Whitney Houston, I will always love you!

Last night I was up very late, trying to sleep. I was humming Whitney Houston's 'Greatest Love of All' and remembering how beautifully she hits those high notes, something I'd never ever be able to, so effortlessly. I woke up late this morning and had to rush a little as there was someone expected to come over. I wore a long top and a pair of leggings without actually looking at the combination; they were both black and I usually don't wear all black! When the lady left I just casually changed the tv channels only to hear that my Demigoddess was no more! Was I sensing something... I don't know! I was shocked, completely speechless, I didn't cry! I am still not crying but I am weeping inside...

I am not going to tell everyone what a wonderful singer she was (writing was hits me very hard!) or anything about her as a performer because the world knows it all. What the world doesn't know is how much I have always loved her. I heard her first in 1988 when I was 13 years old and I have grown listening to her. I have so many times pretended to be her, and sang her songs in the bathroom and thought I was just like her! I dared to sing her songs on stage just a few times and always realised after each performance how pathetic I was to even attempt her songs. She was a Demigoddess and you cannot reach or touch a Demigoddess!

The only artist I dreamt to see perform live was she. When I was really young I used to dream of sharing the same stage with her. With her gone, my dreams are gone forever.

My daughter was barely a month old when one day she was crying endlessly, and nothing could comfort her. My husband played 'I Look To You' and my baby was quiet immediately. When she was about two and half months, one evening, she heard the song  four and a half times before she stopped crying, and gradually fell off to sleep! Later, every time she cried like crazy we'd play the song, and Whitney's angelic voice would do the magic!  

Whitney has had a  great, yet a very difficult life. While she enthralled her fans with her music she suffered deep within. Her untimely death is shocking and the cause of her death is still not known. 

"She has gone from the earth to a better place I know... I hear the gentle voices calling Whitney Elizabeth Houston...."

May her soul rest in peace...

Ummeed waali dhoop, sunshine waali aasha...

After a great day yesterday I woke up this morning in horror when my sister called to say they were trapped in  fire in the building. I am still getting goose bumps while writing! She sounded so helpless, yet worried as to how will I come with my little baby! I literally pulled Anushka from sleep, took some cash, mobile and the house keys and ran out of the house when I met a neighbor who dropped me till my parents' building. My 5 minute drive was scary. I managed to call the police helpline who confirmed that the fire engines reached the building which was some sort of a comfort, but I was still worried about my parents. 

When I reached the spot it was such a relief to find that things were under control; and everyone was safe. Sadly, my parents and sister had a tough and scary time as no one informed them about the fire, and when they realised that there was a lot of smoke outside they couldn't go down, instead they had to rush to the terrace. Since there was no one around they were obviously very scared, and in great difficulty they managed to go to the other wing of the building crossing water tanks! It was everyone's great luck that the fire could be extinguished rather quickly as the fire officers acted fast. But thinking about the whole thing was so scary that we were unable to brush it off our system! Need less to say that the Mumbai buildings need to be a lot more organised!

The whole day went off, but we all felt the strain till suddenly my 17 month old wonder broke into a little dance  with her wobbly legs as she listened to the new Coke tv commercial. We just couldn't help laughing watching her, and for the next 30 minutes or so we kept playing the video on YouTube and watched Anushka dance to it! How children can bring relief to our lives when we least expect. And, what a wonderful tv ad this one is... 

"Ummeed waali dhoop, sunshine waali aasha

Rone ki wajah hai kam, hansne ke bahane zyada

Zidd hai muskuraayenge

Khush rehne ka hai waada..."

I wish and pray that there is sunshine in everyones lives!

Being Mrs. Roy for 10 years!

Joy and I celebrated our 10th marriage anniversary today, and it was our 14th of being in each others lives! We committed ourselves to this relationship on January 26, 1998, and we decided to get married on the same date whenever we were ready to get married. After 4 years we married on the same date but the catch was that this day was not an auspicious date according to the Hindu calender that particular year. Hence, we had our registration of marriage on this day and had a so called social wedding on February 1. Through the 10 years both sides of the family realised and shifted from wishing us from February 1 to January 26!

It was a dinner get together at Mainland China with a part of the family and close friends this evening. Sadly, most of the family lives in Kolkata and we missed them sorely! Nonetheless, we had a great time! The highlight of the evening was that I had my closest and dearest friend along with her husband and daughter in the celebration! 

I have been very nostalgic the last few days, remembering many things, some great things, some not so great; yet, everything felt good! There have been major transitions in my life through the 10 years. But now, while I am writing this and thinking back, I feel everything has been worth it being Mrs. Roy!  

Here are the  Anniversary pics!

And so this is 2012...

Another year got over and a new one has just begun! 2012 is the year that I have been waiting for 3 years now. This year both my parents and in-laws complete 40 years of being together in marriage; Joy and I complete 10 years of marriage; my favourite cousin turns 18; Olympics in July, a few vacations planned, one can be international too; and a few more things to make 2012 a year to remember!

About 2011, it has been extra ordinary as I have lived almost every waking moment with my baby! I have experienced the joy of watching my little one grow! I felt special, I couldn't have asked for more from life...

To everyone, I wish a great 2012! May there be peace and happiness in this seemingly chaotic and unpredictable world.

10 years away from Kolkata...

I relocated to Hyderabad on this day 10 years ago. Not out of choice, but the fact that Joy moved there. While leaving Calcutta (the renaming of the city happened after I left) I was sure that I will be back in 2 to 3 years. 10 years have gone by, I moved from Hyderabad to Mumbai, and I see no sign of moving back to Kolkata any time soon.

Working at All India radio, compering shows, teaching music in an international school, getting into Voice and Accent training, later advancing to soft skills and various other aspects of corporate training... I had a good variety of things to do. I also sang and played with a band called 'A Band With No Name'! 

Hyderabad gave me a lot, but took away a lot more. I could never connect with that city. I never loved that city. But I have to admit that most of my friends live in Hyderabad. And, it's for them I will visit the city whenever I can.

Things to do before I die... a random list!

See Whitney Houston in action... live on stage, wherever it is!
Concert (s) at the Royal Albert Hall
Cats, Phantom of the Opera (musicals) in London
Visit country side in England... see Anne Hathaway's cottage
Visit Trinity College
See Niagra from both sides
Ride a gondola in Venice
Visit Monaco, Casablanca and a thousand places more...
See the Statue of Liberty
Go to Times Square, casinos in Vegas (and lose all my money!)
Greece, Bahamas, does the wish list end anywhere... NO!

I'll get this list organised someday, for sure! :D

Anushka's Birthday Celebration at Sneha Sadan!

Anushka's 1st birthday celebration began on August 7 by visiting a home called Sneha Sadan in the suburbs of Mumbai that takes care of girls who are either abandoned or orphans. Anushka, along with Joy, my mother and me, spent time with the children there, and we indeed had a very good time! Though Anushka was initially a little quiet, she gradually warmed up to the children! Here are some of the photographs taken.

The celebrations continued in Goa! Here are the links:

http://chandrimaroy.blogspot.com/2011/08/palolem-one-of-most-beautiful-beaches.html?spref=tw

http://chandrimaroy.blogspot.com/2011/08/goa-in-monsoon.html

Goa in the monsoon...

About 3 months ago I decided that we'll celebrate Anushka's 1st birthday in Goa. Joy and my parents readily agreed, and so did my sister after a little cajoling! As a start to the preparations I called my Goan friend who is now a resident of Hyderabad though, and asked for the things that we could at this part of the year. His first reaction was why now, go in October. It took me a few weeks to make him understand that it was because of Anushka's birthday that we were going to Goa, and that cannot happen in October!

Sometimes I feel happy that I don't just listen to what people have to tell me; I have drawn a lot of flak from various quarters for this though! Many other friends and acquaintances warned us, discouraged us, all saying that it's going to rain, and you guys will have to stay at the hotel throughout your trip!

It did rain, sometimes there were little showers and sometimes it rained quite heavily. But to our great luck the rains did not affect our plans not even once... maybe I can call it 'Anushka Luck'! Light grey skies, with a drizzle once in a while, greenery in abundance, comfortable weather, just a few people on the beaches, lovely food... what more could we have asked for! Little Anushka was also enjoying I guess... her food habit and sleeping habit just changed during those days... she was an absolute darling!

Do I still have to say that we had a wonderful time through the four days! :)

Happy Birthday Ms. Anushka Roy!

There are different ways by which one can interpret the essence of songs. Songs can set different moods  for different people. When I was thirteen I learnt Top of the World by The Carpenters, and I had categorised it as a love song; I never thought it could represent anything else. 

Today, as I sit down to write something for my daughter who turned 1 today, the song is ringing in my mind, and I feel the words are so apt to describe what I feel!

Aanya darling, this song is for you! 

"Such a feelin’s comin’ over me

There is wonder in most everything I see

Not a cloud in the sky

Got the sun in my eyes

And I won’t be surprised if it’s a dream

Everything I want the world to be

Is now coming true especially for me

And the reason is clear

It’s because you are here

You’re the nearest thing to heaven that I’ve seen

I’m on the top of the world lookin’ down on creation

And the only explanation I can find

Is the love that I’ve found ever since you’ve been around

Your love’s put me at the top of the world

Something in the wind has learned my name

And it’s tellin’ me that things are not the same

In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze

There’s a pleasin’ sense of happiness for me

There is only one wish on my mind

When this day is through I hope that I will find

That tomorrow will be just the same for you and me

All I need will be mine if you are here"

Happy Birthday my love! All my love and blessings for you. This is your 1st birthday gift! Baba (Joy) you can sing along (in the right key please!)  ... Mama :)

Yet another surprise from Joy! A great way to begin my autobiography/biography collection of musicians!