Listen Up!

An exclusive interview with Shiamak Davar

Choreographer, musician, actor, performer - there are so many different ways you can describe him but the man wears all his hats with equal ease. Mybindi.com presents an exclusive interview with SHIAMAK DAVAR where he talks about upcoming shows, his new apparel line in association with Reebok and everything in between. Read on... 

What brings you to Canada right now?

Canada is my second home and I absolutely love it here! I have my dance schools in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Calgary. Our students’ annual showcase, Summer Funk™, is scheduled this month across Canada – 4^th July in Toronto, 5^th July in Calgary and 18^th July in Vancouver.  Soon after, my Dance Team in Vancouver will present my new show called STARS OF BOLLYWOOD on July 24^th and 25^th at the Centennial Theatre. I’m glad to be here to help them prepare for all these events.

The SHIAMAK brand has grown phenomenally over the years. What do you think has led to its incredible success and popularity?

I thank God for my success. I strongly believe that with Him, all things are possible. When I started out I wanted to be a singer and actor, but I was advised by my spiritual guides, the Bhavnagris to open dance classes instead. I began with seven students at one centre in Mumbai and I was discouraged and ridiculed by people who put me down for bringing Western dance to India. Today the same people send their children to my dance classes, and my school has a presence on three continents (Asia, North America and Australia).

Our classes are about more than just dance, and this is part of the reason that our schools are growing. We believe in giving positive energy, joy and confidence to our students through dance. Our motto is Have Feet. Will Dance, meaning that dance is for anyone and everyone, without any barriers of age, size, shape, ability or background. My fabulous team of disciplined, dedicated and extremely passionate dance instructors teaches each class with love and care. They are my true strength, and they keep the students coming back for more.

Our format of training is one of a kind, in that it is appealing and enjoyable to people from all walks of life. Besides, I like to fuse different dance forms with my personal style and develop something new, like SHIAMAK'S INDO JAZZ DANCE MOVEMENT™, SHIAMAK’S BOLLYWOOD JAZZ™ and SHIAMAK’S YOGA - INNER DANCE MOVEMENT™. This has given our classes universal appeal with a unique flavour.

Shiamak, what has been the biggest learning experience for you as you build your brand in Canada?

We shot the song Ishq Bina for Subhash Ghai’s film Taal at the Skydome in Toronto. When I arrived there for the shoot, it was heartening to see that people recognized me and many of them asked when I was going to start my classes in Canada. So I went ahead with Shiamak Davar International (SDI) in Toronto, in the year 2000. I saw some students dressed in salwar kameez in my classes and I realized that Indians who live away from India really want to connect with their culture. Parents were very happy to send their children to my school because they had seen my work in Dil Toh Pagal Hai and Taal, and appreciated our classy Bollywood Jazz style. Today, SDI classes are enjoyed by people from various communities and our latest offering, Shiamak’s Bollywood Dance Workout, has become an instant hit at various community centres in Vancouver, so we’ll soon offer this in other Canadian cities as well. This has taught me that dance has the power to unite people from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, to share experiences and understand each other. 

"Have feet, will dance" epitomises your dance philosophy. What do you think attracts people to SHIAMAK, irrespective of age and gender?

I think what really attracts people to our dance classes, irrespective of age and gender, is that we truly live our philosophy – Have Feet. Will Dance.  Our doors are open to everybody from 4yr to 84 years young. We believe the soul does not age like the body does, so why should you miss out on fun just because another year has gone by? Collegians, grandmothers and senior executives stand shoulder to shoulder in our classes, giving each other strength.

We also give students the opportunity to perform at the end of each batch, at Summer Funk™ and Winter Funk™, our students’ shows. This gives them a complete performing arts experience with professional sound, lights, props, costumes and the thrill of a huge audience.  It really helps to improve their confidence and impacts their lives very positively.

But what keeps the students coming back, more than anything else, is that every class is a fun-filled dance experience. Besides learning dance, they improve their overall wellness and feel positive, relaxed, refreshed, de-stressed and rejuvenated.

Is being part of this still "fun'? What do you enjoy most about your work now?

You have to understand that this is not work to me, this is my labour of love. Part of my philosophy is to enjoy everything I do, and make sure everyone around me enjoys it as much as I do. I enjoy creating, designing, directing, choreographing, writing, and performing. If I am not having fun, I don’t do it. I love what I do. 

What I really enjoy most now, is working with children from my Victory Arts Foundation (VAF). It really makes me happy to see how much joy dancing gives them. There is so much positive energy in their classes, and they need this to stand up to their physical, mental and emotional challenges. Bringing love and laughter into their lives is truly a fulfilling experience. 

For as long as I can remember, you've been very active in working with social causes for charity. What motivates you to continue working for so many good causes? 

My Victory Arts Foundation (VAF) is very close to my heart.  VAF endeavours to share the joy of dance with children who are specially challenged, visually impaired, terminally ill or belong to lesser privileged backgrounds. VAF reaches out to over 5000 children with special needs through its 70 centres across India.

I can’t describe in words the joy and pride that I feel when I see my VAF students perform, reiterating the fact that dance is truly for everyone. Have Feet. Will Dance! Have Spirit. Will Triumph!

Recently we performed a show titled WE CAN to raise funds for the Helen Keller Institute for the Deaf and Deafblind. My dance instructors learnt sign language and trained deaf mute children to dance in sync to the music. You have to see it to believe it. Not only that, they trained a group of deafblind children to dance too. It was an overwhelming experience.

Your new partnership with Reebok must be pretty exciting. How did that come about? 

It has always been my dream to create high-quality dancewear that celebrates the spirit of ‘Have Feet, Will Dance’. I have always designed costumes for my dancers for all our shows and events. Only a dancer can understand truly what dancers need in terms of comfort, style and support in clothing and accessories. These were not readily available in India, and what was available was very limited. Reebok shares our vision in trying hard to make fitness fun, and that’s how the collaboration began. So I designed the Reebok dance gear for my students and dance enthusiasts all over. I have personally designed the SHIAMAK for Reebok Dance Collection which is currently available in stores across India only. The line is inspired purely by dance and includes pants, tanks, sweats, shrugs, t-shirts, and accessories like dance caps, warmers and more.

Your presence in Australia, Middle East and North America is pretty huge for an Indian artistic brand... What's next in terms of expansion for your brand? 

We are definitely looking at expanding to more cities and countries. I have also set up Shiamak’s Victory Arts Foundation in Canada and look forward to start offering dance programs to NGOs in British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta.  Besides, there are a few international projects I am working on but I would rather talk about them when I’m ready. 

 Any more Bollywood productions / work that Canadian audiences can look forward to?

We have a lot in store for Canadian audiences starting with the Stars of Bollywood show that will premier in Vancouver later this month. The show will be staged in Toronto later this year. Details will be posted on our website www.shiamak.com 

Any message to your fans in Canada? When can we expect a live show with Shiamak on stage here in Toronto and/or Vancouver?

I am working on a travelling show which I will certainly bring to Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary.  I want to thank all my students and their parents for supporting me in Canada and across the world. My message to them is - Believe in yourself. Be yourself, no matter what they say.

Adieu to the King

Michael Jackson is dead. The news is everywhere. And still it seems so unreal that the man has passed away at a fairly young age of 50. The media blitz will follow... examining his life, his music and his death. Despite all the controversy and eccentricities, I have always been a fan of his music and for that reason alone, I'll be among the many who mourn his death. Obituaries will follow as will some memorial concerts I'm sure but the legacy will remain unaffected by how the world chooses to commemorate his death. 

As I watch the news coverage about his passing away, I am amazed when I consider that a man at 50 has seen and lived more than most musicians could possibly imagine. From a young child who sang on stage with his siblings to a superstar who performed at the biggest venues around the world - that must have been some kind of trip. And what's amazing is the time he achieved all of this in... For someone who started singing fairly young, he earned a plethora of awards and even a lifetime achievement award well before he was fifty. That's something... 

And I think many people will remember Jackson from their childhood, irrespective of which part of the world they came from. And that's another remarkable achievement. To be able to be recognised in all parts of the world, overcoming language barriers, racism, political affiliations is something. I keep repeating myself by saying "that's something" but honestly, I couldn't possibly think of any other way to describe him. Millions of gushing fans greeted him whenever he visited a city or performed at a show and it didn't matter if their native language was English. For many, he embodied an artistry and talent that went far beyond anything so few have accomplished. 

I think about all the musicians and artists he's influenced. Be it the young crop of musicians like Justin Timberlake or Chris Brown or Beyonce or any of the thousands of other artists that have stated the impact he's had on their musical inspiration and musical preferences. It's a huge vacuum to fill and I wonder if there's anyone who comes close to influencing modern music as much as he has. 

And then there is his contribution to the world of dance. I can't think of anyone who has simply amazed me with the versatility and sheer creativity associated with his dancing... His videos were always way ahead of the pack and I'm still quite amazed watching "Thriller" and "Remember the Time" or "Black or White"... come to think of it, that list of videos that were simply ahead of their time is pretty darn long too... 

No doubt, starting from this moment, there will be tons of news reel dedicated to him, his music and probably all the controversies he found himself in. I'm sure there will be much speculation over the circumstances surrounding his death; there will certainly be news coverage dedicated to his funeral; there will be celebrity reactions to cover and there will be millions of mourning fans who will pay homage. Amidst all of this, I can only hope that his music lives on and plays on well into the years... 

RIP Michael Jackson 1958-2009. 

Take a trip down memory lane by visiting http://www.youtube.com/michaeljackson 

Lists and stuff...

Every once in a while I feel the need to revisit and clean up old playlists. I don't know about you but after a while, I can almost predict what song I can expect to hear on a given list. It's good to shake things up a wee bit and reorganize your music, just so you hear something you may have overlooked in a long time. 

So how do most people organize their playlists? I know a bunch of people who have music lists created according to activities they participate in. For example, the gym or work out list is pretty popular. Load up your mp3 device with a bunch of peppy, fast-paced numbers and I'm told that they serve to motivate you and get your adrenaline going as you work your way through your gym routine. I know many who also use a similar list to run, jog or just cycle. I call this the "get fit" list... 

Then there's the "driving home" list, also known as the "how-to-deal-with-road-rage" list for all those who are routinely stuck in rush-hour traffic on all the various highways in the GTA. If you know this list well, you probably are used to spending long hours in crawling traffic, watching people in the opposite direction speeding by... or worse, if you're a single driver, you probably envy the ones who car pool and get to use the dedicated lane. Life isn't fair, is it?! 

If you're into Yoga or meditation of some kind, chances are that you'll have a list that has a mix of new age, spiritual and fusion music... Think Nitin Sawhney, Shlokas, Buddha Bar... and if you absolutely want still and quiet, you can even find albums that recreate certain environments for you. You can pick from the sounds of a quiet forest or a rushing stream... it's pretty interesting what you can find out there! I call this list the "zen/nirvana" list.

There are times where you're absolutely pissed with the world and you really don't want to hear anyone. Music can be extremely emotional and if you choose some heavy rock to vent, then that's your "blowing off some steam" list. Strangely enough I know lots of people who listen to rock when they want to relax too! Not quite sure how that works but if it works for you, I guess you just stick to it!

If you haven't created lists according to activities, then you've probably gone with Genres. So you'll have the staples - Rap, rock, blues, jazz, hindi, bollywood... the list is endless. And if you're feeling particularly indulgent or in one of those phases where you listen to the same artist all the time, you may go with Artists categorisation. It often amazes me that people can arrange the same music in various different ways. From emotions like happy, sad, angry to environments - romantic, party to just plain old fashioned genres... it's mind-boggling how the human mind experiences music and creates associations that go beyond just names and years of release. At the end of the day, I guess, so long as you're listening to more than the sound of your voice, you really can't go too wrong... 

Counting down to RBC Desifest

So it's finally here. The folks at Desifest have their annual concert on Saturday, May 30th at Yonge-Dundas Square. And if you're in the mood for some fun...desi style, there's no better place to be!

Last year, they had Apache Indian perform live among a bunch of other artists. This year promises to be better, with Raghav scheduled to perform live in Toronto. For the Neanderthals who have been hiding under a rock, Raghav's been around for a while now and has a pretty laidback style of music. A blend of hip hop with reggae and a dash of Bollywood is how I'd describe his style of music. If we have a nice, sunny day, I can promise there's nothing better than to relax, take it easy and listen to the laidback tunes of this versatile singer. I think that may be the reggae vibe kicking in! He has a pretty nifty voice that works equally well in both English and Hindi tracks. So take some time out to listen to this hot singer....

Apart from Raghav, the organisers at DesiFest do a fantastic job at bringing together some of the best South Asian talents around. It's a pretty long list of artists and performers who are scheduled to perform this year. And I have to give credit where it's due... So the organisers of DesiFest... take a bow, for bringing such a versatile mix of performers out to perform...for free!!!

From McMaster, there's an enthusiastic bunch of dancers who have competed at a bunch of competitions with great results. Called the imMACculate dance team, I think they'll be pretty interesting to watch. Then from the mainstream list of artists, you have a smattering of groups and solo artists. There's Amanda Davis, A-Slam (watch this space for an interview soon), DJ Baba Kahn, Blitzkrieg, En Karma, Falak, Jay Deala, Kazak, Logun, Parichay, Prita Chhabra, Saima Khan, SGPD (awesome!) Sukhdev Darapuria, Sumeet... And like me, if you haven't heard all these artists live in the flesh, this Saturday promises to be as good a chance as any!

So come out, show your support and encourage South Asian artists as they perform in downtown Toronto. It promises to be a fun day with some good music and at the beginning of summer, there's nothing more anyone could really ask for!  

The Night of the Underdog...

So, last night was the glittering finale of this season of American Idol. After much hype, shocks and surprises, America can finally turn off its televisions knowing that the underdog is alive and kicking! There certainly is hope (thanks Mr. Obama ;) and there's change too... Kris Allen won the final round in a much-hyped, long-drawn battle. And this one must definitely go down as a big upset for the night (the other being that King James and the Cavaliers lost in a nail-biter with Orlando Magic in the first game of the NBA playoffs... but that's a post for some other time!) 

Allen has been described quite popularly as "the boy-next-door" with his "cute-as-a-button-wife." A native from Arkansas, he wasn't even expected to make the final two. But he did and then went on to be the 2009 Idol last night. America loves histronics and drama and contestants who will cry, gush and have a literal theatrical meltdown on stage. But to his credit, Allen didn't do any of that. Thank God! 

He seemed genuinely surprised but pretty confident and that was cool. I don't care much for over-the-top expressions of victory that include crying, hugging random people, shout-outs to everyone who ever came in contact with the winner... you get the idea. So his comparatively reticient acceptance was a much-needed breath of fresh air.  

The other cool thing about last night's show was that it brought out some really neat performers on stage, some of whom who haven't been seen in a while. Older and with a few more pounds around their middles, they still were pretty amazing. It made me reminisce about old classics from Lionel Ritchie (Hellooooooo!) and Santana and a whole bunch of others. 

To their credit, the contestants who did perform alongside these big names held their own. There was Adam Lambert singing alongside Kiss with their supersized platforms and insane "personas" (calling them costumes seemed a tad harsh!) and Allen singing with Keith Urban and sounding better than the original recording artist! Both finalists collaborated with Queen performing the ultimate sporting anthem - We are the Champions. Cindy Lauper made a return to sing Time after Time with Allison Iraheta, one of the most impressive female voices I've heard in a long time on Idol. Also, I have to mention Danny Gokey, who I think will go far. Originally considered to be the one who would battle it out with Lambert, he was eliminated and Allen found himself in the finals. Still, he made not have made it into the finals but he has a great voice that will make it across airwaves soon, I'm sure. 

All in all, it was a pretty nice way to spend an evening with some good music, despite the Oscar-Golden Globe-inspired somewhat annoying theme. And while Kris Allen is the final winner, I see a bunch of albums being released in the not-so-distant future and once again, all eyes will be on these musicians to see who hits bullseye with record sales and related stats.   

Can you hear the music?

Reality TV just got a lot more interesting. Not to be mysterious, but take a look at the video below and then allow me to explain further...   

That is Adam Lambert singing one of Seal's biggest hits (ever!) and if you've been following American Idol, you probably know who he is. For the rest, the man you see in the videos all over YouTube is a contestant on probably the most hyped reality music show in North America. I haven't been following much of the season and have to admit lost interest a long long time back... And then, I chanced upon watching a couple of videos of this seriously talented guy performing at a club in LA apart from his performances on the television show. And I say seriously talented...again, for added emphasis.

Sure, there are singers dime a dozen and there are some truly blessed ones that can just about hit every note audible to the human ear. And then, there are some that are just gifted. Blessed with fantastic vocals, a not-so-bad looking face, raw energy and oodles of talent. Add persona, and you have a potent mix. I happen to think this guy embodies all of the above. 

The video above is his interpretation of a classic number that is not that easy to sing. He sings it but makes it his own. I still love Seal's version (for nostalgic reasons more than anything else) but this singer made me replay the entire video and have a good listen. Hitting every high note without any perceivable difficulty and just smoothing over parts in a style that's his own, it's no surprise that Lambert is getting as much media attention as he is. From fan clubs to legions who swear by him, there's a buzz around him. And a little search on Wikipedia reveals that he is no stranger to being famous. He's worked on several theatrical plays, worked on musical productions, worked as a child actor, co-starred with Val Kilmer... and a long long list of accomplishments that will be dished out as his resume every time his name is mentioned. 

I'm not sure which stage of the contest American Idol is at right now but I imagine that this particular contestant would be pretty tough to beat. He sings, he dances, he even swoons at the camera (not my favourite part... gives me a scary sense of deja vu... like those Backstreet Boys who'd pout at the camera at every given chance... aargh!) And most important of all, the man is talented. And that, my friends, is how a star is born... Enjoy!  

Jai Ho... didn't deserve an Oscar?

There may be legions of fans who stand by Rahman's Oscar-winning song Jai Ho and there may be lots of others who are intrigued by Bollywood, thanks to Slumdog Millionaire. But one man who certainly isn't thrilled with the outcome is Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh, who coincidentally is scheduled to perform in Toronto later this week.

I think Rahman is a fantastic artist and I absolutely love his music but I have to admit, I didn't think this song would win at the Oscars. I think a couple of other tracks from the album were more worthy of winning an international award. But hey, that's my personal opinion! That also reminds me that I think I've started disliking the song more after hearing the Pussycat Dolls version of it.... Aaargh!

Check out an an article quoted below that conveys in no uncertain terms that Mr. Singh is not the biggest fan of the current trends in Bollywood music... and Jai Ho isn't really much to celebrate about. Jagjit Singh certainly isn't the first one from an older generation of musicians to express their displeasure over current trends of music in Bollywood. Whether that's really deters anyone, I think not.

Anyway, take a look at the article below...

The world might be ga ga over A R Rahman's Oscar winning composition Jai Ho but legendary Ghazal singer, Jagjit Singh finds the song overrated.

The 68-year-old legend who is famous for his candid nature believes that getting the Academy award was a golden moment in Indian history but the song per se did not deserve the honour.

"Getting an Oscar is no doubt a great achievement but the song, for which we got the award, is not so special. Frankly I did not understand on what basis it was awarded," Singh said at a function where he released his new album Inteha.

The Ghazal maestro, said that he did not understand the lyrics of the composition and why it has become so popular that everybody from Indian political parties to International pop bands is eager to use it.

When referred that lyrics for the song has been penned by Gulzar with whom he has given many hits, Singh said, "When I work with Gulzar Sahab I categorically tell him to write such poetry which my fans and I can understand."

Singh, who has composed some hit music for films like Arth and Saath Saath in the 80's does not seem to have a good opinion about today's Bollywood music as he stated, "it lacks profound poetry and soulful tunes".

The singer who started his journey in the film industry as a music composer with Prem Geet in 1981 said, "It (Bollywood music) is cheap music just meant for discotheques with nonsensical lyrics."

Taking a potshot at Delhi-6 hit song Masakali, Singh said that he was puzzled with the usage of offbeat words in the lyrics on Tuesday.

The legend, who is accredited with bringing Ghazal genre, which was previously restricted to the elite classes, to the masses, felt that Ghazal scenario in India was degrading as it lacks good songwriters and passionate singers.

The Baat nikalegi to fir singer, felt that Ghazals were also lacking media patronage. Talking about his idol, Pakistan's famous Ghazal singer, Mehendi Hassan who is reportedly facing an acute economic crunch said, "Government cannot take care of everybody. Successful singers should invest at the right time to secure their future and then come forward to promote others as well."

His latest album was launched 35,000 feet above sea level in an airplane by sitarist Anoushka Shankar.

Singh said, "The album coming after two years was long due for my fans." All 8 tracks of the album, comprising mostly romantic songs and some inspired by philosophy of life, will be released in DVDs and VCDs.

"Today it has become important to make videos of the songs to attract the young crowd. In a way its a good effort as it exposes youngsters to Ghazals and generate their interest in this, otherwise neglected genre of music."

Source: MusicIndiaOnline.com, Byline: PTI  

 

The sounds of summer

I've had as much as I can take of miserably cold weather. Sudden impromptu showers of rain, bizarre bursts of ice and snow, or windy afternoons that pretend to announce the arrival of Spring. Aaargh! So to make things better for my own state of mind, I decided the only way I could feel better if I did some planning for summer. And that primarily means that I'm listing out some interesting concerts over the next few months. So between lazy BBQ's and Summerlicious indulgences and everything in between, here's my summer wish-list that may pique your interest...

Last night, Jay Sean kicked off the month of April when it comes to concerts. Kitchener was his only stop in Ontario as he tours promoting his latest album My Own Way. If you made it out there, let me know, I'd love to hear your thoughts about the show....

Looking ahead to this weekend, I'm super excited about SEAL. He is performing on Saturday evening (April 4) at the Roy Thompson Hall. I'm surprised I haven't heard more about this but nevertheless, this one might be really interesting. I've always felt he is highly underrated and apart from being married to supermodel Heidi Klum, you don't hear too much about him.

April 12 sees the master himself, Jagjit Singh live in concert at the Roy Thompson Hall. For all those who've swooned over his soothing voice, and romantic ghazals, this is a great opportunity to hear him in person.

Tom Cochrane makes the Trillium Gala event on April 24th something to look forward to. Also you can help contribute towards a great cause by attending at the Mississauga Convention Centre. You can grab more details on Mybindi.com

Diana Krall is etched in my brain as the beautiful voice who sang Autumn Leaves. She performs on April 30 and May 1 at Massey Hall. Anyone who enjoys jazz should head on down for this concert.

Franz Ferdinand will be in the house on May 4. This one sounds interesting and I'm sure loyal legions of fans are already counting down the days. You can include me on that list...

The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen, is scheduled to appear before Toronto audiences on May 7. After his Superbowl performance, I'm sure this one will be highly anticipated. I've heard his live shows are pretty darn good.

This one is a very very interesting collaboration. Elton John and Billy Joel - two master musicians who are performing at the ACC on Tuesday, May 26 and Saturday, May 30. 

I'm so proud to note that DesiFest will be back at the end of May at the signature Dundas Square venue. I'm sure more details will be up soon so be sure to check this space. It's a fantastic showcase of South Asian talent so come out, show your support and enjoy some fabulous music.

The Toronto Jazz Festival is back during June and it's a cool way to hear some amazing artists play right here in the city. The fest continues from June 26 to July 05 2009.

Coldplay will be here soon! Yay! Scheduled to perform at the Rogers Centre on June 30, this one is not to be missed. I've already marked the date on my calendar and I'm looking forward to this for sure... 

If you want some mellow acoustics from the man himself, Bryan Adams will be playing at the Roy Thompson Hall on August 13th. I have to admit to being a softie about this and it's going to be a trip down memory lane unless he brings out some new material. 

 And finally, U2 will be bringing down the house on September 16 and 17 at the Rogers Centre. I can only imagine this will be close to their 3-D concert experience film that was released last year, if I'm not mistaken.

Now, my biggest gripe is that I haven't heard or seen more of South Asian artists scheduled to play this summer. So if you know of artists who have scheduled performances over summer, drop me a note at savia@mybindi.com. And apart from my personal wish-list, if you think there are some others worth a mention, let us know!

The Sound of Silence

Have you ever sat perfectly still and just listened to silence? No sounds or different notes streaming into your ear canal. There's absolutely no waves being emitted into your ears from your faithful MP3 player nor are they are tunes being sent your way from the friendly neighbourhood radio jockey. Have you ever expereinced that in all its entirety? Try it once, if you haven't already. 

It's a pretty profound experience if you've tried it in its truest form. You could consider it a form of meditation but it's much more than that. It still is an activity that involves listening. But the listening experience is very different from the usual cacophony that assaults your ears everyday. Meditating also implies shutting your eyes, finding a quiet spot somewhere and just delving deep into some kind of meditative state of mind where your focus is to calm yourself or just be.

Listening to nothing at all can be both, liberating and a slightly frightening experience. You feel humbled and proud at the same. Humbled because you feel like a small speck in the universe, and since you don't hear anything, you don't react and you really have no input into any action or consequence that may be. You feel proud because you appreciate all the sounds you hear everyday. I could never imagine a life where I am unable to appreciate all the beautiful music that's playing in the world at any given point in time. Something as inane as the rattling of train cars as they speed past on iron rails takes on a whole new dimension once you've heard nothing. It's fascinating and you hear some kind of music. Definitely not a hallucination, in case you're wondering!

In any case, going back to the very concept of listening to silence, it's an interesting process if you haven't done it before. Even when I've practised Yoga or go for a walk, I'm always accompanied by my trusty iPod. Or just plain music in the background. Music seemed to define the space I'm in and set the tone for that moment. Without it, with silence, the possibilities are endless. You come to appreciate the openness and unlimited possibilities of silence. It allows you to tune into your own thought process. In a funny way, it reminds me of all those times I'd "zone out" in class and didn't really hear the teacher or someone talking to me, even though I was physically present in that moment. Told that I was "daydreaming," I'd be offended because I've never been a daydreamer but I guess, I just wasn't listening to sound. In my own head, I'd manage to tune out sounds I didn't want to hear and heard absolutely nothing. So I guess, the skill to appreciate silence and hear nothing was always present, just not a skill I practised often. That's going to change pretty soon, huh?

It's nice to be disconnected and disentagle yourself from the regular going-ons in your life. Just listening to nothing at all worked for me... Give it a shot, it's surprisingly nice!

Outside in

Slumdog Millionaire is a roaring success. There's no disputing that. But this blog is not another ode to the film or the music. It's about the renewed interest in Bollywood and its inimitable dancing. The last song of the film, which had the cast dancing at a railway station seems to have created a lot of interest about our desi song and dance. Don't know what I'm talking about? Check out the Jaya Hai video below. But it's not quite the version you're expecting... it's taken from the Ellen DeGeneres show version featuring the Freida Pinto and Dev Patel...courtesy YouTube, of course. 

This video got me thinking of the innumerable Bollywood numbers that took place on a train station. Seriously, this is Bollywood, trains are a common theme! Take a look and allow yourself a mid-week smile... :) 

There's the original chocolate boy of Bollywood cinema - Rishi Kapoor and a demure Padmini Kolhapure.

If that video was too far back in time, you have to got to be able to recognize this one... with a scorching Malaika Arora and King Khan atop a train... (where else?!) 

Continuing with our flashback, there's this number featuring Asha Bhonsle and Mohd. Rafi. A qawwali from the film The Burning Train, the song is from way, way back and features Bollywood's Jumping Jack, Mr. Jeetendra himself! 

Then there's this one... a legendary train song...featuring Rajesh Khanna (Twinkle Khanna's father) singing to his ladylove, Sharmila Tagore (Saif Ali Khan's mom!) in the train! And now that my brain is thinking about trains (that kinda rhymes!) and is on the right track (couldn't resist this one!), there are a bunch of other videos where the heroine or hero has their typical dream sequence in a train... so there you have it, trains are not just boring ol' machines to transport people from place to place. When you're in Bollywood, jump on a train and sing that Bollywood tune...