Our Most Favourite Song!!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

There was a Film by Dev Anand---the "Gregory Peck " of India which he produced,wrote and directed in 1968-1969---called "Prem Pujaari" or "The Worshipper Of Love" and the Music was composed by one of our Great Composers---Sachin Dev Burman(S.D.Burman)---one of the most melodious Directors---and this Film really had an awesome Musical Score!!The words were written by a Hindi Poet and our favourite Song was sung by Kishore Kumar----an untutored but fantastic Singer---The Man with a Legendary Voice!!I'm giving below first a loosely Translated Stanza---and then the original one----just to show Folks how musical the Cadences of our Languages are!!!
"Using the Colour of Flowers
And my Heart as a Pen
I wrote you daily Letters
How can I tell you
In just how many ways
Each moment you torment me!!!
I always dream of you when asleep
And think only of you when I'm awake
I am always lost in Thoughts of you
Like the String entangled in a Bead Necklace
Yes Clouds and Lightning,Or Sandal Wood and Water
Is like a simile of Our Love
We'll have to be reborn---Many,many times!!!
Our Love is so Sweet and so very intoxicating
That we'll have to be Reborn Many,Many Times!!!"
The Original Song---penned by Kavi(Poet)Neeraj,sung by Kishore Kumar and Music by S.D. Burman
"Haan--Phoolonkey Rangsey,Dilkee Kalamsey
Tujhko likhi roz Paati
Kaisey Bataaoon kiss kiss tarahsey
Pal,Pal mujhey too sataatee
Terey hee Sapney le karkey Soyaa
Teree hee Yaadon mein Jaagaa
Terey Khayaalon mein uljhaa rahaa yoon
Jaisey kee Maalaa mein Dhaagaa
Haan Baadal Bijlee,Chandan Paani
Jaisaa apnaa Pyaar
Lena hoga Janam humen
Kaee Kaee Baar
Haan itnaa Madhur,itnaa Madhir
Tera Mera Pyaar
Lenaa hoga Janam humen
Kaee kaee baar!!"

To those who understand the Words all those Poetic Similes are a true work of Art---and this Song is just a very tiny Example of those beautiful Lyrics penned by a host of Great Lyricists who actually and truly deserved to be called "Poets"!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RAIN454 11/18/2010 11:16AM

The lyrics were beautiful. I just found it on youtube. Very cute video and nice song. Is the movie set in Switzerland? Looks nice. Thanks for sharing! Comment edited on: 11/18/2010 11:28:58 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

NICE125 10/25/2010 1:24PM

Loved those movies, loved the songs and the sari clad heroines!such grace! Report Inappropriate Comment

SONPARI1 10/25/2010 6:07AM

Lovely song, and great post as well...nice way to kickstart the week ;) Report Inappropriate Comment

DRASADAF 10/25/2010 1:02AM

Aha!!early in the morning i read ur blog and whoa wat a blog...u made my day....thanku.... Report Inappropriate Comment

BOVEY63 10/24/2010 9:38PM

Beautiful song. Thanks for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

RAGGARWALAX 10/24/2010 8:33PM

Beautiful :-) Songs these days stay in your head for a short period of time and then they are out of sight, out of mind whereas the songs from the 50s-70s were so melodious and unforgettable! Report Inappropriate Comment

Music and Moonlight!!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

I belong to a Musically inclined Family---note I said inclined not proficient---because all those who sing have never been trained---at all!!!Count me out of this category---I can no longer sing---having excersised my Vocal chords at full blast---yelling myself hoarse at my daughters while they were growing up----it's a mercy they're not deaf!!!However as usual I digress!!!
Sudhir has a beautiful voice---he's a Tenor and his voice is very smooth---it just washes over one like a tuneful and magical whispering Silk!!His problem is remembering the words---and if a tune touches him deeply---he literally cries buckets---he gets that badly involved!!!I on the other hand worship the Words---for according to me it's necessary for both the Tunes and The Words to complement each other to really weave Magic!!In the early years of our marriage the Television was not as omnipresent as it is today---and we'd both spend the time before drifting off to Sleep listening to Love Songs which I'd record on tapes(Cassettes) and which would play softly in the background---gently lulling us to sleep!!I must be having a large collection of taped Cassettes--- Instrumental and Vocal---in both Indian and English Music!!!Indian Lyricists---specially those who wrote for Bollywood never really got their due those days---it was always the Singer,Music Directors and even Actors who lip synced to the words--- who got the glory!!
I don't know if I'm biased but I honestly feel that Urdu is the language for Love---and a Ghazal the best Vehicle to express it!!It is this that Sudhir is so very good at----even today I love to hear him sing in Moonlit Nights---we switch off all the electric Bulbs and just sit looking out at the Moon holding hands---Sudhir sings I listen!!Many times I join in---not really tuneful---but on an impulse!!Today we listen to the popular songs of our childhood---those were the Golden Years in both the Marathi and Hindi Music Industry---and thus we reach out to touch our past!!Some songs that Sudhir loves to sing were our Signature Tunes--specially in the courting period we spent apart after our Engagement---these Songs still bring back memories that even today make my Heart Beat race!!!
There are some very beautiful and lyrical Marathi and old Bollywood Songs which still stir the Soul with their mesmerising Magic---but then those days and their associations account for them to retain their hold on our imagination!!Both our daughters have inherited Sudhir's talent----and I love listening to both our girls sing---but for me even today it is Sudhir,his beautiful voice and the way he sings that still makes my Heart beat faster---and then I return to being the starry eyed 16 year old and he my Heart Throb!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

EACHDAYAGIFT 10/24/2010 11:52AM

I can see why you fell in love with Sudhir. He seems to feel things so intensely, from worry and fear, to beauty and love. You are so full of life, yourself, the two of you are probably rarely dull! So romantic... Report Inappropriate Comment

DRASADAF 10/24/2010 1:33AM

Yes ..i agree with u..nowadays the songs don't remain in our minds and its so difficult to recall..but the sweet voice of Lataji will linger in our minds and hearts forever....god bless ur sweet twosome....its quite idyllic...touch wood... Comment edited on: 10/24/2010 1:34:20 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

RAGGARWALAX 10/23/2010 11:24PM

So sweet and adorable!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

RAJASHREE108 10/23/2010 9:54PM

Great! Report Inappropriate Comment

BOVEY63 10/23/2010 6:03PM

You have a beautiful love! Report Inappropriate Comment

RATIONAL_EATER 10/23/2010 3:31PM

Awww..so romantic!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Full Moon!!!

Friday, October 22, 2010

It's been raining on and off since last night----but The Moon has made it's Magical Appearance---all the while playing hide-and-seek with the Clouds!!!The Night is truly Magical---Silvery Light playing onthe Coconut Trees---dappling their Fronds in the gentle Breeze----tossing their heads with a sigh in this bright Moonlight!!
The night outside is tranquil and calm---peacefully quiet---The Silence can be heard!!!Thank you Dear God for all your Blessings----no sight can be so mesmerising!!!Wishing all my Friends a Wonderful,Magical and Blessed "Sharad Pournima"!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RAJASHREE108 10/23/2010 9:56PM

The moon was beautiful shining behind the tall trees..Sharadaache chaandane.. Report Inappropriate Comment

BOVEY63 10/22/2010 11:33PM

The moon is beautiful here tonight too. We watched it come up over Lake Superior and one of it's lighthouses. Seeing the light reflected in the water was spectacular. Report Inappropriate Comment

MARGARITTM 10/22/2010 1:58PM

I also heard a rumor about some meteor showers in the southern sky! Moon was BEAUTIFUL! Report Inappropriate Comment

SAASHA17 10/22/2010 1:52PM

Hope i can see the moon tonight too. its raining and so cloudy. have a nice weekend Manasa Report Inappropriate Comment

Moonlight Nights!!!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Tomorrow is "Kojagiri/Navanna/Sharad Pournima" or the Full Moon night supposed to be the most beautiful Night during the entire year!!!It is the day that the harvesting of Rice is completed and ceremoniously offered to the Gods---on this beautiful and auspiscious Day.I have always loved this Night---ever since early childhood---and a lot of beautiful Memories are attached to this!!
First the full Moon looks breathtakingly beautiful---hanging like a big round luminous Ball in the velvet black Sky---spreading it's pure Silvery Light everywhere!!In my childhood this would be the turning point of the Season---Winter would stealthily creep in after this Event!!Those days we'd gather for Dinner in the Garden of our home---my Parents always threw a "Kojagiri"Party---and would eat Dinner by the Moonlight---it used to be bright enough to see by!!The "piece de Resistance" would be a huge Vessel filled to the brim with thickened ,sweetened Milk and Parched Rice(Pohey)---covered only by a flimsy thin netting---left open to absorb the magical Rays of Moonlight!!This dish would be chockful with Almonds,Pistachioes,Cashews,Raisins and Saffron Threads---and scented with powdered Cardamom and Nutmeg----kept in the Moonlight till the wee hours of Dawn---and eaten only after it had fully absorbed the Moonlight---it tasted wonderful and even today I believe that the Moonlight added to the taste!!!The other alternative to this Dish was "Rabdi" made from Milk reduced to a thick creamy consistency and scented with either Rose Essence and fresh Rose Petals or drops of "Kewra" Essence---distilled from a heady perfumed Flower!!!
The Milk would be cooked on a coal fire in huge Iron Cauldrons for almost the entire day---and in the first case reduced to half in the second to a quarter of it's original quantity!!!Then it would be sugared and garnished with Dried Fruit and Nuts and in the first case washed Fresh Poha would be added to it----thickening the Concoction to a solid consistency!!!Both these concoctions would be served in Dried Leaf Bowls---called "Drona"made in triangular shapes with thin Coconut(Hira) strips holding the folds in place.There would be lots of Song and Dance and plenty of Jokes---and finally we'd eat the cold Milk offering by 2-3 a.m.----literally propping our eyes open---not one of us children would be willing to miss this cold treat!!
My father was a great Mimic,a good Singer and had a fantastic sense of Comic timing---and he'd hold all the Spectators spell bound with his wide repertoire----ensuring a Fun time for all!!!Neither of us sings well---I definitely croak---but my daughters have inherited Sudhir's beautiful Voice---he's too shy to sing in Public---but his voice is soft and melliflous---enchanting on such Moonlit nights!!After we shifted here, the Moon would rise between the Fronds of the Coconut Palms---playing Hide-n-Seek with the swaying Fronds!!The Vegetable Garden would be bathed in pure bright Silvery Light---and both of us would stand in the Bedroom window---spellbound and wordless---just drinking this Beauty in with our eyes!!To date I cannot tire of this mesmerising sight---the Moon rising and then travelling overhead till it crosses out of my vision---leaving behind it's bands and swathes of Moonlight clearly lighting up even each blade of Grass---in contrasts of Silver and Black!!
Other full Moon nights are also beautiful---but this is something else!!The Moon glows bright and low in the Sky---creating an illusion of being well within reach---as if by stretching out my hands I can easily pluck it out of the Sky!!Science may have opened our eyes to all the facts about the Moon---but to me it is still the most romantic Heavenly Body---which still possesses it's ancient Magic---luring me to it!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

EACHDAYAGIFT 10/23/2010 11:16AM

Does Sudhir sing to you in private? Growing up loving musicals, I felt sort of cheated when I fell in love and sing to me was not part of Lloyd's repertoire of talents, LOL. I'm not too gifted in that department, either. My favorite moonlit nights are ones when there is fresh snow, reflecting the moonlight and making the night so bright and welcoming. Your traditional treats sound right up my alley, and the notion of letting them absorb the moonlight first is so poetic. Report Inappropriate Comment

SABA_MALI 10/22/2010 4:34AM

U gave a clear view of the beauty of the full moon. I love the full moon too and when it shines bright over our house i love to see it shine our house, our lawn, our front entrance and the silent wide and long street in front of our house. Its light is just so magical Report Inappropriate Comment

NICE125 10/21/2010 11:57PM

You have put into words what I felt on seeing the moon tonight, even tho its a day away from being full!! Report Inappropriate Comment

RAGGARWALAX 10/21/2010 10:05PM

I have always loved the full moon nights and your description just makes it even more magical :-) Thanks! Reeta Report Inappropriate Comment

MILLISMA 10/21/2010 9:55PM

I've always loved the full moon but you've made it even more magical. Thanks for sharing your memories. Mary Anne Report Inappropriate Comment

BOVEY63 10/21/2010 8:32PM

That sounds so wonderful! I am so glad that you share these amazing memories and traditions with us. Report Inappropriate Comment

RATIONAL_EATER 10/21/2010 3:35PM

Thank you for the wonderful reading experience.I loved it. Report Inappropriate Comment

MESSENE 10/21/2010 3:22PM

Sounds like a dream. Report Inappropriate Comment

DRASADAF 10/21/2010 1:39PM

Aha! i will remember that winter is now approaching....always loved winter....and moonlit nights...quite romantic as it seems... Report Inappropriate Comment

LISANANCY 10/21/2010 12:23PM

Magic! Wonderful memories to share. Thank you for today's gift. Report Inappropriate Comment

SAASHA17 10/21/2010 12:04PM

hmm..will keep a reminder and check it out tomorrow night...might even go for a drive and check it out from the golden gate bridge.. Report Inappropriate Comment

MAGIK0731 10/21/2010 11:59AM

Sounds like a magical night. Happy Kojagiri/Navanna/Sharad Pournima! Can I say that? :) Thanks for sharing your experiences. Report Inappropriate Comment

Spicy & Dry Fish Preparation(Fish Kalputty)

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

TOTAL CALORIE COUNT 367.6/SERVING--TOTAL SERVINGS 6
Total Fat--23.4 g.,Saturated Fat 4.7 g.,Polyunsaturated Fat--6.8 g.,Monounsaturated Fat 9.3 g.,Cholestrol 62.5 mg.,Sodium 481.7 mg.,Potassium 756.8 mg.,Total Carbohydrate-19.5 g.,Dietary Fiber 4.1 g.,Sugars 1.0 g.,Protein 23 g.
INGREDIENTS
500 gms Mackerel--Whole Fish cut into 1 " thick pieces
1 tsp.Turmeric Powder
Salt to taste
5-7 Dry Mangosteen Skins/Shells(Kokum/Soley)
300 gms.Shallots(Red Onions)minced fine
3-5 tbsps. Sesame Oil(according to taste)
GROUND PASTE
30gms.Peeled Fresh Ginger Root
30 gms.Peeled Garlic Flakes
1.5 tbsp.Lemon Juice
Grind all these Ingredients together to a fine Paste
MASALA POWDER
3 tbsps. Dry Coriander Seeds
2 tbsps.Red Chilli Powder(Degi Mirch-MDH Brand)
2 tsps.Sambar Powder(MTR Brand)
1 tsp.Turmeric Powder
Powder all Ingredients together to make as fine a Powder as possible.
METHOD
Wash the Mackerel pieces and apply Salt and 1 tsp.Turmeric Powder to these.Grind together the Ginger and Garlic with Lemon Juice to a fine Paste.Grind all the Ingredients for Masala Powder to as fine a Powder as possible.Apply this Powder and the Ginger Garlic Paste to the Mackerel and marinate for 30 minutes.
Heat Oil in a non stick Wok and fry the minced Shallots in it till crisp and brown.Allow these to cool to room temprature and then mix in the Mackerel and the entire Marinade.Adjust the Salt if needed.Tuck in the Mangosteen Skins evenly in the preparation in the Wok.Cook uncovered on low flame till the Oil shows at the sides and all the juices dry up.Shake the Wok gently to prevent sticking to the bottom of the Pan every few minutes.Do not stir or the pieces wll break.Garnish with finely chopped Coriander Leaves and serve with hot,steamed Rice and Kokum Curry---This is a dry Curry and the excess Oil is used as additional Curry to season the Rice.This dish is prepared mainly for the evening meals in Konkani homes.


This is one of our favourite dishes and requires the deeply browned and crispy Shallots----very tasty but not for eating as often as I'd like!!My Great Grandma was a phenomenal Cook and a very knowledgeable "Vaidu"---well versed in ancient Ayurvedic Remedies as well as Naturopathy.She died at a very ripe old age but retained all her faculties except her sight to the last.When she realised that she was losing her eyesight,she memorised the feel of each Root and Branch she needed.After she lost her eyesight,she'd tell each Medicinal Root and Branch by the feel and prescribe accurate proportions to be taken!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HEALTHYPRIYA 10/20/2010 12:29AM

in bangkok we don't get our desi fishes, can we use any fish for this recipe? Report Inappropriate Comment

HEALTHYPRIYA 10/20/2010 12:28AM

wow.. love this recipe, i am gonna try this weekend.. and nice to read about ur Great Grandmother.. Report Inappropriate Comment

MESSENE 10/19/2010 10:09PM

So Yummy! Wish you a wonderful week!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

BOVEY63 10/19/2010 12:55PM

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RAJASHREE108 10/19/2010 12:28PM

Yummy! Report Inappropriate Comment