This year there has been a lot of media and public attention for the JLF. The festival, held Jan. 20-24, has mushroomed in just a few years from a desert gathering of writers and bookworms to a fixture on India’s social calendar that draws top-shelf sponsors. From writers, academics, literary enthusiasts, students, journalists, critiques, photographers to politicians, glitterati, celebrities, socialites, fashionistas the festival had it all. With Oprah visiting it and India for the first time and Salman Rushdie not coming in the last minute the festival has been under the limelight every moment (The festival organisers must have loved it- all the free publicity and am sure the sale of Rushdie’s books must have also soared (I for one am finding myself a copy of Satanic Verses and reading what it is all about to spark such controversy)). Salman Rushdie would have been the biggest literary celebrity at the Jaipur Literature Festival. But in his absence, he became even bigger, hovering over the festival like Banquo’s ghost. It was hard to find a session that didn’t mention the man. Mr. Rushdie’s cancellation is the latest in a series of blows to free speech in India that have included a court challenge to Google and Facebook for what a petitioner claimed was content that is offensive to various religious groups, and a proposal by a senior Indian minister to prescreen content posted on social networking sites.

The festival kick-started on 20^th Jan and I got there Friday afternoon.  My first session was one by British novelist Hari Kunzaru about his book. However I think this session will be remembered more as Hari Kunzru read from Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses, a book that is still banned in India, to show his support for him on Friday evening. 3 other speakers later read from Rushdie’s book as well. As the police and local politicians got wind of their protest, the writers realized that they had just committed an illegal act under India’s arcane penal code and hastily fled. The organizers, William Dalrymple and Namita Gokhale, meanwhile, hurriedly strategized to avoid arrest and were able to get on with the festival.

With several sessions on in parallel, each exciting in its own way, it was a game of chance picking the right one. Sometimes, it was the quest for a chair to rest your aching feet that landed you in a hall with free chairs or not minding standing the entire session for an author you really wanted to listen to. Even the heavily populist sessions — from Oprah Winfrey to tiger mom Amy Chua to the trio of Chetan Bhagat, Shashi Tharoor and Suhel Seth describing their survival strategies in the age of Twitter (a Nobel peace prize for the social networking media for its role in fostering Arab Spring was the recommendation!) to Anupam Kher— Admittedly had their role in providing light relief.

Amy Chua discussed with Puneeta Roy her latest book, Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother. She discussed the different aspects of the book and the controversy it attracted in America. The discussion focused on the book itself and her journey of writing it. She said it was a memoir chronicling her childhood, her children’s early years and her immigrant parents’ expectations and methods of parenting. She spoke about the transfer of values across generations and contextualized the different environments in which different generations of her family have had to grow up. How there was significant difference between the American parenting methods (soccer moms) she called them and Chinese ones but how she had later realised that it was a combination of both that was needed and not one. She emphasized that her book was a humorous attempt to introspect on her own parenting methods, vis-à-vis her parents’, and the values that her own children would now carry into their adult lives. “The book was supposed to be funny and satirical, and moreover a memoir, not a How-To guide to parenting. Yet the whole thing was turned around, and I could no longer recognize myself in the media,” Chua said, pointing out that most people judged the book (and her) only by reading extracts in the press, or skimming through the first half of it-the contentious part where Chua describes incidents from her daughters’ childhood that picture her to be a Chinese-American prison warden who puts her young daughters through six-hour music drills and makes them practice violin and piano even on vacation to Rome and India.

Another interesting session was ‘Open Road’- Samanth Subramanian, Philip Marsden, Katie Kitamura, Akash Kapur, Katie Hickman, Tim Butcher, moderated by William Dalrymple, supported by British Council. This session was about travel writers and their experiences in travel writing. All of the writers read out excerpts from their books. Samanth Subramanian read out from Following Fish, a book about coastal communities across the country. His excerpt was about his grandfather’s traditional medical remedies. Philip Marsden read out from The Chains of Heaven, which is about his Ethiopian journey. William Dalrymple read out from From The Holy Mountain, which chronicles his journey along early Christian lands. Tim Butcher read out from Chasing The Devil, which is about her Liberian journey. Katie Hickman read out from Travels With A Circus, which chronicles her travels with a circus troupe in Mexico. Akash Kapur read out from India Becoming, his latest book about contemporary India.

Myths are lies which tell the truth. Myths are a pack of lies, agreed upon. Myths are assumed truths, which form the base for reasoning and logic. During the session on ‘The Power of Myth’ .intellectuals discussed how age-old myths become eternal truths for mankind. Jawhar Sircar, Arshia Sattar and Amish Tripathi were in conversation with Gurcharan Das who opened the conservation saying that the myths, which have been transferred from generation to generation, have worked as teachings for posterity and have become lessons to cope with different situations of life. “It is rather unfortunate that the more cosmopolitan we become, we tend to lose on the power of myth,” said Das.

Ben Okri began his reading by expressing his regret that Rushdie was not able to make it. The 1991 Booker prize winner for The Famished Road held his audience at the Front lawns in thrall as he read a selection of poems, essays and opening sentences of his book. Somehow it wasn’t my cup of tea.

Love stories have always impressed the hearts of all sects of people the session of ‘Love Stories’ maximum crowed was seen. The session was inconversation with Namita Gokhle, Pavan Verma, Prasoon Joshi and Gulzar but I think the only person able to keep me and at the same time draw such a large audience was Gulzaar one of the best Indian lyricist and poets with his poems.

Sunday morning was definitely the craziest morning of the festival with Oprah lined up at 11 but the venues full and super crowded by 9 with increasing crowds, chaos, confusion, and cops everywhere. Oprah Winfrey called India a Paradox but there was karmic calmness below all the chaos. People don’t talk religion here they live it. One of the things I specifically remember is her saying how she was excellent at whatever she did and she learned that it gave her the power to negotiate with people and also that happened what one believed in not what they think.( I would love to talk more about the session but then it’s going to become all about her which I don’t want and anyways the internet has complete coverage on everything she said).

Indian author Chetan Bhagat, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and adman-entrepreneur Suhel Seth shared their views on this amazing social networking in a session aptly titled ‘Survival Strategies in the Time of Twitterati.’ I had landed on that session because I needed something light and having never heard Shashi Tharoor before thought it would be a good idea. Somehow I managed a seat upfront (lucky me) which made the session worthwhile. Interestingly, Chetan, Shashi and Suhel had their share of good and bad experience on Twitter. Out to dissect Twitter if Chetan called the social networking site a negative space which was a free for all affair, Shashi felt that Twitter was an ‘interactive aakashwani’, where he got the chance to discuss a wide variety of issues. On the other hand, Suhel saw Twitter as a social phenomenon, which was ‘breaking down of social structures’ and a great tool of information and involvement.When asked about government’s dictum to curb social networking sites and censorship issues, Chetan said that Twitter should be a moderated platform while Shashi opined that ‘art, literature and political opinion should never be censored.’ Though Shashi was not against free speech, but for a government concerned about law and order situation, inflammatory things should be curbed. Chetan Bhagat seemed to focus a lot on its flaws (considering he uses twitter all the time I don’t know why he is so against it and I think I get it why people have been tweeting what Chetan Bhagat is doing at a literary festival). Luckily we had Suhel adding that one should not dwell too much on the negative impact of Twitter and rather look at its positives sides too.

Well the Twitterati session was the last I attended, too tired to attend any more that day, ready to leave the venue and Jaipur in a few hours. Well, leaving Jaipur and thinking about how the festival had been I was really glad I had been able to make it. It was a very good event (I personally loved the fact that there was no reserved seating or VIP passes- it was the same for everyone) and there were some amazing sessions yet I was sad to realise that Free speech and expression lost as politics, religion and oppression won.

جسم سے ہٹ کر کبھی سنسار میں تنہا رہا
اور کبھی یہ دکھ کہ میں اخبار میں تنہا رہا

Jism say hat kar kabhi sansaar main tanha raha

Aor kabhi ye dukh k main akhbaar main tanha raha

اپنے کمرے کے در و دیوار میں تنہا رہا
گھر سے نکلا تو کھلے بازار میں تنہا رہا

Apne kamray k dar-o-deewar main tanha raha

Ghar say nikla tu khulay bazaar main tanha raha

دیکھنے آتے رہے انبوہ کے انبوہ اور
میں کسی فن کار کے شہ کار میں تنہا رہا

Dekhne aate rahe anboh k anboh aor

Main kisi fankaar k sheh-kaar main tanha raha

قربتوں میں فاصلوں کا دکھ ملا اس واسطے
خود میں اپنے ہی دل_ سرشار میں تنہا رہا

QurbatoN main faasloN ka dukh mila is waaste

Khud main apne hi dil-e-sarshaar main tanha raha

کھالیا اک عمر دھوکا، پھر کھلا، اس بزم میں
پرکشش تھا جو، اُسی کردار میں تنہا رہا

Khaa lia ik umr dhoka, phir khula, is bazm main

Purkashish tha jo, osi kirdaar main tanha raha

تُو نہ سمجھا ہے مرے اخلاص کو، کچھ غم نہیں
کیاکہوں، میں اپنے ہی گھر بار میں تنہا رہا

Tu na samjha hay meray ikhlaas ko, kuch gham nahi

Kia kahoN, main apne hi ghar baar main tanha raha

تھے بہت جو تیری قربت میں پھلے پھولے، وہیں
ایک تھا ایسا، تری سرکار میں تنہا رہا

Thay boht jo teri qurbat main phalay-phoolay, waheeN

Aik tha aesa, teri sarkaar main tanha raha

اک طرف یاروں کی محفل میں ملیں تنہائیاں
اک طرف برسوں تلک اغیار میں تنہا رہا

Ik taraf yaaroN ki mehfil main mileeN tanhaayiaN

Ik taraf barsoN talak aghyaar main tanha raha

گاؤں کی پرکیف سانسوں نے مجھے کھینچا، مگر
خوشبوؤں میں، دامن_ کہسار میں تنہا رہا

GaaoN ki purkaif saansoN nay mujhe khencha, magar

KhushbowoN main, daaman-e-kohsaar main tanha raha

کوئی کرتا کیا مدد میری، دکھاتا کیا اُسے
اک خیال_ باعث_ آزار میں تنہا رہا

Koi karta kia madad meri, dikhata kia osay

Ik khayal-e-baais-e-azaar main tanha raha

اجنبیت کا کھلا اظہار پھولوں نے کیا
اور میں شرمندہ سا گل زار میں تنہا رہا

Ajnabiyat ka khula izhaar pholoN nay kia

Aor main sharminda sa gulzaar main tanha raha

ظالموں نے کیسی کیسی قامتوں کو ڈھادیا
نوحہ گر اک کوچہٴ مسمار میں تنہا رہا

ZaalimoN nay kesi kesi qaamatoN ko dhaa dia

Noha-gar ik koocha-e-mismaar main tanha raha

آرہی ہے ٹھیکری سے درد کی تازہ کھنک
قافلہ تاریخ کے اسرار میں تنہا رہا

Aarahi hay theekri say dard ki taaza khanak

Qaafila taareekh k asraar main tanha raha

کایناتی وسعتوں میں گردشیں ہوں یا سکوت
آدمی تو ثابت و سیٌار میں تنہا رہا

Kaayinati wus’atoN main gardisheN hoN ya sakoot

Aadmi tu saabit-o-sayyaar main tanha raha

غم خوشی کے گاؤں میں رقصاں رہا ہرپل رفیع
موسموں کے ہر حسیں تہوار میں تنہا رہا

Gham khushi k gaaoN main raqsaaN raha har pal Rafii

Mosimon k har haseeN tehwaar main tanha raha

vo aake pahaloo meiN aise baiThe
ke shaam raNgeen ho gayi hai
zaraa zaraa si khili tabeeyat
zaraa si gamgeen ho gayi hai

kabhi kabhi shaam aise Dhalatee hai
jaise ghooNghaT utar rahaa hai
tumhaare seene se uThta dhuaaN
hamaare dil se guzar raha hai

ye sharm hai ya hayaa hai kya hai
najar uThaate hi jhuk gayi hai
tumhaari palakoN se girke shabanam
hamaari aaNkhoN meiN ruk gayi hai

Zihale-Masti Maqam Branjis …. means

In Hindi:
Is gareeb ke dil ko itni ranjish (gusse) se na dekho
Yeh bechara abhi bhi (mehboob ki) judaai se behaal hai

In English:
Don’t look at my heart with such a hatred and anger, My heart is poor soul who is still in agony and pain because my beloved has departed.

A remark
————–
Many words of this song are in Persian. The phrase “Zihaal-e-miskeen”
comes from a poem of Amir Khusrau. This original poem of Amir Khusrau
is a unique masterpiece. The beautiful thing about this poem is that
it it written in Persian and Brij bhasha simultaneously. The first
line is in Persian, second in Brij bhasha, third in persian, and so
on…!! What an unbelievable talent. And here are first four lines of
that poem.

zihaal-e-miskeen mukon taghaful (Persian)
doraaye nainaan banaye batyaan (Brij)

ke taab-e-hijraah nadarum-e-jaan (Persian)
na laihyo kaahe lagaye chatyaan (Brij)

This showcases Hazrat Amir Khusrau’s mastery over the two languages and the role played by him in the genesis of Urdu.

The complete poem taken from
http://www.alif-india.com/
is

Ziehal-e miskeenn makun taghaful, duraye naina banaye batiyan;
ki taab-e hijran nadaram ay jaan, na leho kaahe lagaye chhatiyan.

Shaban-e hijran daraz chun zulf wa roz-e waslat cho umr kotah;
Sakhi piya ko jo main na dekhun to kaise kaatun andheri ratiyan.

Yakayak az dil do chashm-e jadoo basad farebam baburd taskin;
Kise pari hai jo jaa sunaave piyare pi ko hamaari batiyan.

Cho shama sozan cho zarra hairan hamesha giryan be ishq aan meh;
Na neend naina na ang chaina na aap aaven na bhejen patiyan.

Bahaqq-e roz-e wisal-e dilbar ki daad mara ghareeb Khusrau;
Sapet man ke waraaye raakhun jo jaaye paaon piya ke khatiyan.

And the English translation is:

Do not overlook my misery by blandishing your eyes,
and weaving tales; My patience has over-brimmed,
O sweetheart, why do you not take me to your bosom.
Long like curls in the night of separation,
short like life on the day of our union;
My dear, how will I pass the dark dungeon night
without your face before.
Suddenly, using a thousand tricks, the enchanting eyes robbed me
of my tranquil mind;
Who would care to go and report this matter to my darling?
Tossed and bewildered, like a flickering candle,
I roam about in the fire of love;
Sleepless eyes, restless body,
neither comes she, nor any message.
In honour of the day I meet my beloved
who has lured me so long, O Khusrau;
I shall keep my heart suppressed,
if ever I get a chance to get to her trick.

Zabihah is an arabic word which means an animal is slaughtered according to Islamic dietary laws (similiar to Kosher for Jews) and it is Halal (permissible in Islam) for Muslims to consume.

Since many people see my reviews online, I got the nickname of “Mr. Zabihah.com” from some of my friends and always get asked about my favorite Halal places or if I have come across any new Halal places in the Bay Area.

I decided to post my top 5 Halal restaurants (as of now:)) here on my blog!  So here they are (not in any particular order):

Top Deck Deli in Santa Clara, CA

1. Top Deck Deli in Santa Clara, CA (located about a mile away from the MCA masjid).  This is an Old-fashioned American Deli which serves all the traditional favorites such as Reubens, Cheese Burgers, Philly Cheesesteaks, Grilled Chicken Sandwiches as well as specialty items such as wings, salads, burrittos, tacos, steaks and soups.  They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. For breakfast try the chopped steak and eggs or the Denver Omelet (Halal turkey bacon, veggies and cheese). My favorite lunch item is the Hot Pastrami sandwich on a sourdough roll.  They also have low-carb wraps which you can get for most of the sandwiches and is a good alternative if you are trying to cut down on your carbs like I am these days:).  An important note is that the owner, Don Brown recently converted to Islam (during the month of Shabaan this year) and is a very down to earth and friendly man (as is his wife, Emma, who runs the deli with him).  He is dedicated to providing high quality Halal American food for the Muslim community, and although his prices are a bit more than the usual places (Subway, Quiznos, etc.), his food is much better quality and has bigger portions – last but not least it is completely 100% Halal:)! Go to www.topdeckdeli.com for more info.

Cafe Grillades in San Bruno, CA

2. Cafe Grillades in San Bruno, CA (located close to the SFO airport).  This is a nice French Algerian place which serves some of the best crepes in the Bay Area.  When most people think of crepes, they think “IHOP”, but these are REAL crepes, both savory and sweet crepes.  The owner, Br. Samy Fars has gone through alot of trouble to provide all halal meat, even though most of his customers are not Muslim.  The restaurant is small, but very classy and a nice change compared to most Halal restaurants which have little or no interior decor or concept of friendly service.  My favorite items are the chicken poulet crepe, the cafe grillades burger (one of the best burgers I have had) and for dessert you can’t beat the banana crepe with caramel!  I highly recommend this place to bring your guests as it will be a very unique Halal experience that you can’t find anywhere else in the Bay Area (and perhaps in the country:))! Go to www.cafegrillades.com for more info.

Gulzaar Bakery and Restaurant

3. Gulzaar Halal in San Jose, CA (located a couple miles away from Valley Fair Mall).  This use to be a Lebanese bakery (Called “Just Laziz”) which served Manakesh and other similiar items, but was bought by Imam Omar Farooq Desai who use to own Hala-B’s sandwich spot in Sunnyvale a few years back.  He has brought back his famous Beef Kabab and Shredded chicken sandwiches to Gulzaar.  The french bread roll is one of the best sandwich bread I have ever had, and I still don’t know where he get’s it from!  Imam Farooq still has the Lebanese items on the menu, but has added some Indian-Pakistani favorites such as biriyani and samosas.  Try the Beef Kabab Sandwich (medium spicy) and you will not be disappointed! The chicken biriyani is good too:) Go to www.gulzaar.net for more info.

New Yorkers Buffalo Wings in San Francisco, CA

4. New Yorkers Buffalo Wings in San Francisco, CA (in the Mission District).  Although the parking is difficult and it may not be in the best of areas, this place is worth trying out when you are in SF, especially if it’s late at night and most Halal places are closed, this place is open till 3am on Friday and Saturday nights!  The wings are excellent.   My favorite wing sauce is the Spicy one, although BBQ and Teriyaki are very good as well.  I usually get the Supreme Philly Cheesesteak, which is excellent since it’s very cheesy and has alot of meat!  The interior decor of the place is clean and spacious and they have a large TV in the corner where you can watch movies or sports. Go to www.nywings.com for more info.

Sala Thai 2 in Fremont, CA

5. Sala Thai II in Fremont, CA (Located in an industrial office park).  I like Thai food, because it’s a mix of Chinese and Indian food and spicier than both!  The interior decor of this restaurant is very nice with polished wood tables, shiny black seats and colorful yet elegant tiles on the walls.  Our family usually celebrates some kind of birthday, anniversary or special occassion at this restaurant, as everyone enjoys the food.  Get the Hot soup with prawns (or chicken) and Yellow Curry Chicken.  The sati is good, as well as the BBQ chicken or beef.  I liked the garlic wings for appettizer and Drunken Noodles for main course.  Try the Thai Iced Tea as well the fresh coconut milk.  For dessert try the “Roti” (tiny pieces of bread with condensed milk and sugar on top).  Note that there are two locations, but only Sala Thai II serves Halal meat.  Go to www.salathai-restaurant.com for more info.

You can see these as well as the rest of my reviews on Zabihah.com.  If you have an iPhone, download the Zabihah application from iTunes, so that you can quickly find your local halal restaurants, grocery and meat stores, masjids and Muslim owned businesses while on the go!

Irfan “Mr. Zabihah.com” Rydhan

लबों से चूम लो, आँखों से थाम लो मुझको
तुम्ही से जन्मूँ तो शायद मुझे पनाह मिले

दो सौंधे-सौंधे से जिस्म जिस वक़्त
एक मुट्ठी में सो रहे थे
बता तो उस वक़्त मैं कहाँ था?
बता तो उस वक़्त तू कहाँ थी?

मैं आरजू की तपिश में पिघल रही थी कहीं
तुम्हारे जिस्म से होकर निकल रही थी कहीं
बड़े हसीन थे जो राह में गुनाह मिले
तुम्ही से जन्मूँ तो शायद मुझे पनाह मिले

तुम्हारी लौ को पकड़ने की आरजू में
जब अपने ही आप से लिपट के सुलग रहा था
बता तो उस वक़्त मैं कहाँ था?
बता तो उस वक़्त तू कहाँ थी?

तुम्हारी आँखों के साहिल से दूर कहीं
मैं ढूंढती थी मिले खुश्बुओं का नूर कहीं
वहीँ रूकीं हूँ जहाँ से तुम्हारी राह मिले
तुम्ही से जन्मूँ तो शायद मुझे पनाह मिले

Slumdogs? Shame on us to say 'Jai Ho'!

Millions of Congratulations to Sonia ‘Maino’ Gandhi’s closely held family Mafiso firm  called ‘Congress’ for keeping the Millions of Indians in perpetual poverty. The Election time is the right or most opportune time for them (Congress and it’s acolytes) to reap benefits for keeping the majority of Indians ‘perpetually poor’ though ‘ the ONE Mr. ‘Q’ – just an Italian country mate - was ‘legally’ made to fleece the Indians of their money and  get away with it. Thanks ‘Madame’s’ Prime Minions for small Mercies! Huh!

Congratulations! Why? You ask !!! 

Why? Because…

Congress has misruled India for the major part since 1947 ensuring ‘ONLY’ the making of ‘Millions of Slumdogs’ and equally ensuring ‘Millions’ are made off them …for… ???? 

Agar Slums Na Hote Tou to ‘Slumdogs’ Na Hotey,

Slumdogs Na Hotey; To Oscars Na Hotey. 

Isiliye ‘Jai Ho’ Is Congress Ki ???? 

If guided ‘poverty tourism’ by the ‘Clown Prince with a License to ruin rule’ was not an effective advertisement of their ‘callibre’ then approperating Slumdog Millionaire’s song celeberating their achievements leave us in no doubt. No doubt whatsoever – who gets maximum votes (for keeping Million ‘other’  Indians as Dogs in Slums) or Notes to stash in ‘gupt’ – not any more - Swiss Banks. 

SO JAI HO !!!!! Really ???? 

‘Another chance’ for this selected or any another PRIME MINION @ the mercy of ‘Her Majesty’ to produce ‘Million more SlumDogs’? 

BHAY HO!

Thanks Mallika for posting the above video.

PI.

Jai Ho!       

Cartoon courtesy: Missplayers

The Election Commission has not only exceeded its brief but has made a fool of self by asking BJP not to field Varun Gandhi. It is sad if not outright stupid. Former Election Commissioner GVG Krishnamurthy explains why.

The Election Commission has no jurisdiction to take action against Gandhi” for his alleged inflammatory speeches.

The model code of conduct comes into effect only after President Pratibha Patil notifies the elections in the official gazette. Till then Gandhi cannot be considered an Election Commission recognized candidate.

The commission has acted in haste in moving against Gandhi for violation of the model code of conduct under the provisions of the Representation of Peoples Act 1951.

Only the police can move against him under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for inciting communal passions.

As of now Varun is only a probable candidate and an ordinary citizen against whom action can be taken only under the IPC if he makes inflammatory statements.

The Election Commission has no role to play till the notification of elections by the president.

‘Wonder of Wonders’! This time I found this ‘Chamcha in Chief’ in agreement with me though he is still defending ‘Dynastic Scion’ albeit on the other side of political divide. Good going CIC. You know well how to keep the both sides of bread buttered.

The ‘really actual’ fun will began … of course at our cost…when Shri Shri Naveen Chawala will take over as the ‘CHIEF’ Election Commissioner on April 21st- right in the middle of this election 2009- courtesy the Sonia ‘Maino’ Gandhi’s handpicked Prime Minion and Your President. But then… for some, ‘Dynasty is always superior to Democracy’ despite this sane advice “If we fail democracy, democracy will fail us.”

JAI HO!

BCCI to stage IPL abroad over security issues.

JAI HO!

We a BILLION strong nation comes to standstill because we are a ‘Democracy’!!??

JAI HO?

With Sonia ‘Maino’ Gandhi as ‘Supreme most’ we can not hold a ‘domestic tournament’ even in our Billion strong nation!

JAI HO!

With ‘Economist’ Prime Minion ‘alleged’ to be at the helm of affairs of BILLION strong nation – hardly seen or reported or recognized as – even by the ‘babas and babes’ of Congress; leave alone ‘AAM ADAMI’!!!

JAI HO!

Last but not least three cheers for ‘Your President’ too…

JAI HO! JAI HO!! JAI HO!!!

My dear friend Mallika has posted this video asking who’s ‘Jai Ho’?

Congress Ki Ya Janata Ki?

See this video here and send to as many as you can. Congress might have BOUGHT the copyright and deservedly so. I choose to say ‘Jai Ho’…  

Mallika, JANATA KI HI JAI HOTI HAI OR HOTI RAHEGI.

IS LIYE ‘JAI HO’ JANATA KI.

PI.

On a Whole its a nice album,”Khudaya Khair” is must listen, “Marjaani” “and Love mera hit”  is nice, “You Get Me Rockin and Reelin” is also a good song.

Star Cast: Shahrukh Khan,Irrfan Khan, Lara Dutta, Kareena Kapoor,Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone

Director: Priyadarshan Producer: Gauri Khan

Music Director: Pritam Chakraborty

Release Date: February 13, 2009

Download All Songs ZIP Format

Download Individual Songs

Full Review:
So Sharukh first time with priyadarshan, Billu barber music is expected to be nice, as priyadarshan’s movie always have some good music scores and SRK’s every movie does it. Pritam is music director and number of lyricist are there.

First Song “Marjaani” , The song has Kareena in it along with SRK, The lyrics on this one are by Gulzaar,Sukhwinder and Sunidhi sung it, nice song, have a feel like garam masala title song, but this song have a nice starting and nice pace too, surely gonna be a chartbuster. Sukhvinder specially is very good.

Next comes , Love mera Hit Hit , sung by Neeraj Shridhar and Tulsi Kumar . The lyrics by Ashish Pandit and Mayur Puri, Lyrics are ok, music is very nice, starting tune is similar to Tha karke from Golamaal Returns. But song is very nice. Tulsi kumar impreses in antras. The song sometimes also sounds similar to “U and I” from Naksha.

The third song has a guest appearance of Priyanka Chopra in it , “You Get Me Rockin and Reelin”. this song is very melodious. Nice and different song, Neeraj sung it and lyrics by Sayyed Quadri makes a good impact.

After this comes, “Ae Aa O” ,lyrics by Neeraj Sridhar and it has been sung by KK ,Rana Mazumder & Suraj. Just a OK song but guitar is awesome. Looks like a introduction song for SRK in movie.

“Jaoon Kahan”, has been written by Sayeed Quadri, sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is a Sad song, lyrics are OK, but vocals are very great sounds little similar to Jag Suna Suna Lage from Om Shanti Om, Aalap are great. Lyrics of antras are awesome.

“Billu Bhayankar” , lyrics written by Gulzaar sung by Ajay Jhingaran , Raghuveer and Kalpana is a fun track, but lacks a rhythm in song, also lyrics are just OK.  Antras are little impressive.

Best song from album, Very melodious, “Khudaya Khair” . written by Gulzaar, Soham did a excellent job in Vocals, Chorus are great, Lyrics are very nice, Antras are great. A complete nice song. must listen.

Now all remixes just as always heavy beats added, a new thing is few songs has been sung by other singer in remixes version. Remixes of Love mera hit is nice, Khuday kher in reprise  version is sung by Abhijeet and nice one.

On a Whole its a nice album,”Khudaya Khair” is must listen, “Marjaani” “and Love mera hit”  is nice, “You Get Me Rockin and Reelin” is also a good song.

Vocals: ***

Music: ***

Lyrics:***

Overall Rating: *** [Nice]

tere bina zindagi se koi shikva to nahi

shikva nahi, shikva nahi

tere bina zindagi bhi lekin,

zindagi to nahi

Kaash aisa ho tere kadmo se chun ke manjil chale

aur kahin duur kahin

tum gar saath ho to manizilon ki kami to nahi

jee main aata hai tere daaman main sar chupa ke hum

rote rahe rote rahe

teri hi aankhon main aasuon ki kami to nahi

tere bina zindagi se koi shikva to nahi

shikva nahi shikva nahi

This is one of the best ads I have seen lately. It is the new anthem of Times of India’s campaign Lead India. I was back home when TOI started the India Poised initiative. It was in the news papers all over .The Lead India campaign part of India poised initiative was all about a single word “DO”. This campaign is everything about action.”Tum Chalo” anthem certainly says it all. It shows how a small force can trigger change. I know many of us are eager to do something for our India. But we are all waiting for a big great idea, that we believe can transform India overnight. But the message the video wants to convey is simple, you can make a big difference with a small initiative like this.

कैसी जाने बूंदे आई, जाने कैसा दर्द लायी
सामने क्या हैं ये तेरे, क्यों रुका हैं तू बता रे,
कौन तुझ को पार लेगा, कौन होगा वो मसीहा
वो जीसे तू दूंड ताहैं वो ही हैं तू, तू वोही हैं
तुज मे तेरा रास्ता हैं, तुझ मे तेरा हैं सहारा
तूही तुझ को पार लेगा, तूही हैं तेरा किनारा
तुज मे तेरा रास्ता हैं, तुझ मे तेरा हैं सहारा
तूही तुझ को पार लेगा, तूही हैं तेरा किनारा
..कीसे दूंड़ता हैं, तूही हैं तेरा सहारा

-Written by Gulzaar, Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Sung by Shankar Mahadevan

Ye lamha jee lene de…

Pehle se likha,

Kuch bhi nahi…

Roz naya kuch,

Likhti hai tu…

Jo bhi likha hai, dil se jiya hai…

Ye lamha…

Filhaal jee lene de.

Masoom si hansi, bewajah hi kabhi,

Hothon pe khil jaati hai..

Anjaan si khushi, behti hui kabhi,

Saahil pe mil jaati hai…

Ye anjaana safar, Ajnabi hai magar,

Khoobsoorat hai jee lene de,

Ye lamha…

Filhaal jee lene de…

Palkon me rehta hai, Aankho se behta hai,

Bachha sa ik khwab hai…

Lagta sawaal hai, shayad jawab hai,

Dil fir bhi betaab hai…

Ye junoo hai to hai, ye sukoon hai to hai,

Khoobsoorat hai, jee lene de,

Ye lamha,

Filhaal jee lene de.

Filhaal jee lene de…

posted by dee, and we absolutely love this song…

कभी सामने आता मिलने उसे
बड़ा नाम् उसका है मशहूर है

है लौ ज़िंदगी ज़िंदगी नूर है
मगर इस पे जलने का दस्तूर
है लौ ज़िंदगी

भवर पास है चल पहन ले इसे
किनारे का फदा बहुत दूर है

है लौ ज़िंदगी ज़िंदगी नूर है
मगर इस पे जलने का दस्तूर
है लौ ज़िंदगी

सुना है वो ही करने वाला है सब
सुना है के इंसान मज़बूर है

है लौ ज़िंदगी ज़िंदगी नूर है
मगर इस पे जलने का दस्तूर
है लौ ज़िंदगी

आईना दिख के तसल्ली हुई
हमको इस घर में जानता है कोई।

फक गया है सज़र पे फल शायद
फिर से पत्थर उछालता है कोई।

फिर नज़र में लहू के छींटे हैं
तुमको शायद मुग़ालता है कोई।

देर से गूँजते हैं सन्नाटे
जैसे हमको पुकारता है कोई।

–
मुग़ालता = Illusions
सज़र = Branch

इश्क में और कुछ नहीं होता
आदमी बावरा सा रहता है
जाने क्यूँ जी भरा सा रहता है
सहमा सहमा डरा सा रहता है

एक पल देख लूँ तो उठता हूँ
एक पल देख लूँ
एक पल देख लूँ तो उठता हूँ
जल गया सब जरा सा रहता है
जाने क्यूँ जी भरा सा रहता है
सहमा सहमा डरा सा रहता है

चाँद जब आसमाँ पे आ जाए
आप का आसरा सा रहता है
जाने क्यूँ जी भरा सा रहता है
सहमा सहमा डरा सा रहता है
सहमा सहमा डरा सा रहता है