The Thoughtaholic!

Music muses

2010-01-02T09:58:00.000-08:00

A techie-turned- corporate & marketing communications professional, I've always had a natural bent for singing. For almost a year, I trained in Carnatic vocals under the guidance of my guru - Mrs Kalyani Srinivasan. Caught up with my engineering studies, I discontinued. For which, I regret today. :(

They say books are your best friends. They are. But I think it's music that gets me alive and makes me go crazy. It makes me ponder:

Music is a wonderful manifestation of different moods - a face of our emotions. It's the predominant part of our nature that dictates our taste towards it. I love all kinds of music. Yet, I have a propensity towards peppy and soulful numbers or even meaningless madness that doesn't fail to chime in my ears...as I'm a happy(and sometimes goofy ;)) person. That said, music is a privilege to one and all...some like it sweet, some like it wild, while others prefer it quiet and lull.

I am in a trance as the uncanny power of music regulates my body chemistry and infuses positive energy in me. It's a feeling of a pure spirit hugging me. This is magic! With each listen, I reach closer to myself. Music has no language, but is an expression of living as well as non-living beings. It is, but a harmonized string of sounds patterned in a melodious way - a tuneful transition of different sounds and a language for the visuals. Perhaps, by virtue of music, would the "Amoeba" be lyrical...?

I'm friendly, yet distant; bubbly, yet composed; romantic, yet pragmatic...I dazedly ask myself - why? Delibration? Hesitation? Inhibitions? I guess so...

So here I am to shed all these and let my emotions flow free through the heavenly feel of MUSIC!!!

Feel free to listen to my songs on http://www.muziboo.com/aratii/music

And don't forget to leave your comments... :)

Cheers! :)

The Ocean

2009-12-29T01:01:00.000-08:00

I'm sure all of us are on the brink of an exciting New Year awaiting us. December 2009 was super hectic with a lot of personal affairs in queue. I had to give this a polished end.

After so many years, it was quite an experience participating in the culturals. Following a buzzy discussion among the excited participants, a concept for the fashion show was finalized. Throughout the rehearsals we had a great time. I was asked to write an introduction to the theme - "Colors of the Ocean". While penning my thoughts down, I realized the subject of the poem is as profound as it is in being. I have tried my best to cover facets of the ocean. There certainly could have been, or rather, there IS more to it than we imagine...

Feel yourself ashore a beautiful ocean...spellbound! Hope this poem takes you there.. :)

Fathomless depth that mesmerizes imagination
A mysterious entity that lies beyond the scope of reason

Seamlessly stretching blues beyond what we see
Like a silent companion engulfing our grief and reverie

An artist’s paradise
And what seems heaven in a lover’s eyes

A solemn friend through a pensive walk
Splashes and froths as we play and talk

Enigmatic by every discovery
But a pleasant haven to smile and rest our worry

Colorful and mystic – it is nature’s rendition
Unchain memories and paint your dreams with the COLORS OF THE OCEAN!

---Arati

Subtle Voices Of Feminism: Flavor of the season

2008-10-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

I’m no feminist. Nor am I even distantly connected to any form of chauvinism. Yet, I feel proud to express my existence as a woman. The awe-inspiring and divine figurine of Goddess Durga dexterously sculpted and methodically placed in one of the beautifully decorated Navaratri pandals I recently visited, has inspired me to say so. The unceasing mirth and drumbeats of the Navaratri fest failed to evade my mind. As I crossed the regular lane leading to my home, I took a quick peek into the temple and got Her sacred darshan.

Truly, the vision was mystical, and one gaze into Her powerful eyes had my mind engulfed with a thread of thoughts. She’s the source of power—I concluded. Her iconic strength lies in every woman. With this thought, I immediately set to weave an interesting passage of observations on the sizeable evolution of womankind through the historic period.

Times have certainly changed and so has the sense of individualism and personhood among women across the globe. In an interesting contrast of conditions women today, walk shoulder-to-shoulder with men. Certainly a phenomenon, considering the unconscionable ordeal women in the medieval ages went through. With every succeeding cycle of time and fierce pain emerged an intangible essence of courage. It is power—a fight against time and tide. From then to here the ridges of changing era are powerfully manifested.

Over centuries, India has witnessed a dramatic metamorphosis on socio-religious issues like sati, child marriage, purdah system, restriction of widow marriage, devadasis, girl-child education, etc. Thanks to the rational intervention of the Britishers and social reformists like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Jyotiba Phule, these practices were curbed. Their efforts cannot go unmentioned here. However, it is distressing to find these barbaric activities still going on at different corners of the world. I opine that these scenarios are worse than catastrophes for which cause is not led by behavior or intellect.

The wave of power has traveled right from centuries ago when women strived for their rights to vote, study or earn money. Women have certainly come a long way from then. In the recent times, corporate sectors boast of efficient female employees. A study reveals that women make great managers—both, in the domestic and professional zones. The revolution has caught up in the culturally underdeveloped countries across the globe. The gradual upliftment of the Afghanistan women against tyranny speaks volumes about the inner strength of a woman and her intense desire to evolve as a person.

Strangely, power does not mean violence always (let me reminisce Gandhiji’s famous words at this point and salute him). Layers of power can be finely observed through minute gradations of silence, struggle, sacrifice, tolerance, love, wisdom, knowledge, kindness, passion, perseverance, might, and to a fair (or large?) extent—charm. :-) ;-)

Contemplating on these lines, I proceed with extolling women, who I look up to, and think embody these virtues with their willpower, boundless magnanimity and spiritual potential.

My Mother – My strength lies in her smile. Her serene face puts to rest all my agitations. Or maybe it’s just her presence. Over the years I’ve bonded with her as a girl, woman, and person. I sense the small, silent sacrifices going unnoticed at times. Her innocent smile through her run-of-the-mill, tiring routine crushes my heart. Her extremely docile characteristic makes me mull over the other side of her own world—perhaps, a better one. Trying to add those little fillers and colors to her life. Hope it makes a difference. Love you mom. :-)

Ma’am – My role model during college days. She’s unforgettable. I still remember her as a killer combination of beauty, brains, grace, and dignity. A South-Indian Brahmin divorcee boldly defying the norms of society to remarry a younger colleague may seem nothing new. It’s her aura and self-acknowledging morale that inspires me.

‘H’ aunty – She’s always so bright and sunny. No gloomy thoughts or savage storms of time can ruffle that. Her quintessential ever-positive attitude has helped her surmount gruelling struggles. I was a close witness to a very recent, chronic state of her health. It was breast cancer. By the grace of God and certainly her cheerful disposition she’s pulled through it. She deserves every moment of a happy life!

Nam – My sweet li’l cousin is a bright, sensible, and multifaceted girl. Her approach towards a situation really amazes me. I’ve learnt many a lessons from her book of wisdom.

Vendor in the train – Ill-fated miseries had compelled this middle-class old woman into selling goodies in local trains at the age of 72. That’s what we call the ‘never-say-die’ attitude, don't we?

My maid: She showers affection on me in her own little ways. Her selfless love never fails to tug my heart strings. One cannot miss her sincerity and loyalty that are disguised under the concern she feels. On occasions that she cooks, a compliment from me is essentially expected. Love it when she asks “Tai-la jevan aavadla?”

Arundhati Roy – Words are mightier than swords, and she can definitely kill with her words. An architect by qualification, Roy first turned into an activist, then a non-fiction novelist, and a critic too. Loved her book “The God of Small Things”!

Kalpana Chawla – She desired to fly high—and that, she did. The first Indian-born woman astronaut to make it to the space finally met her end and vanished into the hollow vacuum of space—her destined abode.

Mother Teressa – The benevolent nun selflessly nursed the poor, sick and needy. She's still remembered as a model of humanity by people (No Offence- but, especially by the beauties in beauty pageants claiming to bring about world peace and humanity ;-) )

Rani Laxmi bai – A famous historic figure and an epitome of bravery, she valiantly set off for the battle field with the adopted child tied at the back to fight the Britishers and save Jhansi.

Kiran Bedi – A highly successful, tough, and liberated woman in the ‘then’ man’s world, Kiran broke the norms chalked for women and made a mark as the first woman police officer of IPS.

Oprah Winfrey – Surpassing a painful childhood including poverty and rape, this 54-year old popular television anchor catapulted to fame by virtue of her strong connection with the audience through emotion-coated, head-on, and intense talk shows. Having been wrenched in the agony of her early life, she effortlessly addresses issues with bold conviction. Owning a mammoth production company and a host of other online media projects, Oprah retains her spiritual connection with people through a charity network.

The list could go on as every woman has something unusual to give. That could include something as grave as a woman sharing her man with the other woman to save a crumbling relationship or something as simple as a woman whipping up an exciting plan for the weekend with her guy. A sweeter instance of 'giving' is a woman sidestepping the camera focus to give her husband the photo space with his favorite actress (Awwww…that’s ssooo sweet). Love it. :-) My list can proudly have the brave women-folk of defense families, most definitely all great women I know, all the working women balancing work and home (withstanding the not-so-pleasant or abusive travel?), women swaying to the tunes of dandiya raas and celebrating the spirit of freedom, and last but not the least me too ;-) (why not...ha ha).

People, I don’t mean to go offbeat here, but I have to (I want to) pay my tribute to all those nice and supportive men who have welcomed a world of equality with open arms. Cheers!

The Child Woman

2008-09-06T00:16:00.000-07:00

So far, so good. This is the first-ever blog of my life. Love the feeling. Having sown the seed of blogging into me, I take a step ahead and branch out my composition-a poem I just wrote...

With gleam in her eyes and dreams of a world so nice,
She faces the odd realities en route of life

Like a colorful, carefree bubble floating past
“A warm smile makes her day
While a gloomy thought could break her ways…”

She stands rooted through turbulent tides of time, alright…
Yet a slightest whiff of wind vexes her wits

Her goofy ways will make you smile
And her impulsive ways can drive you mad

She’s close as the girl-next-door
And yet seems distant and unknown
Amidst the buzz of crowd she certainly loves
She finds a solitary world for her soul

Seeking her desires and chasing her dreams
She’s out there to make her space

Evolving as a woman, she’s never really ceased being a child—She’s a child woman!