tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71288013042169865742024-03-06T06:20:17.899+05:30My Not So Random Thoughtschandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-50675534004066750612015-12-12T23:22:00.000+05:302015-12-13T15:18:07.728+05:30Presenting 'Juhu Beach'!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Mention Juhu Beach, and the first reaction is, oh, there is nothing like the beaches in Goa... and the conversation ends right there. While there are thousands thronging the huge stretch of the Juhu Beach everyday, another thousand choose to stay as far away from it as possible, citing the place dirty! Well, if so many felt that it was dirty and definitely not worth going with kids, and absolutely not taking a bunch of them for a playdate... my curiosity only grew...<br />
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My daughter's school is opposite the beach, though rows of fancy houses block the view! After school, one day, both of us decided to go and check out the beach. We went to a quieter part of the beach, and Anushka's first reaction was, "who says Juhu Beach is dirty?!" I was shockingly surprised too! It was clean, not just by Indian standards, but by decent global standards.<br />
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When we visited Spain and Portugal last July the beaches on the Mediterranean and The Atlantic were definitely prettier, but they were dirty too in some parts. The beach at the centre of Barcelona was full of beer bottles, crowns and cigarette butts, and not to mention topless women everywhere! It was quite a task to make Anushka not see those women, and yet letting her have her share of fun!<br />
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A playdate was organised for my daughter and some of her school friends today. Not just the kids, but the mothers had a blast too! The 'haters' and the-only-discouraging-ones may change their minds if they read this post, but I just hope the authorities continue to do the good work of keeping Mumbai clean. Hope the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' does not become a part of history as a mere campaign!<br />
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Here are some photographs from our playdate today :)<br />
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-62455957296905329622015-10-25T16:43:00.000+05:302016-05-19T14:41:09.324+05:30Street Musicians Across The World<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"If music be the food of love (life), play on..." - using a part of the famous lines of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare... music transcends all boundaries and brings people together.</div>
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Here's my tribute to the wonderful street musicians all over the world who perform in public squares, gardens and markets to enthrall different sets of tourists and locals everyday for a paltry reward.</div>
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1. At a local market in Bangkok here is a blind guitarist playing his music to the passerby. He has a microphone and an amplifier to be heard around!</div>
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2. An elderly couple performs almost non-stop at the Plaza Mayor, Madrid, belting out popular Spanish songs like Besame Mucho.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. One of my favourites... Sitting on a chair at M<span style="background-color: white;">iradouro</span><span style="background-color: white;"> in </span>the Alfama region of Lisbon </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">this old man can give many trained classical guitar professionals a run for their money... his playing was effortless and soulful!</span></div>
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3. An accordian player with hi-tech gadgets plays different genre of music seated under a lamp post outside the Royal Palace of Madrid.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">4. At the <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;">Kapellbrücke, Lucerne, this old man played his small accordion while people walked on...</span></span></div>
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5. This performance was one of a kind... alphorn players at a square in Lucerne.<br />
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-71238062924796530322014-03-28T15:54:00.000+05:302014-03-31T02:10:35.558+05:30Anushka at Euro Kids!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Here are the 3 wonderful ladies who have been very important in my Anushka's world. They taught her, looked after her and most importantly loved her. Anushka dotes on her Lupali (Rupali) Teacher, Bhavya Teacher and Zaitun Aunty! Joy and I are extremely happy that we chose Euro Kids for our daughter and that she found such wonderful teachers; we couldn't have asked for more.</div>
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My little darling finished Nursery and will be starting Lower KG at Maneckji from next Tuesday. Wasn't she born just yesterday! Today was the last day at Euro Kids; we were all teary eyed while saying our goodbyes. The first teachers are always very special and I want Anushka to feel that way when she grows up. As for me, all I will say, I wasn't this sad when I finished my school as I was with Anushka leaving Euro Kids... well, that's very typical of a mother. Surprisingly, I found a-very-much-in control-of-emotions Joy looking sad while picking Anushka from Euro Kids for the last time!</div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-70263768553522348452014-03-12T02:17:00.000+05:302014-03-31T02:07:30.586+05:30Age does matter!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the past 1 month, on 2 separate occasions, I accidentally referred to myself as 'young' and 'girl'... the latter being the most embarrassing! Thanks to my presence of mind and a decent level of communication skills I managed to divert the topic and save my face! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, no matter how much we want to feel young we need to act and say and do things that are relevant to the age; and that's the beauty of life! It did strike me both times and just made me realise that life isn't the same anymore. Guess I feel a little less odd that I am 39, and that it's ok to be my age because I have a daughter. But, I find many people around me who can't handle the fact that they are getting older! To me it's more important to be physically and mentally fit to stay "young" rather than behave stupid to prove a point (and make a complete fool of oneself!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By the way, I had a 2-day birthday celebration this time! Anushka blew the candle, cut my cake, fed me some cake and had some herself, went to her favourite play area at a mall and had a blast! I couldn't have asked for more!</span></div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-2251749447633345362013-08-15T23:44:00.000+05:302014-03-12T00:33:42.922+05:303 year old Anushka's tribute to the nation!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My 3 year old daughter Anushka is definitely one of the very few of her age to be so patriotic! Why not, she was born on August 15! Yesterday, when we went shopping for her birthday she sang "Jana Gana Mana" repeatedly covering almost the entire stretch of Lokhandwala (Mumbai) holding the National Flag in her tiny hand! Her rendition of the National Anthem, in my opinion, is the most heartfelt, though her words are not very clear. Watch the video to figure out for yourself! I don't know who to thank for this, the almighty or her lovely teachers at Eurokids? Whoever it is, I am a happy mother! She doesn't know what a nation is and why is there an anthem; for a child it's not necessary. I just hope she feels the same enthusiasm, and learn to feel the emotion while singing the National Anthem when she grows up. She also loves the fact that her favourite Robi Thakur (Rabindranath Tagore) composed "Jana Gana Mana"!</span></div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-8889557575891343682013-07-31T00:30:00.001+05:302015-03-12T02:18:53.854+05:30Sale begins and so does shopping!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How life changes with the passing of time.... I started writing this post while I was waiting in a huge queue at Shoppers Stop yesterday, and I'm finally finishing it now (I have no control over time)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There was a time, not so long ago, when going out shopping meant buying stuff for myself and sometimes for others. Now, the focus of buying is only on Anushka.
I walked the length and breadth of a fairly large Inorbit Mall, Malad Mumbai looking for things that are good and worth buying, but I didn't feel like buying anything for myself! It's not that I don't need anything; in fact, I badly need a whole lot of things! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">During the off season sale at malls the clothes, in particular, are not always that reasonable; they are often over priced and some of the stuff are unbelievably rotten! Wonder who designs them and who wears them! It's my baby's birthday next month and I have the onus of buying things on her grandparents' behalf. I went to Shoppers Stop and Lifestyle twice each and scouted like mad to find just a few things that interested me. I got tired and gave up, hence I'll have to go back again!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For now, I got two really cute dresses, a Snow White figure toy (one more to add to our Disney collection) and a Dora Snakes and Ladder game! I'm not sure if Anushka would have any interest in these beyond a few minutes, but I know I enjoyed shopping for these in spite of getting tired hunting around for something worthwhile! It's almost as if I am fulfilling my unfulfilled wishes and reliving my childhood again!</span></div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-70086893435491143572013-07-09T00:40:00.001+05:302013-07-10T22:08:21.913+05:30And the music begins...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At 2 years and 11 months Anushka had her 1st music lesson on the keyboard! She knows what are high notes and low notes, she identifies the black notes from the white. She can even identify groups of 2 and 3 black notes. She can identify all C's on the keyboard and also knows that there is a Middle C; she doesn't know which one is middle C though! The 10 minute lesson ended with a promise that I'll let her play the piano when she's 5!</span></div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-20371039488819574632013-04-02T01:51:00.001+05:302015-03-12T02:20:54.872+05:30Recycling plastic bottles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have been selling all used plastic bottles, boxes, and all other plastic things that are waste in my home to the local scrap buyer (kabadiwala) for many years. I know for a fact that if a kabadiwala is paying me money to buy old plastic then there ought to be a reason for it. I googled and figured that used plastic is crushed and processed to make different things, but I did not find a well written document which explained what really happens with all this plastic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just today, I read an article in the newspaper which gave me more reasons not to throw away the plastic that gets accumulated at home into the garbage bin. My husband sometimes makes fun of me, and my parents and sister think that I'm mad. Don't know what my friends would call me; I never discuss my recycling madness with them. I know what I'm doing and I'm happy being myself!</span><br />
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-33379877376073312762013-01-21T15:35:00.000+05:302015-03-12T02:22:13.728+05:30School admission dilemma!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Getting through to a good school in the Indian big cities is no joke. The reasons for this varies from one city to another.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our main criterion for a good school is that it should be inclusive. School ranking etc. can be secondary as we don't even know what our daughter wants to become when she grows up. If she wants to study any form of performing arts in Berkley or The Julliard School, no elite Indian school can get her there unless she has the talent and we have the means to be a part of such schools!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For now, Anushka will go to either a regular (good) school, if she gets through; or, she starts at a pre-school.</span></span></div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-75359606653459565622012-12-30T15:19:00.000+05:302015-10-02T20:07:42.958+05:302012 is ending...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The one thing I really wished for was <a href="http://www.chandrimawrites.blogspot.in/2012/01/and-so-this-is-2012.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">peace and happiness in this seemingly chaotic and unpredictable world</span></a> when I wrote
my new year post early January this year. Sadly, through the year, in spite of many
highs on the personal front, several unfortunate incidents happened all around
the world, and all of those affected me deeply. The young Delhi girl who was
brutally tortured only to die was no friend of mine, but her death has a deep
impact on me, and I know the dent that has formed will take a long time to
fill. Every time I muster some courage to get on with life something bad happens,
and I am back to square one. I often wonder how will I bring up my daughter,
what values do I pass on? No, that’s not the exact question… I am worried about
how will I keep my daughter safe, and yet, give her a reasonably independent
life? I am sure that most Indian mothers with young daughters have this
question on their minds at this very moment!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Protests, debates, candle light march, interviews… they all
happen, but cruelty towards people just keeps going on and on and on. Today, in
spite of all the good and the bad things happening around the world, I am
living my life just like any other day; just that I am a little more shaken
inside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tomorrow when I celebrate the coming of the new year with my
family and friends I will be a little unsure about what to expect of the coming
year. One thing that I am sure going to pray for is safety for my
immediate family first and then everybody else. With such amount of filth in
the society who knows if my family becomes the next victim!</span></div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-90503577901698195552012-11-26T01:40:00.001+05:302014-11-02T19:51:21.864+05:30Diwali decorations!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't celebrate Diwali as such, but I like the idea of lights and decoration everywhere. Mumbai literally dresses up during Diwali. This year I decorated my house a bit as I wanted Aanya to know what Diwali is. Had I not fallen ill I would've done a lot more. I also want her to understand and appreciate the need to recycle things and value all that she has. Hence, most of the decorations at our home were reused, like the diyas, streamers etc. or recycled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I made paper diyas from some lovely paper I had at home. Here's one below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmlZBxN7UkT76UZAdILn8l5aWxp2QbBa20FRB5ojdwMJ0QkenVBrP8EgI4Epo7XfoWefouMT4PnUyZ4LMHlE2glJTMBjbuIr6woDB4P84zjute0Mz7dadQ8XVN3gLOozVRzvjxpib7ymo/s1600/20121113_191419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmlZBxN7UkT76UZAdILn8l5aWxp2QbBa20FRB5ojdwMJ0QkenVBrP8EgI4Epo7XfoWefouMT4PnUyZ4LMHlE2glJTMBjbuIr6woDB4P84zjute0Mz7dadQ8XVN3gLOozVRzvjxpib7ymo/s1600/20121113_191419.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am not too fond of electric lights that most people put up in houses. I love the conventional diyas. But this year the problem was about safety. I couldn't put any diya where Aanya could reach. So, Joy stretched outside the ledge in the living room and placed the diyas, and kept reoiling them too! I stood on the ledge to take the pic below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9pJ_CGoqZAUiPZy43GV0xeueAFYhRnvTMTitPiJqdsK2xiv4WYTVeLZmYCeO_TQ3tVbKumSHu5hgs2fiaUwD8DJHL-b2cCdD2I4CoLIOZvFy7Yqd7qHxg16ROOQGhcqVK-o4VHmeq6oP/s1600/20121113_191223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9pJ_CGoqZAUiPZy43GV0xeueAFYhRnvTMTitPiJqdsK2xiv4WYTVeLZmYCeO_TQ3tVbKumSHu5hgs2fiaUwD8DJHL-b2cCdD2I4CoLIOZvFy7Yqd7qHxg16ROOQGhcqVK-o4VHmeq6oP/s1600/20121113_191223.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-52594785763239780922012-11-25T00:34:00.001+05:302014-11-02T19:47:51.885+05:30Recycled toy holder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love cane baskets to keep things, and I planned to buy a big basket for my daughter to keep her toys in them. While cleaning up the house I found a lot of cardboard boxes lying around, and one of the boxes gave me an idea. I believe in recycling, and I spend a lot of time recycling different kinds of things. I didn't realise when this became a hobby. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I pulled out the scanner-printer carton and cut the top flaps and it was ready to use. Initially I thought of putting colourful paper and pictures to make the box look nice. Later I decided to paste my 2 year old daughter's beautiful drawings to adorn the box. This I felt would make her toy holder look very unique and she'll enjoy using it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9dY9B3-LViPQ_kjFRRsGUX6BdfVof_HTJkqFne3QoRZlocMB0BBNquxb5oZGetBw8WGxPYltPb2k9FVLCii3rOuDWCe9OdDWLg-NVtllacloDlRzjInPDUwrh3RZQEuVBv1E0DQcXCn0/s1600/DSCN1662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9dY9B3-LViPQ_kjFRRsGUX6BdfVof_HTJkqFne3QoRZlocMB0BBNquxb5oZGetBw8WGxPYltPb2k9FVLCii3rOuDWCe9OdDWLg-NVtllacloDlRzjInPDUwrh3RZQEuVBv1E0DQcXCn0/s320/DSCN1662.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This box may not last too long. But, this post will bring back childhood memories to my daughter when she grows up!</span></div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-81678518110195825732012-11-22T01:18:00.000+05:302012-11-22T23:05:12.020+05:30Kasab dead... is justice served?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today as I read <a href="http://www.chandrimawrites.com/2008/11/who-has-answer.html?m=1" target="_blank">this</a> I remember that night I was glued to the tv just hoping and praying that the terrorists are caught and life in Mumbai gets to normal. Later in the morning I fell off to sleep for some time only to suddenly wake up to the sound of the tv. The news of the dead made me shudder inside. I still remember some of the faces of people who either lost a family member or just survived by luck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Four years have passed. Everybody has moved on in life, and so have I. But i know that I am not the same person I used to be. I live in fear of death every single day. No matter how hard I try the fear inside me is intact. I think I'm scared of losing someone dear rather than fearing about myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ajmal Kasab is finally dead. Finally the martyrs and those who died on that fateful day rest in peace. Judgement is done. Just that people like me need to know of many more criminals' deaths to live in peace.</span><br />
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For the record, <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Ajmal Kasab's execution is believed to be the second quickest in</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> India. Considering that the second quickest execution took almost 4 years I am not sure whether I should be happy or utterly astonished. </span></span></div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-67423490840977907632012-10-10T01:38:00.000+05:302015-09-28T20:22:12.956+05:30My tribute to a genius called Jagjit Singh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last year on September 24 I heard on the television that Jagjit Singh was hospitalised after suffering brain haemmorage, and in the next few days the news only got gloomier. On October 10 he passed away. He created a void in the music world, especially in the ghazal singing fraternity; he also created a void in my life. I haven't had the privilege of knowing him, nor even meeting him, yet I felt a huge loss in my heart. I guess that's what the 'greats' do. Through their works they become a part of your life, your world!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was introduced to Jagjit Singh's music at home. I was about 7, when there used be endless small, informal parties at my place. There was always good food and drinks, and a lot of music. In most of those sessions Jagjit and Chitra Singh's music was played as their music was everyone's favourite! This was life for me and my family and friends and it went on. One day we heard about the death of Jagjit and Chitra Singh's son, and soon we realised that Chitra Singh would no longer sing. Like typical Bengalis, who like to discuss everything (almost), they discussed the tragic death, Chitra Singh's absence from singing etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Many years passed and I had moved on to listening to more western music than Indian. It was just by chance that I met a few people while I lived in Hyderabad, who quite unknowingly and unintentionally got me back into the world of Jagjit Singh's ghazals; and, this time I guess I became a more intense fan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've had the privilege of attending two of his concerts in Hyderabad, and what musical treats they were! The man was a genius! I remember the second concert that I went for, he was not well, but one couldn't tell! He was at his best throughout! We refer to him as a singer, a ghazal maestro, but what is hardly spoken about him is that of his performance style. It is rare that a singer from a serious genre of music entertaining the crowd while performing at the highest level. Most Indian classical and semi classical artists sit with a tanpura or a harmonium and sing and talk about the songs or the ragas only. Jagjit Singh would crack a joke and get back to singing some of the most difficult notes without any effort, leaving the audience spellbound!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, on his first death anniversary, I pray to the almighty that He keeps our dear Jagjit Singhji safe and happy. His genius is irreplaceable, but I do hope that there will be enough talent to keep his legacy going.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These 2 tickets are a part of my most treasured possessions! In fact, I went to Viceroy (now Marriott) in Hyderabad all by myself to watch this concert! It was a bit awkward to sit all alone amidst so many people around, but as the evening progressed with one gem after another I became one with the music around me. <i>"Badi nashili raat thi..."</i></span></div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-43148005173882667072012-10-08T22:00:00.000+05:302012-10-29T00:20:21.406+05:30The grind begins - school admissions!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I picked up Anushka's 1st school admission form today... I said 1st as I'll have to pick up many more so that she gets a seat in one of the good schools! It is not easy to get your child in one of the top schools in the city unless you are quite rich or famous or both! Joy and I are none! But, we will do our best to get Anushka in one among the 4 schools I have shortlisted. They are counted among the best in the whole of Mumbai and the most preferred and sought after in the Western suburbs of Mumbai. I don't know who needs more luck, Anushka or me? </span><span style="background-color: white;">But in all of these tense moments, i</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">t is such a wonderful feeling that my baby is soon going to go to school! :)</span></span></div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-87667472543151260472012-08-17T23:56:00.002+05:302012-10-29T00:30:57.332+05:30Anushka turns 2!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have been planning this day for a few months. There have been nights when I was awake, and thinking of all the things that we'd do on our little one's birthday. I believe in doing things myself, and that becomes quite a challenge often, like putting streamers, balloons etc. I had no idea that putting streamers along the edges of the ceiling can be such a task! I spent many hours planning how to put them, and imagined for a few more hours as to how will they look like, but my planning failed completely because of the shape of the room, the fans etc! Thank God, Joy was such a sport and my mother-in-law was around to help!</div>
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I wanted the birthday to be a simple one, but it had to have all the fun elements. Visiting Sneha Sadan is no plan, it has become a part of our lives. Even before I conceived Anushka, Joy and I had decided that we will visit either an orphanage or an old age home for her birthday, and also have a regular get together with family and friends. It was just by chance we got to know about Sneha Sadan right before Anushka's 1st birthday and we visited there. We didn't have to think or plan anything after meeting everyone; without saying anything Joy and I knew that it is this lovely home that we will visit whenever we want to! In the 1 year we have built a bond with the children and the sisters, and they will always be a part of our lives.</div>
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We went to Sneha Sadan in the afternoon as we organised lunch for them. The children decided what they wanted to eat and accordingly, food was ordered. I'm not too keen that Anushka cuts a cake at Sneha Sadan as I don't want to remind the children another time that they don't have parents to take care of them. I know their pain and hurt and regret can never be reduced, but I don't want too add to what's already there. So, the plan was to have another 2 children whose birhdays were in August too to cut the cake along with Anushka... everyone cheered and sang , and it was such a beautiful moment! I hope my Anushka grows up to cherish these extra ordinary moments.</div>
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There was an early evening get together with family, and some of my students who Anushka just loves! Anushka loves ducks, her bath time mates! So, Joy suggested that we have a duck shaped cake. After a lot of research we decided on a Donald Duck cake from Birdy's (our favourite cake shop). It goes without saying that the cake was heavenly to taste!</div>
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I always wanted to play the piano while singing the birthday song for my family, but that never happened, and another 1st time experience in my life happened with Anushka!</div>
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Here's the video!</div>
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Anushka participated during a game of passing-the-parcel by moving her hands and legs, as if she was dancing, while the music played! I think she loves gifting people; that was one thing she thoroughly enjoyed... giving away the return gifts!</div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-85719975613507934252012-08-13T15:37:00.002+05:302012-08-13T15:37:20.714+05:30Four years of blogging and the Olympics!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I started blogging 4 years ago the day Abhinav Bindra won the first individual gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. I was so happy that my country got a place at the medals tally with a gold medal that I wanted to do something, and I dared to step into blogging! The past 4 years I have blogged about a variety of things that touched my heart, and today I am writing this post as many Indian athletes have touched my heart and their achievements make me happy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To start with, what a lovely way to mark the last day of Olympics 2012... wrestler Sushil Kumar scripted history in Indian sports by winning medals in 2 consecutive Olympics! My favourites, Saina Nehwal and Mary Kom created history too! I am sure these 2 women will continue to play exceedingly well and make us all proud for a long time to come! Parupalli Kashyap was such a surprise at the Olympics this time! If he continues to play like this then the day isn't far when he too will bag an Olympic medal too! Vijay Kumar, another unsung hero, got a sliver medal - how many of us knew him before he won the medal? Through the 2 weeks there were so many highs, many really disheartening moments, some really disappointing moments, but on the whole, India has done a pretty good job this time at the Olympics. 6 individual medals in 1 Olympics is definitely a fairly encouraging thought. Who knows we may double it up at Rio in 2016! </span></div>
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chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-31675992610698895352012-07-23T01:36:00.001+05:302012-07-23T01:37:04.858+05:30A new beginning!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">One of my new students in one of the schools (not mentioning the name) is autistic. I know a little about autism, but this was the first time I met anyone with the condition. Though it was difficult to get his attention at the start, and make him play the piano; however, towards the end of the session he showed me the middle C on the piano and responded when I called his name. I felt it was a good start!</span>
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<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This school has quite a few children with various difficulties, and weak motor skills is the most common. Some of these children come to the music class, and respond quite well. And, when they are given a little extra attention they play correct notes on the piano! But this autistic boy's condition is a little bad, though he is good at math!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I always wanted to work with differently abled children, but I did not have the courage to do so mainly because of lack of training and experience. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Life, however, has presented me with this wonderful opportunity to prove to myself whether I can really do something to make a difference to those children who are a little different from most of us! </span></span></div>
</div>chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-84644839180658140272012-07-17T23:00:00.000+05:302012-07-18T02:12:26.485+05:30London Olympics 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Olympics 2012 is just 10 days away, and how much do the Indians know about the Indian contingent who are going to paricipate at the London games? There has been bits and pieces in the newspapers about some of the participants for some time now, and suddenly, there are write-ups about quite a few of the participants in the past week or so. There is a little on television as well, thanks to the sponsors! But, the excitement that gets built during the IPL matches or the regular cricket matches or the European football tournaments, there's almost nothing for the Olympics, sad isn't it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The tiff between Lee and Hesh made headlines for many days; hoping it is kinda sorted now! Wonder how will Sania Mirza perform at the Olympics! She is more of a star than a real player!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last Olympics, at Beijing, some Indians made us hugely proud. Abhinav Bindra brought home the 1st individual gold medal! Sushil Kumar and Vijender Singh's bronze medals did encourage many to take up boxing and wrestling! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Over the 4 years I have come to know a little about a few sports people, like, Mary Kom, <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">Krishna Poonia, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">Ngangbam Soniya Chanu and a few others.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">India is particpating in 13 categories. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">I know about all the 6 badminton players and most of the boxers... wow! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">I can be quizzed on them; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">I completely admire </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">Mary Kom! Some of the shooters, besides Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang, have become famous like<b> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;">Ronjan Singh and Sodhi</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;">Rahi Sarnobat. Among the ace archers brother-sister duo Rahul and Dola Banerjee, Dola will be missed! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px;">Do we know</span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22px;"> </strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">Garima Choudhary will represent Indian as only Indian judoka to qualify for the upcoming London Olympics.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"> I didn't know what judoka was till a couple of weeks ago!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">The Indian sports fraternity needs more support. There isn't much difference from the last Olympics till now. The Indian Government is so deeply immersed in scams and mismanagement that there is no time left to concentrate on sports (other than cricket of course!). It is only because of some sports enthusiasts that there is a significant improvement in quality and facility in the past 4 years.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Through this post I am wishing Team India all the very best! My favourites are Saina Nehwal, Abhinav Bindra and Mary Kom, but I am going to cheer for everyone in the team. May the medals shower on the Indians at the London Olympics!</span></span></div>
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</div>chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-13283251321940691242012-05-22T02:24:00.000+05:302012-05-22T02:30:05.807+05:30Recycling audio cassettes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Audio cassettes are obsolete and are never going to make a comeback, I think. But, there are so many memories attached to those cassettes. Most of us have grown up listening to music on cassettes. Since recording music from one cassette to another was easy, many of us had our own personalised music albums.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With the newer technology for listening to music there is just no use of cassettes in our lives anymore, but to throw away such memories really hurts. I still have some of the cassettes that contain the compilations I had made several years ago. In fact, I threw away a few just a few months ago, and my heart broke! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Just yesterday I was reading something on the <a href="http://goonj.org/">Goonj</a> site and while going through their recycles products catalogue I found that purses and folders that are made out of audio cassettes. What a lovely idea! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is how a folder made from audio cassettes looks like! There are other products, such as, pouches, wallets available as well. Find them at:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.unwrapindia.com/shop/goonj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://www.unwrapindia.com/shop/goonj</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The few cassettes that I still have will go to a great place to get recycled, and I am not going to be upset anymore!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I googled a little to find out about products made by recycling audio cassettes and I found this video quite int</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">eresting. Here it is :)</span></div>
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</div>chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-50996812959122616082012-05-15T22:16:00.000+05:302012-07-18T02:33:57.602+05:30Anushka at 21 months!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My Anushka completed 21 months today! 18 months to now have been such a lovely journey, so many 1st times to add to the baby book! She started walking rather late, and while we were still worrying if there was some problem in her muscle development or anything else she almost started running the day she turned 18 months. And from that day on, I am running after her! She dances every time she listens to her favourite melodies; hums along with me when she is in a mood; but most importantly, she always identifies any video or ad film she likes on tv or the computer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her (vocal) vocabulary improved quite a bit, but her gestures improved drastically! With about 16-17 words she can utter she explains almost everything to us with her hand gestures! She has a very strong mind of her own already! Her naw (no) can be heard quite distinctly every time she doesn't want to do something! Her yes is usually an 'uh' or a 'haan'. Her 'didu', Bengali for maternal grand mom is 'dzoo', and my mother just doesn't have a choice but respond to that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am trying to remember all that happened through these 3 months, but it's so difficult to list so many things. Oh yes, she can solve jigsaw puzzles that are recommended for children who are 2+. She can't completely insert the puzzle pieces inside the slot, but she never puts any wrong piece in any slot. If I am sounding a little proud I must be excused; I am just too excited... mothers with young children will understand me for sure!
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">She ate her first pasta in tomato base, half moon-shaped chicken cutlets, fish-shaped fish cutlets; her favourite was a fish cutlet that looked like a face that had eyes made with peas and the nose and mouth were made using tomato slices! Well, I cooked all these especially for her. I never took much interest in cooking before! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Though there are many new developments some of the old habits still exist. She very strongly dislikes her pediatrician, though he is one of the nicest doctors I have met; she still takes several hours to have her dinner, the sleep time is as bad as ever no matter how hard I try. But in spite of all the crazy things she does that makes me sometimes want to just give up and cry 'cause my body and mind just can't take the stress, she still keeps me going. Becoming a mother at 35 is not always an easy thing if one is not physically fit, and I am not. I have quite a few health problems, body ache being the worst of them all. But after becoming Anushka's mother I think I can run a marathon someday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">P.S. Anushka's father got her a book and a set of puzzles for her 21st 'monthly' birthday! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's the video where she works on her puzzles!</span><br />
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</div>chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-46115090825791357272012-05-05T23:30:00.000+05:302012-07-25T01:03:22.182+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was a lovely evening of music, dance and poetry at the Lokhandwala Garden to celebrate Poila Baishakh and Rabindra Jayanti; two very special days for Bengalis. Many Bengalis from Andheri to Kandivali gathered here to be a part of this 'Bonghomie'!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's been 16 years since I last performed Rabindrasangeet on stage, and I thoroughly enjoyed singing. Also, I wore a Dhakai saree, a first-time ever! This evening was special as I have missed not singing all these years, plus I performed with my father for the first time! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My father, Ranjan Mitra, was the first Bengali, if not the first Indian, to have cut western music albums (in 33 rpm) with HMV back in the early 70's. He was a regular performer back in the day, and sang with many prominent musicians including Louiz Banks! Besides singing he loves playing the harmonica. It was wonderful accompanying him on stage today!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another high this evening - my daughter Anushka sang 'tata-tata' the moment she heard 'Mamo Chitte Niti Nritte'! We were pleasantly surprised as to how she instantly recognised the song that she occasionally heard at home, and s</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he is only 20 months!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It'll be great if all 3 of us perform together one day. It's not very common to see 3 generations performing together!</span></div>
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</div>chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-78820875535067941792012-04-29T04:05:00.002+05:302012-04-29T04:16:37.448+05:30Anushka singing?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anushka may still be too small to sing, but she looks as though she is! By the way, these days she hums along with me , of course, when she is in the mood for it!</div>chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-46195329870745110692012-03-26T04:32:00.004+05:302012-04-25T03:31:17.991+05:30Karaoke and me!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love singing and I just need a small audience to get started! I haven't been singing professionally for many years though, but I have always enjoyed karaoke sessions. While I was in Hyderabad I was quite a regular at 10 Downing Street and Bottles and Chimneys (BnC). In fact, I was karaoke jockey (KJ) at 10D for a few weeks.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My first karaoke experience was at an event at the Ice Skating Rink in Calcutta back in the mid 90's when most people didn't even know what karaoke was! I was the host cum emcee. It was a lot of fun and through the 5 days of the event I made quite a few friends. This networking helped me get some more shows later, though back in the day I sang with bands mostly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's a pic of one of the karaoke nights at the Saturday Club in Calcutta.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Singing at the Karaoke Superstar Competition at 10 Downing Street in Hyderabad</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was runners up and I won a lot of goodies which included a blackberry phone!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of the events at BnC... I won here too!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvLPY0_GoN8X8lFSoq34oXwAmG0tOjVQZiKgeW6-6UYJ4-fu9NfYT9aQq3YJpvamIl5XAiDSW9VI5oeR0gK_7JB1HhLoC3ha7GXYTc_ONRGuK-f7TVEEISYSuk0w10W88xqxBimsJlZVW/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvLPY0_GoN8X8lFSoq34oXwAmG0tOjVQZiKgeW6-6UYJ4-fu9NfYT9aQq3YJpvamIl5XAiDSW9VI5oeR0gK_7JB1HhLoC3ha7GXYTc_ONRGuK-f7TVEEISYSuk0w10W88xqxBimsJlZVW/s320/Copy+of+IMG_0005.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=pastissues2&BaseHref=TOIH/2006/02/02&PageLabel=25&EntityId=Ar02500&ViewMode=HTML"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At BnC with friends!</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Mumbai I have been to Not Just Jazz By The Bay and Soul Fry a couple of times, but Hyderabad joints were fun; probably because of the familiar setting. Though I wish to go out a little more in Mumbai to get familiar with the people here I just don't manage to do so, thanks to the little wonder I have at home! </span></div><br />
</div>chandrimawriteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537376331890283316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7128801304216986574.post-71336895420542698302012-03-11T02:05:00.003+05:302012-05-03T05:38:41.832+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's exactly a month today, Whitney Houston passed away. It's still so hard to accept such a loss. During this period I read so much more about her, listened to some of my favourite songs, and kept lamenting that my dream of meeting her in person will never happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last night Joy gifted an online copy of the Now magazine which has the entire edition on Whitney. It was so lovely to see the amount of love and admiration she got in her life! It's sad that in India people hardly knew her; even the newspapers and a few news channels just did their bare minimum to pay tribute to her. I don't remember if the Indian media took much interest in her in the last 10 years or so, but suddenly after her death there were suddenly waves of information coming out about her! One journalist in his tribute wrote that Whitney popularised classic and gospel music! Her death was compared to Guru Dutt's by a very popular site; I didn't understand the connection!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Why am I even getting into this! There are just too many jokers in this world, and they need not be given a lot of importance. The fact remains and will always remain, I loved Whitney Houston's voice, her songs, and yes, I loved her for the lovely person she was. One doesn't need to know a person to love. She may have left the earth, but her legacy will carry on. The only diva, a true icon, Whitney Houston... you will always be missed...</span></div>
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