Unrequited.

The bee waiting for the

flower to bloom.

The cup of chai

losing its steam. 

A soldiers widow still

groping for the familiar touch. 

A lover waiting for his beloved

as the darkness falls. 

Unspoken words

stained ink on paper.  

Written letters

locked in the cupboard. 

Eyes tightly shut. 

Unrequited.

I am not sad she said no. Just happy I asked. 

Unrequited. 

They are some emotions, deep inside, hardly visited and often pondered. One of them has prompted me to write. All through our lives we grapple with unfulfillment and fly through the cracks into happiness. A sickness of a merry sort, a lovesickness. 

I search through the annals of my mind. A desire warmed by passion. 

****************

The waves caressed her bare feet

as she embraced the ocean. 

Its depth and the completeness 

it bought in her. 

She could sense the tranquility,

she sought. 

She could sense her thought 

and in them, his. 

That night at Bandstand. 

Chai was sipped, cigarettes were smoked. 

And hearts were dealt over

sewn dreams. 

His reflection in her eyes,

down to her soul. 

An interwoven story, 

whose end was never written. 

A sickness of a merry sort,

a lovesickness. 

Last Night It Was Raining.

The skies are crying,

the breeze escapes from the window

and flows through my hair. 

The cigarette ash engulfs itself

as I watch it dying. 

What is? Will it always be? 

Where was this melancholy hidden. 

From there to here, and now where?

Looking within, searching beneath. 

No shadows. No light. 

The lime and the beer,

tease my senses.

Where am I? 

I ask the wind, 

and it has no answer. 

Who am I?

I ask myself. 

Being alone.

Observing myself. 

Compromising desire for ambition. 

Have to let go.

a lot more is on its way. 

Look out for the clue

I did. I searched. I found

and then the mystery changed. 

The memories of lost love and the lost love of memories.

****

Has Indipop Found A Savior In Bollywood?

Indie music and musicians are finally making inroads into Bollywood, giving it’s music a new dimension and a fresh lease. Music today is original and enjoyable,unlike the past where everyday a harsh new remix was released. This change started in 2008-2009 and steadily crept into the mainstream. Today, it is a force to reckon with.

Last year we had Suraj Jagan, one of the pioneers of the Indian rock movement, crooning to the tunes of Vishal Dadlani for a Karan Johar film. Upcoming band Agnee, scored the music for Dil Dosti etc and its lead singer Mohan, has lent his voice to movies such as Udaan and the recently released Shor In The City. And how can I forget to mention Papon’s  wonderful rendition of Jiyen Kyun and the lusty background score by Midival Punditz in Dum Maro Dum. Such collaborations have churned out a variety of memorable soundtracks and going by the song listings of upcoming films many more are on the anvil.

Bollywood music always catered to an audience and more importantly to a demand. As Indie musicians never had any such compulsions, they were free to explore and experiment in their musical endeavors. This freedom coupled with unbridled creativity converted indie music from a niche into a movement that Bollywood has finally stood up and taken notice off.

This was further cemented by the influx of Indie musicians such as Mohit Chauhan, Vishal - Shekhar and Salim - Suliaman, who today are some of the biggest names of the Bollywood music industry. All of them honed their skills and built their musical foundations whilst playing in bands during their youth. The most specific mention here would perhaps be, that of Amit Trivedi's, whose musical score for Udaan, DevD, Aamir, Aisha and the recently released I am was nothing short of brilliance. Touted as Rahman's successor, and not without a good reason, he is definitely the one to look out for.

This is slowly bringing about a change in the pattern, sound and identity of Bollywood music. It has lost all shape, size and boundary. Thus, ushering in a new sense of creativity and freedom into the industry, which is here to stay and thankfully so.