Wah, Ustad! (Farewell to the Eternal Maestro of Rhythm)
This is a series of my reflections, an articulation of my “manogat”. “Manogat” is a Sanskrit word literally meaning “that which has gone into or through the mind”; I have not found a more precise description of a thought. That’s what I intend this series to be – an expression of things that have crossed my mind – some raw, some formed; some short, some long; some studied, some reflex; some simple, some complex; some instinctive, some intentional; some personal, some more general. It’s my attempt to pin and pen down some of the frenetic action in my mind, my manogat. read more →
About The Author
The author, Ms. Vaishali Bhat, is a senior professional with over two decades of experience in the corporate sector. Whilst being a successful career woman, she is also family oriented. A multi-faceted personality, she has a diverse set of interests and hobbies. Well-read in several languages that she is also fluent in, she loves to travel and interact with people. Her ability to balance her work life has made her a sought-after mentor and a role model. read more →
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Wah, Ustad! (Farewell to the Eternal Maestro of Rhythm)
Ustad Zakir Hussain was a magician – for decades, he captivated us with his magic of creating “sur” from “taal”. Music wasn’t just a part of his being; it defined him, it was his essence, flowing through every fibre of his musical soul.
DetailsA Whiff of Immortality
…Just like the rising sun spreads its golden yellow glow over the world as it emerges into the sky, so did this newly-dawned realisation bathe me in a warm glow of joy and love, with the awareness that …
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A bow to rainbows
…my thoughts went back to a couple of times during my travels, when I was fortunate to see two of the most gorgeous rainbow sights one could ever imagine – two very different places, two very different settings, both beautiful in their own different ways, both adorned in crowning glory from one edge of the horizon to another, by not one but two parallel rainbows, that is a double rainbow! As I mused down memory lane, I thought I could take a few of you along too, and help you see these beautiful spectacles in your mind’s eye…
Detailsपरसतिश – A tribute to the golden voice of Lata Mangeshkar
“This is not just any musing that I have written about, it is a labour of my love for Lataji’s voice, an avid account of my admiration and adulation for her work and her career. I have not seen God, but I have felt His or Her Divine presence in Lataji’s voice. To me, that golden voice is the best manifestation I know of माँ सरस्वती (Maa Saraswati), the goddess of the arts and learning. This is therefore an offering of my love, my worship, my पूजा, my इबादत, my परसतिश – to the golden voice of Lataji!”
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The forbidden fruit
It looks like a hot day; a lot of water is splashing around and the view is not clear. As the splashing subsides a bit, a bunch of kids of varying ages are briefly visible, playing in water, and hold on, this is not a swimming pool, it looks like a lake or a river. Just as I am beginning to recognize the scene, it dissolves, and a new one appears, this one with a bunch of playing cards that kids are playing with.
DetailsA moment in the moment
A bright, sunny, hot morning – I was sitting on one of the beach lounging chairs, feet put up, staring into the endless, azure expanse of the ocean stretched in front of me just across a small stretch of sand. I had been sitting here for a good part of an hour, just looking far out into the water. Sitting at a beach in this manner for hours is not a new experience for me; yet, it was different today.
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