This is the second post in this series. In case you want to read the first post, you can find it here. Music and travel complement each other like nothing else. Imagine on a well-paved road through green fields, with your favorite numbers playing. And try to imagine the long train journey without a good playlist. And you would know what I mean. So I continue to celebrate these two passions in the same format.
VJ clicked this photograph during the Mughal Rally at the Sinthan Pass in Kashmir. This picture of two sportsmen enjoying a little break to catch some rest and, also, sun reminds me of my childhood when my sister and I would spend our winter afternoons on the terrace. We would study together or read "Target", our favorite magazine, and later Teens Today, while waiting for our parents to come home from work. The song that this photograph reminds me of is but of course "Dil dhoondhta hai phir wahi..."
My favorite lines from the songs are:
जाड़ों की नर्म धूप और आँगन में लेट कर - (२)
आँखों पे खींचकर तेरे आँचल के साए को
औंधे पड़े रहे कभी करवट लिये हुए
दिल ढूँढता है फिर वही फ़ुरसत के रात दिन...
I clicked this photograph during my travel through the Scottish Highlands The person holding the camera is our tour guide and look at him rocking that kilt. The loch and the surrounding greens are mesmerising, almost fantastical. Such sights are common in the highlands and remind me of the song "Yeh kaun chitrakaar hai..."
My favorite lines from the song:
तपस्वियों सी हैं अटल ये पवर्तों कि चोटियाँ
ये बर्फ़ कि घुमरदार घेरदार घाटियाँ
ध्वजा से ये खड़े हुए
ध्वजा से ये खड़े हुए हैं वृक्ष देवदार के
गलीचे ये गुलाब के बगीचे ये बहार के
ये किस कवि की कल्पना
ये किस कवि की कल्पना का चमत्कार है
ये कौन चित्रकार है ये कौन चित्रकार
VJ shot this photograph in Himachal and I love the way the Moon has conquered this peak. It seems to be at rest after a tough day of climbing. When it comes to Bollywood, there are innumerable mentions of the Moon in our songs. After all, it has always been a muse to poets. There are many songs that mention moon, that I like. However, my favorite is "Dil hoom hoom kare" from the film Rudaali. Even though the song has just one mention of the Moon, it has depth and pathos. It is a beautiful composition.
My favorite lines from the song:
जिस तन को छूआ तूने उस तन को छुपाऊँ
जिस मन को लागे नैना, वो किसको दिखाऊँ
ओ मोरी चन्द्रमा, तेरी चाँदनी अँग जलाए
ऊँची तोरी अटारी, मैं ने पँख लिए कटवाए
This is another beautiful click in the mountains and it looks like the photo captured some storm clouds gathering. Storms are dramatic, dangerous, and beautiful, like you can see here. If you have seen a tornado or a thunderstorm, you would know what I mean. This photograph reminds me of a song that our father taught my sister and me when we were kids. And till now, we often sing this together. I am not sure how many of you would know of this song. It is the title song of the movie Diya aur Toofan.
My favorite lines from the song:
दुनिया ने साथ छोड़ा, ममता ने मुख मोड़ा
अब दीये पे यह दुख पड़ने लगा -२
पर हिम्मत न हार, मन में मरना विचार
अत्याचार की हवा से लड़ने लगा
सर उठाना या झुकाना, या भलाई में मर जाना
घड़ी आई उसके भी इम्तेहान की
यह कहानी है दीये की और तूफ़ान की
One can never tire of sunsets and their photos and especially if you happen to be at the beach and there are clouds at the horizon, it is like nature is painting a new picture every day. I have often stayed on a beach after it gets dark simply to see the lights from the fishermen's boats draw nearer as they return home after a day out in the sea. At any given point in time, there are countless magics unfolding on a beach at sunset. The song that comes to my mind immediately is "Kahin door jab din dhal jaye...".
My favorite lines from the song:
कहीं तो ये, दिल कभी, मिल नहीं पाते
कहीं से निकल आए, जनमों के नाते
घनी थी उलझन, बैरी अपना मन
अपना ही होके सहे दर्द पराये, दर्द पराये
कहीं दूर जब दिन ढल जाए
साँझ की दुल्हन बदन चुराए
चुपके से आए
There are very few sights in the world as deceptively serene as that of a river flowing away from the mountains, onto the plains. I say "deceptively" because the waters are still flowing at a considerable speed, and pack immense power inside. They slowly erode the banks, change directions, and carve valleys. All this undetected. The song that this sight reminds me of is Sajjad Ali's "Je aithon kadi Raavi lang jaaye". Especially since the river in this picture is Raavi. The song is overflowing with nostalgia and longing, and is simply beautiful.
My favorite lines from the song:
Eh kaisi majboori ho gayi
Ke sajna ton doori ho gayi
Te veleya de naal vagh di
Eh jind kadon poori ho gayi
Beganeya di raah chhod ke
Main apni mahar maud laan
Je aithon kadi Raavi langh jaave
Hayati Punjabi ban ja ve
Main bediyan hazaar tod laan
Main paani'cho saah nichod laan
Ravi langh jaave ho..
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