When I was in high school, I happened to hear "Careless Whispers" being played in my friend's car. The mellifluous voice impressed me so much. Those days, I was not much into western music so I did not have any idea about the singer. When I inquired,I got to know that George Michael had sung that song. My friend suggested another song of his, "Last Christmas". I managed to listen to that on the radio some time. But I loved "Careless Whispers" a lot. Even now I am still in awe of that song. So I just knew George Michael as the singer who sang "Careless Whispers".
As I opened up to the western music gradually, I got to hear his other hits- Father Figure, Faith, Kissing a Fool, Jesus To a Child, Fast Love and so on. All these songs ensured that he became one of my favorite singers quite fast.:)
The other day, when I mentioned George Michael as my favorite singer, someone asked me, "How can you like him? He is a gay. He was also a drug addict!!!! He has lead such a controversial life!!" Well, I have always loved good music. And for me, George Michael is one helluva talented musician and it is all that matters. I do not want to know what he is in his personal life. It is his life. But definitely we have to be thankful to him for giving us such great music.
His "Jesus to a child" can move you into tears. His "Fast Love" can make you jive. His "Kissing a Fool" can make you philosophical. His intense, soulful, melodious voice is his biggest positive point.
My mom is a classical musician. She usually never listens to western music. Once I was playing "Careless Whispers" loud. She just came to my room and heard the complete song. And then she wanted to know who sang it. Since that day, she has been a great fan of George Michael. Nopes, she has not heard any other song of his. But she is in total love with "Careless Whispers".:)) And I think that is a great compliment for one of my favorite singers.:))))
What am I listening to right now: Careless Whispers
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Monday, April 09, 2007
Those eleven days of bliss!
I had just attended one pravachana (discourse) last year by Swami Brahmananda (from Chinmaya Mission) on Bhagavad Gita. I was impressed and thought that he was a very good orator. But then, due to time constraint I could not attend on other days.
So this time, I almost jumped with joy when I got to know that a 11-day pravachana on a book called "Mukunda Mala" would be held by Swami Brahmananda at the temple. I decided that I would try my best to attend it on all the eleven days.
Mukunda Mala is a book of devotional verses written by Kulashekhara, a king. These selfless, beautiful prayers have been written for Lord Krishna or Mukunda.
Those eleven days of pravachana gave me absolute serenity. It was difficult, in fact, to rush from office to home and then to the temple for the discourse. It was very tiring indeed. But as I sat listening to Swamiji, all my weariness disappeared and I felt rejuvenated. Swami Brahmananda's discourses are very simple and straight and therefore reaches a layman very easily. I loved the way he recited the verses from Mankutimmana Kagga very aptly and frequently. His command over language, music and books made each pravachana an interesting experience. Never for a minute did I feel like leaving in between.
Of course, the audience comprised mostly of the elderly community. So I did get some surprising glances while attending the pravachana. That makes me wonder about one thing- why does not the youth find pravachanas interesting? Why do they assume that it is meant for people above 60? In fact, when you look closely, these pravachanas teach you the way of living. So I think it is actually more useful to people who are starting their lives rather than to people who are at the brink of their lives! Well, that is entirely my opinion.:)
It is not that the pravachana changed my entire life and made me a new person. But it definitely opened a window of my life to let in more optimism and faith in the almighty.
What am I listening to right now: Tere Bin by Rabbi Shergill
So this time, I almost jumped with joy when I got to know that a 11-day pravachana on a book called "Mukunda Mala" would be held by Swami Brahmananda at the temple. I decided that I would try my best to attend it on all the eleven days.
Mukunda Mala is a book of devotional verses written by Kulashekhara, a king. These selfless, beautiful prayers have been written for Lord Krishna or Mukunda.
Those eleven days of pravachana gave me absolute serenity. It was difficult, in fact, to rush from office to home and then to the temple for the discourse. It was very tiring indeed. But as I sat listening to Swamiji, all my weariness disappeared and I felt rejuvenated. Swami Brahmananda's discourses are very simple and straight and therefore reaches a layman very easily. I loved the way he recited the verses from Mankutimmana Kagga very aptly and frequently. His command over language, music and books made each pravachana an interesting experience. Never for a minute did I feel like leaving in between.
Of course, the audience comprised mostly of the elderly community. So I did get some surprising glances while attending the pravachana. That makes me wonder about one thing- why does not the youth find pravachanas interesting? Why do they assume that it is meant for people above 60? In fact, when you look closely, these pravachanas teach you the way of living. So I think it is actually more useful to people who are starting their lives rather than to people who are at the brink of their lives! Well, that is entirely my opinion.:)
It is not that the pravachana changed my entire life and made me a new person. But it definitely opened a window of my life to let in more optimism and faith in the almighty.
What am I listening to right now: Tere Bin by Rabbi Shergill
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