hai aur rukne bhi nahi deti
Parda rafta rafta na karo mere saamne…

Mayekashi chhodi hai par jaam ki izzat bhi hai
Pyaale aankhon ke chhalkaya na karo mere saamne

Ishq bhi hai aur tere aashiqon ka khayal bhi hai
Yun sajde kiya na karo mere saamne

Ghuroor hai to ghuroor kayam rakkho
Beparda khwaab mein aaya na karo mere saamne

Dil tadapta bhi hai aur ye tadapne bhi nahi deti
Aaj mujhko hi qatl karo mere saamne…

Hold On!

There are days and the sun is bright…
And we look for stars on a gloomy night…

It is a huge difference between the two…
But stars are suns much farther than you…

When it is most difficult to cope…
It is more important to hope…

And hold on to a dimming ray…
Because nights are darkest just before the day…

Nahi aati

Saath hain par jazbaat mein wo baat nahi aati,
Roz-o-shab guzarte hain par wo raat nahi aati…

Itna mushkil bhi nahi khuda se betaqalluf rehna,
Jaane kyun har bashar mein wo bisaat nahi aati… *bashar = human

Garche wo sunta hai har mazloom ki fariyaad
Fir kisi ke maang lene se kyun wafaat nahi aati… *wafaat = death

Har kisi ko milti nahi jaaedaad-e-mohabbat,
Faqt jaagir ke mil jaane se ifraat nahi aati… *ifraat = excess

Khud hi taabeer karne padte hain kuchh khwaab,
Har chahat ko poora karne kaayenat nahi aati…

Ab to mere haal pe hasne lage rote bachhe bhi,
Aur wo kehte rahe ujjwal ko khurafaat nahi aati…

Kahiin aur (2011)

Mann nahi lagta mera ab iss shahar mein
Nasheb-e-faraaz mujhe kahiin aur le chal… Nasheb-e-Faraaz = Wheel of fortune, Ups and downs of life

Sukoon-e-gor hai iss aabshaar mein
Dil-e-naaraz mujhe kahiin aur le chal ...Gor = Grave; aabshaar = Waterfall

Kab se talabhgar hun masjid ki qataar mein
Ae fitna-pardaaz mujhe kahiin aur le chal talabhgar = longing ; fitna-pardaaz = mischievous, evil

Apni hi shakl dikhti hai beaab aaino mein
Ae aainasaaz mujhe kahiin aur le chal ...Aainasaaz = Mirror Maker, God

Naseem nahayi na ho jahan usske nakhat mein ...Naseem = fragrant breeze ;
Go Gesoo-daraaz mujhe kahiin aur le chal ...Nakhat = odour ; Gesoo-daraaz = long haired, beloved

Na kaafiri mein josh raha na sukoon taqwaa mein
Ae dast-daraaz mujhe kahiin aur le chal ...taqwaa = fear of god ; dast-daraaz = oppressor

Na jannat ke layak huye na jaenge dozakh mein
Mere banda-nawaaz mujhe kahiin aur le chal… ...dozakh = hell, Banda-nawaaz = Patron, God

Alone, not lonely!

Found it in my notes, wrote probably around june 2010. A day in Hong Kong.

When I am alone, I have the world with me. I just had a chance to travel half way across the globe all by myself. Since, it was my second trip to US, there wasn’t much worry about the procedures. I knew what to take care of and it all went smooth. But last time I was accompanied by a friend. And two is almost always better than one. The thought of being alone is a little scary. I remember my habit of keeping the TV switched on in the other room when I used to be alone in the house. It creates an environment of company. But I never really tried to understand why I need it. It may just be my inertia towards change.

Change, as they say, is the only constant thing in life. And I have seen myself change. Bachelor life away from home gives you a lot of such new instances. And the opportunity to observe your reaction. Also, observe the change in reaction with time. This was yet another such opportunity. I found to have come a long way from what I last remember of me.

I have started differentiating between being alone and being lonely. I have kinda developed an enjoyment in being alone, venturing out on solo expeditions. I no more feel that strong immediate urge to share my feelings and experiences. The top of buildings disappearing in the clouds, the amazing laser-shows, life-sized reconstruction of historic architecture or pre-historic beings do not make me miss my near and dear ones. Is that what being mature is? Or have I grown insensitive? I know that Life kills. But has it partly killed the childish enthusiasm in me, or am I just in phase of discovering a newer world inside and outside. Time will tell.

Anyway, in this new phase of self-discovery, I have been enjoying myself and learning a lot more about people. I realized that a smile is simply the best gesture in any language. You can just smile your way around the world and people will understand it, and most of the time even respond to it. I conversed with people who understood my language more than I understood theirs. And we could still help each other anyway. Walking in a new land is almost like walking in the house of mirrors, you immediately see your own reflections everywhere. What you do is what you get. It’s also the case at homeland, but when everything is set to default, the compiler in the mind ignores such subtle things. Hmmm, Life indeed is a constant teacher.

Ye Sardiyaan... (Dec 2010)

Ye sardiyaan yun sard na hoti
Tum hoti to zindagi zard na hoti                    *zard – pale, yellow

Sookhe patton ki tarah behek jaata hun
Thodi si aanch mein dehek jaata hun

Kabhi milta tumse kabhi judaa hota
Apnaa naam bhi kisi ped par khuda hota

Haste haste jo apni nigaah milti
Meri shayari ko kisi dil mein panaah milti

Teri har nasamjhi pe muskuraana padta
Kabhi apni baaton ka matlab samjhaana padta

Rang hote apni zindagi mein koi baat hoti
Mein khul ke ro sakta jo tum saath hoti

Zulf mein ulajhti hassi mein bayaan hoti
Meri kismat teri muskuraahat mein ayaan hoti            *ayaan -evident

Ye sardiyaan yun sard na hoti
Tum hoti to zindagi zard na hoti…

But, that's how we talk... (2010)

My roomies and I are BIG fan of bollywood. Whenever there’s a new movie we are excited to watch it until sometimes the reviews are extraordinarily pungent. We have probably watched a few favorite movies more than fifty times on television (no exaggeration). Most of them have left lasting impacts on our speech (casual conversation) that we have with each other and many a times … embarrassingly with others who do not get the head or tail of it. I don’t know if it is a thing to be proud about – but we know almost every other dialogue in every other scene of these few (10-15) movies. And we enjoying mixing them in our regular chit chat.

Movies like Khosla ka Ghosla, Gangajal, Apaharan, Rajneeti, Namaste London, Jane tu ya jaane na, Omkara, Rang de basanti have flavored our tone and diction to a great ‘accent’.

Sometimes a phone conversation starts with “Kaise ho Kathor“(Omkara) or “Kya baat kar diye cherry bhai” and ends with “Jaa simran …jee le apni zindagi“(DDLJ). And that reminds me of Dee Dee El Jay Diwali and Why ee ass NO(Golmal-3) that often spring up without purpose to crack some smiles. As soon as there is a trivial task done one of us might shout “Lo ji ho gaya plot aapka” (Khosla ka Ghosla). Fortunately, none of us is in Realty.

If the situation sometimes is convoluted we may start by saying “Wo ji khurana saahab aapke plot mein interested HONA CHAH RAHE THHE..” Don’t get shocked if we introduce ourselves as “Mein teja hun… Mark idhar hai“(Andaaz apna apna) or if after the introduction we ask you “Aap party hain ya broker?“(Khosla ka Ghosla). The answer is not required. Your brows might twitch if we appreciate you by saying “No No Whery good… WHERY DECENT” (Khosla ka Ghosla) or if we respond to your appreciation by saying “Bass etna keh diye aap… aaj seena chaowda ho gaya humraa“(Gangajal). Trust me though, the appreciation is genuine and so is the response.

If there is something to boast about it is “Raees khandaan hai humaara, chaar bhainsein hain humari” (Namaste London). And when there is a statement of regret it is in line with “Agar mujhe pata hota … ki tum yahan rehti ho… to mein zara pii ke nahi aata“(Namaste London).

An ideal tease consists of “Ek to tu dikhta achha nahi… oopar se to ghareeb hai… kaun karegi tujhse shadi“(Jaane tu ya jaane na) and if we want to disturb you on a phone conversation it would be around “Maataji is doing namastey from inside” (Khosla ka Ghosla). And if we want to sound rude it would be like “Aap chai lenge? coffee? Thanda?… to aap chup rehne ka kya lenge?“(Khosla ka Ghosla). A show of care starts with “Dekhna kahiin death na kar jaaye” (Apaharan) and the show of power is when we say “Humaari party ki jadein itni kamjor nahi ki aise haadason se hil jaaye“(Rajneeti).

A pleading request sounds like “Jeeju ke friend photo kheechoge… kheechoooo“(Jab we met), and a frustrated denial is like “ye saale launde… mujhe gannnnne ke khet dikhana chahte hain… Kyun dekhun mein ganne ke khet… aisa kya hai ganne ke kheton mein?“(Jab we met). If you make an excuse we can catch you by saying ”Abbey Tujhe kya seedhe jaane ke liye rakha hai?” (Rocket Singh). If you make us angry you’d hear “Balwant rai ke kutte“(Salakhein) or retaliate with “Aankh dikhata hai maadar-jaat“ and we may also daunt you by saying “Baandar ke see dekhi sey? maar maar ke waisi laal kar doonga” (Rang de basanti). Just don’t boast because we can shrug you of with “Mein ki aukaat nahi aur hum ka dawa“(Atithi kab jaoge).

Well, I know it’s a long one after a long time. Blogspot.com guys appeared in my dreams in and said “Kya thaakur tereko kitni baar bulaya … tu aata hi nahi hai“(Sarfarosh) so I had to come and write this all. I also know that this is real crazy but if you can appreciate this … join the club “Tum hi ho sachche bahubali“(Omkara) and if you find it crap “Teri maa ka ghosla” (Golmaal-3).

Unknowingly Co-authored by DJ(Devashish Jatthap) and Kamla(Kamal Sindara). They never wrote a line, but, this wasn't possible without them.

Last Day Email (2008)

It’s not. Not yet at least. I am not committing suicide, and in fact, hoping to live cross fifty. This is a last day mail that I wrote while leaving my first day to join another one. Here it goes…

—
Dear Pals,

Last day mails are typical and boring, and this is one is not gonna be an exception. After having spent about ten percent (Don’t exert yourself, i have done my calculations) of my life in office already, now its time to cut the umbilical chord. I had a similar feeling when i left home three years back, something inside is ready to fly off, while something else is sinking deep within. And it irritates me when the expanse of expression cannot stand the intensity of feelings. So be it!

Let me, at least, do some fundamental things on this occasion. First, please accept my heartfelt gratitude, for helping me develop and spread my wings. Secondly, my best wishes and prayers, may God help you with everything good. Thirdly, an earnest request to remember me when I call you some day, and if possible keep in regular touch. Fourth, apologies for all the trouble (includes this mail), silliness, lack of understanding and for inadvertently behaving averse to your expectations.

I have had fun each day and every moment. I’d be glad to continue maintaining this relationship ‘offline’. And I’d be more than happy if I could be of any help to you anytime. Adios!

Warm Regards,
Ujjwal Trivedi
—

There were over a hundred warm replies from well-wishers. I miss having lost connection with some of them. It was a wonderful past. And the present as it goes will hopefully become an even more wonderful past.

Neend (2010)

Kal raat fir neend sirhaane tak aakar laut gayi

Aadhi meechi aadhi khuli aankho mein
Adhure ajeeb se khwaab aate jaate rahe…
Ghadi ki awaaz par thithakti saanson mein…
Thodi bechaini aur badhaate rahe…

Kuchh jaane pehchane chehre thhe
Kuchh naye anjaane bante bigadte rahe
Yaad teri bhi thi aur kuchh anjaan saaye thhe
Raat bhar wo saaye hasaate rulaate rahe

Kuchh halaat andekhe hokar bhi apne lagate thhe
Kuchh dhundhle chehre ajeeb si baatein banate rahe
Wo shayad kuchh kehna kuchh karwaana chahte thhe
Kabhi iss aur kabhi uss aur daudaate rahe

Aankh khuli to dekha ke taqiya thoda nam tha
Aaj din bhar ye kaisee khayalon ki sazish ho gayi hai
Kuchh naya nahi hai fir bhi ajeeb lagta tha
Wo bass ek raat thi ya zindagi hi aisi ho gayi hai?

Lagta hai kal fir need sirhaane tak aakar laut gayi…

Bechaiini

Wo aayenge mehfil mein yakeen hai magar
Saanson par apni bharosa nahi mujhe
Aane wale pal ka to ilm hai magar *ilm - knowledge
Maazi par apne bharosa nahi mujhe… *maazi - past

Yuun der karna adaa hai unnki magar,
Ye raaton ka safar bhi jachta nahi mujhe
Unnhe to aadat hai mukarr jaane ki magar
Har baar ye khel bhi jamta nahi mujhe…

Unnse milkar bhi sukoon aata nahi magar

Bina deed ke bhi chain milta nahi mujhe
Unhe wafa nahi mujhse ye pata hai magar
Ye ilm bhi ya khuda kyun badalta nahi mujhe…

Learnings from Bollywood (2010)

Here's to Bollywood!

Some famous lines and their VERY unusual meaning...

1. Ek kaagaz pe thappa nahi lagega to kya Tara pakistan nahi jaega…(Gadar)

Tara followed his dream…You follow yours… One should dream with some seriousness attached. Those who have achieved have been people who have believed their dreams. You might need to crusade your way to fulfill them. But at the end, it is all totally worth the effort.


2. Chandramukhi ho ya paaro, Ki Faraq penda hai yaaro… (Jhankar Beats)

Be Flexible! Being flexible is a choice. There are successful people who changed with changing circumstances, and another set of successful people who changed the circumstances to their will. Whatever you believe in, you should try to embrace reality in way that doesn’t cause stress.


3. Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi namumkin hai…(Don)

Some bugs are just unavoidable. Don’t fret the small stuff. When we take a holistic view of life, the small imperfections only add to the beauty of it. Some of the miseries in life are God’s Practical jokes. Not all of them are enjoyable, but you can still laugh your way out of embarrassment.


4. Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayal aata hai…(Kabhie Kabhie)

Think! …sometimes! Thinking is hard work. Sometimes you are required to think big, global, out-of-the-box. Why shut the doors of fantasy. It’s absolutely your space, don’t be shy in thinking like president of America. It is fun, revitalizing, improves creativity and you also get to understand the world better when you try to watch it wearing someone else’s shoes.


5. Mogambo khush hua… (Mr. India)

The weirdest of clients can be pleased. Clients are inherently monstrous devils. But you still have to consider them God and reiterate to yourself that they are always Right. And when you do that, when you try to forget your issues for a second and look from Customer’s perspective you have quite a chance of talking in his language and end up appeasing him. The toughest and weirdest of clients can also be appeased. Just listen enough to let them think that you are talking their language.


6. Kitne aadmi thhe…? (Sholay)

Quantity matters. Quality is important. But Quantity is what is important for that ‘instant impression‘. Don’t underestimate the power of numbers. Number of tasks you do, number of clients you convert, number of interviews you take, number of people you benefit.


7. Basanti in kutton ke saamne matt naachna…(Sholay)

Know your audience. More often then not the problem between you and others is lack of understanding. If you know your audience you have a better chance of delivering something they can relate to.


8. Aaj khush to bohot hoge tumm.. haaiiin? (Deewar)

Ask yourself frequently- Are you happy? Because if you are not, what’s the point of living. Are you living or just earning the living? Keeping others happy is important but it is simply not possible without keeping yourself happy first.


9. Ye haath humko de thakur… (Sholay)

Optimize not Exploit. Don’t cut the goose who lays golden eggs. Over exploitation yields in premature exhaustion. It can be you, your colleague, vendor or friend. Be sure you are optimizing and not over-exploiting.


10. I love you…ka ka ka Kiran? (Darr)

Whatever the constraints be, JUST SAY IT! If no one else, be your own Kiran. Love thyself. No seriously. Love your brain, love your dreams,appreciate your thoughts. Love your legs and hands and face, touch them with affection. Ok! take a good laugh at this thought once, but secretly try it once. You will feel awesome.


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Matt Chhedo (2010)

Matt chhedo iss aag ko, jalne do…
Bahut aanch chahiye iss patthar ko, pighalne do…

Badee der se thama hua hai samay, badalne do
Ye bhi dil hua Karta tha kabhie, machalne do

Bohot toofan jhele issne sambhal kar, fisalne do
Isse toda hai bohot jeewan ke thapedon ne, bikharne do

Unmukt chhod do is mann ko, udane do
Kab tak ladoge aansuon ke toofaan se, guzarne do

Matt chhedo iss aag ko, jalne do…
Bahut aanch chahiye iss patthar ko, pighalne do…