5. Sunrise to Sunset.

Chadta Suraj dheere dheere dhalta hai dhal jaayega…
These are the opening lines of a song (actually a Qawaali) that talks about the transitory nature of life and time. These lines literally mean that the sun that rises; slowly will set in a while.

There was time when I would feel that the song is really very meaningful and is well-written. There are a couple of hard hitting lines where a reference is made to Alexander’s situation at the time of his death.

Yaad rakh Sikander ke hausle to aali the… Jab gaya wo Duniya se, dono haath khaali theIt means – Remember, Alexander had great aspirations throughout his life but when he left the world, both his hands were empty.

Besides, there are many such striking lines and verses in this entire song. Reviewing and explaining the song is not my objective nevertheless. What I intend is to focus on the phase of my life I have thought this song along.

The next phase of life was where I found this song to be extremely depressing and meaningless. I would transit myself into a state of despair on listening to this song. I would say to self – Why do I not want to enjoy and live the present moment and phase of life? Why do I want to think on such disheartening lines that make me feel gloomy and blue?

Thinking this I started disliking the song. Of course, I would enjoy it thoroughly when it was sung or whenever I would listen to it but then that was just because of the environment that it created.

Now that a significant part of life has passed away and the end is swiftly nearing, I feel like pondering over the song; this time not to learn the meaning behind it but to experience the essence of it.

Kal jo tan ke chalte the apni shaan-o-shaukat par, shamma tak nahi jalti aaj unki gurbat par
Yesterday those who were proudly walking down with chest-wide-open, today even the candles on their grave aren't lit.

Dilip is gonna be Yesterday soon!!!

4. Mad Mad Mad.

Things that shud make me feel sad, I feel happy about them…
Things that shud make me happy, I feel they are sad…
I am going mad mad mad

Things that are bad, I feel they are good for my life
Things that are good for me, I feel they are bad
I am going mad mad mad

People whose influence is ruining my life, I go ga-ga about them
Those who think for my betterment, about them I don’t feel glad
I am going mad mad mad

Thinking about life seems to be just a waste of time….
There is nothing thats gonna affect me until I am fully clad…
I am going mad mad mad

3. Paheli Puzzlewaala.

Thinking of you creates a spellbound feeling within me. The entire environment within and around is filled with an eternal fragrance that soothes my heart. Your heavenly touch creates a striking reverberation in my senses. The best of all the chords are pale in front of your incredible voice. I simply adore your presence which makes me feel existent. The beauty of your being is the driving force of my life.

I love you. I feel you.

You are more than life to me. You are the one whom I am living for. I have always designed my life taking you into consideration. I earn for you. I yearn for you. Every step I take and every move I make, you are never out of my sight. Our bonding is immense to an extent that makes me feel a relation of several ages. My love for you is ever-growing. I have forgotten myself completely.

I am talking about Paheli Puzzlewaala, who is the only motivation behind my life.

You got to guess, Who is Paheli Puzzlewaala?

2. Happy Birthday Mr. Netakar.

“Happy Birthday Mr Aniti Bhaiji Saaheb Netakar. May you complete the century of your life.”

As soon as I move out of my house and even before I finish a kilometer of a stroll or a ride, my eyeballs hit umpteen such billboards wishing birthdays, anniversaries and victories and so to say, achievements. Each poster wishing a so-called administrator carries numerous signatures of so-very-called well-wishers. Most of the well-wishers are pretty much unknown faces for me. Leave aside well-wishers, many a times the administrator is also quite a stranger. I really don’t know if he is an authorized one or a self or party nominated position.

What do I have to do with these shakha pramukhs and shakha up-paramukhs (branch presidents and vice-presidents)? Why do I need to care about their birthdays and anniversaries? Why do these people who claim to clean up the city and make it a better place to live do promote such things that makes the city more chaotic with regards to ‘look and feel’? What is the point in so much of boasting? Do they fear that by not doing such things, they won’t get votes? Or for that matter, are they living with the perception that by doing such things they would be gaining votes? Whatever it is, do these guys have the right to mess up with the looks of the city? Have they lost their senses? Do they feel that the common man has lost his senses? What the buck! (Yes, it’s a typo)

What is the law and order doing? Why can’t they enforce some law as a result of which such cr#p is averted?

I remember nearly a decade ago when these parties would campaign during election by painting the walls and a fiery election commissioner put an end to it. It needs to happen again.

I am and want to stay happy wishing my folks on their birthdays and anniversaries through the medium of phone / text / f2f.

PS: Thank you Samir for suggesting the title.

1. Slowdown.

Faster I run, nearer comes the end
Hence I would like to reverse the trend
Contra to the idea of turning town in metro
I would rather return; live happily in retro