Music and Lyrics

Today, I made use of the best technology I've come across for a while now. We'd gone for some Froyo (frozen yogurt) with some of my friends to our favorite place in Squirrel Hill, Razzy Fresh. As I entered the parlor I heard a familiar song. A song which I'd heard consciously and sub consciously on several occasions in places like coffee shops, ice cream parlors, malls, cafeterias....always faintly playing in the background.

I never really new what the song was, but I knew that I really liked it. So, I told this whole story to one of my friends. Also stating that I wish I had knew which song this was so that I could download it.

My friend, the proud owner of an i-phone said "I can help you there!". He just held the i-phone close to one of the speakers and triggered an application. Soon the application spat out the band, album and song name. To my delight of course. Now thats another reason to buy an i-pad :)

By the way, this is a really nice song. I'm glad I can hear it without falling to pieces in desperate search for it. Thanks to my friend and his i-phone.

http://www.vevo.com/watch/the-script/breakeven-falling-to-pieces/GB1100900335

And the lyrics

http://www.lyricsreg.com/lyrics/the+script/Falling+To+Pieces/

Choti Si Baat

There are probably not more than a couple of movies I've seen more often than this one. Its one of the cutest movies ever made - simple, entertaining and insightful. I don't know who this actress is, but she's so right for the part! Amol Palekar, on the other hand, is at his usual best. Colonel Julius Nagrendranath Wilfred Singh has given my so many kicks and highs as a kid. I thank my mom for introducing me to this genre of cinema and Choti Si Baat is my favorite amongst the lot.

I hope this song had a piano version. I can even imagine it in my mind's ear. The song has a beautiful melody and is sung with casual brilliance. Maybe the next time I get my hands on the piano, I'll try this out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h1Vc_ur0Dg

"Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow"

Leaving Home

I just spent my best few days in this country last week, visiting a friend in a part of the globe I hadn't even heard of before last year. Now that I'm back to Pittsburgh, I feel like I'm back to KGP after the winter break.

Amongst several things we did in those few days, was playing cards. Of course, with music in the background...great speakers too! We heard our favorite tracks, revisited some forgotten songs and traveled across the dimensions of time and space in music.

But for some very weird reason, this song stood out in my memory. It connected probably as a true representation of the house, rather home, that I visited. Just like the "gaon" in the song, there was love in the air and a feeling of being loved.

If you know me, you know what I'm talking about and whom this post is dedicated to.

http://new.saavn.com/search/virasat

Song: Ek Tha Raja

By the way...this was an awesome movie, with shockingly good music from Anu Malik.

Other songs from the film are also highly recommended.

Try,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAzmlFpDg7A

"Melody and rhythm find their way to the secret places of the soul"

An era

Every day here seems like a year. A mini like a decade. A semester like an era. And not in a bad way. Far from it. In a very very good way. My time feels well utilized. And thats a good feeling. I was just talking to my mom saying that "too much free time" is basically the root cause of most things that are wrong in the world.

So if anyone of you ever wondered whats causing stress/distress, just consider the lack of an interest or hobby as a possible cause. If you can't think of anything to do, do what I do : make random theories, link it to a song and share it. If nothing else, people will appreciate Rahman's music.

By the way, this song is extremely beautiful. Unfortunately, the screenplay has two cartoons in it. Please ignore them and the childish choreography and concentrate on Rahman's beautiful melody.

There is so much of music squeezed into this one song, much like so many things squeezed into this time in our life, making it seem like an era.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PQKBDhrXpE&feature=related

"Music is what feelings sound like.."

Stand By Me

Diwali is probably the only festival I truly believe in. The festival of lights, the victory of good over evil, the story of the Ramayan..its fascinating...whether mythology or fact, it has a lot one can learn from.

I've experienced various kinds of Diwalis in the past few years, from the homely pooja to "illumination" in KGP and now in the US. The experiences have been far too diverse and needless to say the homely Diwali is definitely the most satisfying. But even the others have been very enjoyable. Only better each year. And its because you know you have someone to stand by you, each time....and the list becomes longer and longer.

This is one of the those songs which you HAVE to like. Its one of the top 100 things to have happened last century.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM&feature=related

Won't do justice without adding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM&feature=related

And, the original

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbg7YoXiKn0

Not to mention, the fun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7P5jWu9JLo

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

Best of me

Two fascinating lectures.

1. Goldman Sachs tells us how funding against the fed funds effective rate for collateralized OTC trades challenges the traditional discounting based on LIBOR. As interesting as this was, I fear we'll be obsolete even before we graduate!

2. From the Binomial pricing model to the Black Scholes. One of the most ingenuous derivations in financial mathematics. A Nobel prize winning idea. We're ready to listen to it from the horse's mouth next week.

I'm sorry to be so geeky and selfish today. But I won't say much more.

Suffice to say, this day pretty much got the best of me :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF-F_Jlk9HQ

"When you want it, when you need it, you'll always get the best of me..."

Back home

The first day of a new week of a new term in college. Felt at home, at peace, getting into the routine, in familiar territory.

In a short span of time, I've started referring to this place as home. Its not replaced Mumbai by any stretch of imagination, but I'm still far more home than I had anticipated three months ago when I came here.

As much as I love New York, I missed CMU while I was away. It took me a year to get attached to IIT, a fortnight to get attached to this place. Its magical.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3LpeMF-I4A&feature=related

"Too many pieces of music finish too long after the end"

High Hopes

I've had a largely music-less past month. Its unfortunate. But my time has been mostly well spent. So I'm not too sad about it. There was one song though which carried me through these very involved few weeks.

I traveled two 8 hour bus journeys last week through the beautiful countryside of eastern Pennsylvania from Pittsburgh to New York. Colors...yellow, orange, red, pink, hint of green still. Autumn, vibrant as ever.

Spent some very busy days in the financial capital of the world.

But ended it up with a fun filled day. Worked like a medicine to my tired body and mind.

Don't you love New York in the fall?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqvcmud3LFQ

A different way to be

From corporate job to academics.

The change is quite amazing. As much as I loved working, as much as I miss the Bloomberg terminal, the fixed income weeklies and the non-farm payrolls conference calls, academic life in a top class university has its own charm. Strict statistical proofs, math fundamentals, computer science simulations and the efficient market hypotheses is just as fascinating. Even though its quite a different way to be.

There is a certain smoothness about academic life, which is unique to it. I know I've probably exercised what is probably my last option on education. I just want to make it deep in the money.

Now is the time to learn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yam5uK6e-bQ&ob=av2e

"Music, the greatest good that mortals know, And all of heaven we have below"

Time and Tide

I have no clue how the last two days have passed by. Not that I was stressed out with loads of work. Neither did I have some big events coming up. But I haven't had a moment to myself to just sit idly or think about nothing in particular or just reflect on some random thoughts.

Its actually a good feeling. It makes me realize that I'm not having to "pass" time. Time is just passing by. Having said, I do sometimes wonder if this is taking me away from some things I don't want to get away from. These thoughts are fleeting though. More from disbelief of having this feeling than perhaps from any substance in it.

I'm back home now. And this is the first time in nearly 3 days I'm breathing consciously. And now that I'm thinking what I did in these last 3 days I'm quite satisfied. Anyway needless to say that a song inspires this reflection. And just like my time this weekend the song has a beautiful flow.

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=pA8LnqwdM3Y&feature=related

"Music is to the soul, what a hot water bath is to the body.."

Link

I've spent the entire evening, most of the night, and most of the early morning finding my way through tons of historical economic data and finding relationships between them.

Most people find this process frustrating. I think there's a certain charm about this process. Statistical inferences, correlations, trends, cyclicality...I like these terms. And more so when the variables deal with economics.

The joy which you feel after you've made sense of data which seemed nonsensical just a few hours ago is quite magical. Its almost as if you've discovered relationships from history which have always been there..whether you believe it or not...whether they make logical sense or not is more human than mathematics, more subjective than objective. Much like the notes of the piano.

Much like this song, in such a different emotion nevertheless!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO35DVm_5ts

"If you look deep enough, you will see music; the heart of nature being everywhere music.."

Don't Worry

I've had a tough 2 days. I missed a post yesterday. Lots of worries and chaos. I'm glad its over because I rather not put sad thoughts into this space. I'd much rather imagine you smiling while reading this.

Anyway, the day ended with an extremely satisfying email which made up for quite a lot of the problems I faced. Yes, happiness was just around the corner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9K4BKkLaCI

"There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music"

Still haven't found what I'm looking for?

One of our best friends just got engaged recently. Its one of his biggest dreams coming true. He said in our first year in college, "Yaar life mein settle hona hai!"

Everyone has dreams at that age. Only few go on to fulfill them exactly when and how they want. This guy did it. And in the best way possible..I call it the "Socha na tha" adaptation of real life. I still remember him walking the corridors of the hostel singing U2's song in his torn voice.

His words now seem quite wise. Have I still haven't found what I'm looking for?

Well the answer is a song. And its not the one which it seems I've made obvious. So click below, before you make any conclusions!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqQKzTi7JDU

"Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music"

Indian Charm

Today's song of the day is a request. A request I wouldn't decline even if I wanted to. But with a song like this there's no question of decline. I'm surprised this song had been missed, but I'm glad its come to notice. Better late than never!

Anyway it brings back a lot of memories. Memories of 4 years of my life in which I was probably closest to music. The stage, the lights, the audience, the practice sessions, the power of the strings...aah.. what a time of life! This song was quite close to the peak of those 4 musical years. And I'll always like our version more, as good as this song is!

Imagine yourself in a desert of Rajasthan. Imagine the line of huts and the small well of water. A man riding the back of a camel. The sun setting behind it, making the sky vermilion, matching the color of the sindur of the lady passing by. She's dressed in the traditional folk colors of Rajasthan, with bangles, an ornate trinket around her ankle and may be a nose ring.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPxeSJn7JMc

"Music fills the infinite between two souls.."

Thank God

Sometimes your brain just works in the perfect way. You preempt the challenges which are about to be thrown to you and work towards getting yourself psyched and prepared for them.

Something like whats happening to me now. Thank God I was able to predict the kinds of challenges I'd be facing and so far I can't think of much I missed in my preparation for this new phase of life.

Don't know how long this will last. Hope it does for as long as this phase does. It will on God's will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKOsnTO5_60

"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul"

Friday night!

It's a Friday night! I'm in a happy mood. Party time. Though there's no party happening, apart from in my mind.

I'm relieved with the amount of work I've been able to get out of the way today.

Looking forward to the ability of being able to have some fun, play some games and cook some interesting food over the weekend.

So there's no depth to my thoughts today. Its simple, joyous and party-like.

And as a result, today's song is 'dhinchak'. It does have some interesting use of digital music, though. But thats besides the point. I'm just celebrating the arrival of the weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG1ZTVEntMs

"Where's the party tonight!?......"

Moonlight

I've had a long day..discussing and over-discussing macroeconomics with so many smart people around me. The result was fruitful. A better understanding of concepts. Definitely satisfying. One loop-hole remains. Hopefully it'll be sealed with tomorrow's sun rise.

The highlight of the day was still a long phone conversation and the photograph of a fantastic painting a friend sent me. I know I'm making my friend's day now :) And its totally well-deserved.

In another place, another friend's life faces chaos. I'm sure it'll be resolved soon. Time will take care of it.

In yet another place another friend got engaged for marriage. First amongst our group from Kgp. I'm excited! Also angry with him for not making me meet her while I was in India. You suck!

Anyway...with all these events its late. I type while the moonlight falls on the keyboard of my laptop through the window of our house.

I find my self humming this song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0QqGw3_NHI

"Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in...To the power of the music that I write, the power of the music of the night...."

Calm

Swimming. For long. A lot. Exhausted.

Entered the hot water sauna. Closed my eyes and heard the sound of the piano and the flute intertwined in a melody.

The beginning of the song brings immense calm. I listened intensely, intently.

I could imagine the most beautiful sceneries. Central park in New York city in the fall. The yellow, red and orange leaves. The frozen waterfall at Columbus, Ohio. Nariman Point, Mumbai in the monsoon. The 2.2km road filled with fog in an early morning in Kharagpur. The still water on the beach in Mauritius. The lonely boats in the sea of that beach. The fine arts building at Carnegie Mellon. I could go on...but I guess you get the point.

Close your eyes while listening to this. Hopefully you'll get to see some scenes from your travels and prompt some more traveling!

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

"Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul. It's the most delightful gift God has given us"

A new day

I woke up this morning after a 4-day long fun weekend. A weekend of squash, swimming, table tennis, MATLAB, C++ and Macroeconomics!

Most such days would start with a "Damn the mini-vacation is over!" It wasn't the case today. Even though the first class of the day was something I was least looking forward to. For some reason, I still had a big smile on my face. For the same reason, I woke up at 6.30 am with no fuss whatsoever. Maybe it was the new toaster we bought. (Yes we can finally have toast with our morning coffee!)

Whatever be the case, such a mood is something to savor. So on the walk to the bus stop in the morning this is the song my I-pod played, while i stared into the sun wearing my (new) sun glasses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co6WMzDOh1o&ob=av2n

Things seemed perfect like I had it all.

What you don't have, you don't need it now,

What you don't know, you can feel it somehow.

"Music is a safe type of high. It's more the way it was supposed to be. That's where highness came from, I guess, anyway. It's nothing but rhythm and motion."

Stay the same

This song is actually my friend's song of the day. She was listening to it while drinking her favorite drink after a long two months of life changing events to say the least.

Its a special song for a multitude of reasons. The concept, the lyrics...polished at some places, rustic at others. The music...a mixture of jazz, blues and Arabic. Rahman's voice.

I remember discussing this song at length when I was just getting to know my friend well. And I remember three of us singing it together while playing 'Antakshari' in a long auto ride in the suburbs of Mumbai.

This song, though written for the city of Delhi, can easily be translated to Mumbai or even important people in your life.

Rehna tu, hai jaise tu

Thoda sa dard tu, thoda sukoon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4CpFToEac0

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent"

Yahi meri zindagi hai!

This was planned much earlier. I hope to put it into practice now.

A song a day and I don't want to restrict myself to any particular genre.

The music I post is more for the feel and the situation/incident/person/mood that reminded me of the song that day..

I've been in a new city and a new country for the last one month. And I've just about started to really enjoy and feel at peace with my life here. Moreover the weather has changed in the last two days from scorching heat to extremely pleasant with a light cool breeze blowing on your face while you're walking the side-walk.

I just returned home after some grocery shopping with my i-pod in my ears and this song playing at full volume. Made my day.

http://www.radioreloaded.com/tracks/?25180

Hope it does something similar to you!

"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. It is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents."