Blood Sex Sugar MagiK

Google +

2011-07-05T01:05:00.002+05:30

Checking out most of the tech and social news sites over the past few days you’d be overwhelmed by the number of times Google has been in the news. Apart from the much awaited release of plus, the folks up at Mountain View CA have been busy with this and this. It would seem for quite some time too.

And suddenly we see a flurry of activity coming out of Google. Apps, new services, makeovers, etcetera etcetera. And while news of all of this has spread across the web (I believe the correct term is going viral) you have to wonder what went on at the Google HQ that led to such a sudden flurry of activity on Google’s part.

The Anti Google Sentiment

Remember “Don’t Be Evil”? Google’s motto, since its inception has come to be considered a matter of considerable ridicule. Try searching the term on Google itself. After the customary Wikipedia links, most of the other results are centered around how Google has been shifting its own stand on several matters away from that expression.

Even the non-keenest of observer would notice that anti-Google sentiment has been on a rise in the past couple of years. For quite a while, Google’s privacy has been called into question. More recently it has been in the news for not being as open as it claims to be. Also surveys are showing that people are spending lesser and lesser time on Google. Also China has blocked Google due to privacy concerns. More recently the Federal Trust Commission (FTC) has also been investigating Google for what it calls Anti-Trust issues.And to top it all, Google’s greatest threat Facebook has been gradually causing a brain drain from Google.

Worrying Times

When it comes to the internet, sentiment counts for a lot. With so much talk about Google’s wrongdoings, you have to wonder what these guys were doing all this while to counter all of it. Not too much apparently. Sure there were the usual little tweaks to search. And yes Android, Google’s open source mobile OS was a runaway hit.

However Bing, (Microsoft’s search engine) was also gradually gaining popularity. Google had also failed to really make any real headway into social, the next big thing online after search. Worrying times indeed.

Cometh the Hour…

Cometh +. Google’s answer to all its troubles. A one stop personalized solution to social media, search and group interactions. Makes you wonder, so this is what they’ve been doing all the time?

I have a feeling that the Google CEO shuffle had a large part to play in this. As Vic Gundotra himself notes, Larry has been involved very deeply with this project from the start.

So how does Google + solve Google’s myriad problems? Well for starters what these guys did was they sat and analyzed the world of social media today and its limitations. Privacy has been an issue among most social networks around today. How you control what you share online is extremely ambiguous and has led to serious repercussions for some.

Google + as the guys at Google are portraying it is a step forward in solving this problem. And in the greater context of things, it is an effort on Google’s part to portray an attempt at improving the world of social media. And indirectly earn brownie points for improving Google’s reputation.

Then, of course there is the other news. Google Calendar is getting a new look. Even the Gmail interface is getting cleaned up. It’s almost like the guys at Google are saying that although it may seem like we had dropped the ball lately, actually we have been very busy trying to make the online world a better place.

As we are exposed to a new and improved Google, the strategy seems to be paying off. At least initially. Google + has received quite good reviews. People are talking about it on and off line. Suddenly sentiments about Google aren’t so anti anymore.

And think about it. As a strategy it isn’t too bad. I mean some of the great minds at Google put their heads together and design something social that is aimed at improving the networking on the internet. And let’s face it. Networking sites do have problems. Most of us, at some point of time or the other have had privacy issues with the content we share. If a service helps us improve that then well, why not? It’s like saying I know that you haven’t had a great impression of me lately, but wait till you see what I’ve done for you. It might help change your stand.

I love this attitude Google has. Don’t you?

Namkoroner Sharthokota

2011-06-25T23:44:00.002+05:30

Back in college, I used to have a band.

That statement seems surreal enough to get started. Used to.

I remember several incidents. Times when each of us fucked up. Played the wrong note. Missed the timing. Destroyed the song. In practice and live.

Oh well. Whatever. Nevermind.

Saptarshi, Shinjanda, Soumyadeepda, Andyda, Shreyadi, Tutan. This is for you guys. Have you ever had a better time than when we were on stage playing our shit? Or when, after a long nights recording session, we stood at bodhi's terrace and stared at the south city sights. That unspoken silence conveying the magic that we created the night before?

Have you, any of you, ever felt that utter satisfaction you felt after the History honours gig that we did? Ever??

We have to get back to what we do best guys. We have to.

The Acceptance Speech

2011-03-28T23:35:00.002+05:30

So you say you're different. Not like them. Growing up, in school and in college you could never fit in. You always had that something in you that kept you apart. What you liked, what you preferred, was never mainstream. And you were proud of it. So proud that you based your entire existence on that very uniqueness.

Today you still pride yourself on that fact. You listen to Duke Ellington while the guy in the next cubicle listens to Himesh. You talk of Shakespeare and of Fellini. Your superiority is obvious. But only to you.

Because he, the next guy, and the guy next to him have a huge advantage over you. He has accepted his mediocrity. No qualms, no second thoughts. And he works his ass off at his work, at his life. And he fits right in. But you don't. Not because you're superior to him. Because you think you are.

Accept it sonny. You're no different from him. His life is right at par with yours. Better maybe. And guess what. You ain't getting any brownie points for your so called "superiority". You think you know more of the world, more of everything than he does. Doesn't matter. Because at the end of the day, you have to fit in to his world. There's no point in trying to change him. But beware, one day he will change you.

One day you will wake up to realise that the ray of sunlight bathing your room in a warm glow does not bear the call of a brand new day open with possibilities. It's just marks the beginning of another 24 hours. 24 in which you have to wake up and do the same shit he does, among people exactly like him. And you have to do it better. Because, bet your ass boy, he is working away at that mindless bullshit with way more diligence and discipline than you ever can. Because you keep convincing yourself that you should be doing much more than this, that you are capable of greater deeds.

You're not. You are and always will be exactly like him. There is no them. It's all Us.

I sincerely thank all of you for this award. You have no idea how much it means for me to be accepted and loved as a mediocre person. Thank you.

On Quora

2011-01-23T21:37:00.004+05:30

So I used Quora. To be honest with you, I did not really expect a QA platform to be the next big thing in the world of social media. But as it turns out, Quora has caught on. And how.

Quora has done certain things effectively. For starters, it has taken an age old tradition of having QA forums and given it a social turn. Most Googlers, searching for information on the web are taken either to Wikipedia or to QA forums (like this and this for us, the one's who like to code). So its nothing new.

What Quora has done is taken this formula, which works and applied a social aspect to it. It has taken aspects of google wave, facebook and twitter. And made a beautiful implementation. Some of the features of quora, that immediately attracted me(and several others, it seems), would be:

Content which is both objective and subjective in nature - This illustrates my point beautifully. And though as Daniel rightly points out, it'll be some time before quora can replace wiki's or google search in general, it has opened up a platform where you can not only get your queries on anything under the sun answered, the methodology and the approach it implements leads to some interesting possibilities.
Easy to understand and well defined user interaction - I remember when people first started joined facebook in India, it seemed a hugely daunting task to actually figure the damn thing out. But I did not have that problem with Quora. There are users, there are categories. You ask questions. Or you answer them. Or you rate answers. And if your answers are rated, you get credibility. Simple. And it works beautifully. Also you can choose to follow people, topics or particular questions. And receive notification in case of any updates.
Get what you want - The problem we've all faced with facebook is that it suffers from a lack of segregation. Just visit my wall and you'll come across interesting technical reads I've posted alongside my party pictures from last Saturday. It's all fine and dandy, except there are certain people who are interested in the party pictures and some who are interested in the articles and some who are interested in both. Facebook has solved this problem by making all of it available to everyone on my friends list. However Quora has a more interesting take on this issue. You can choose to follow people and topics that the people you follow are following. This filters the content to a great extent and only what you want is presented to you.
Reliability - This is a slightly dicey point but i believe that the rating system that Quora has implemented should enable the user to judge the reliability of the answers. The internet has become so vast and enormous that it is not possible for any one organization to verify content. The buzz word of today is user generated content. The veracity of such content is questionable to say the least. What these people (like others before them) have done is taken an algorithmic approach to rate the genuineness of the user who generates the content. What they have done differently is put this entire formula in a social aspect. This introduces a gaming aspect to Quora. You answer questions with the hope that people will rate you answer. You try to ask intelligent questions to extricate the most number of intelligent answers. You can almost hear the social machinery working in the background. And getting people to pull their pants up.

Given all of this quora still has a long way to go. Today most of the answers and discussions over there are related to Silicon Valley matters. The user base has to expand to include experts in other fields. But this incurs the risk of including too many users, thus drastically cutting down on the reliability issue.

Also the question has to be raised. What exactly is Quora? Its is a blog? Is it networking? Or Superman? My take on this is, it could be all of the above. As with most Social websites with user interactions, the websites seem to take their own course. A perfect example can be found here.

So as its user base expands, how Quora evolves and emerges could be very different from what we see it as today.

It remains to be seen if Quora can keep up its newfound popularity. However I strongly believe that this is a new step towards the future of Social Media with products that are better aligned towards specific user needs. Fingers crossed.

2011-01-09T22:58:00.003+05:30

Time out.
Buy me some free speech.

Line out.

Can you hear the guitar preach?

Round about

Is not the way I like to come to the point.

Not out

Said the man with a sly grin.

No doubt

You won't agree once again.

Time out

I could use a little space.

Now i understand, what you tried to say to me.....

2010-10-30T01:19:00.004+05:30

I have often wondered what I would say if I were asked about you. How I would be able to express in words what you mean to me? Would I speak about the time when I first heard your voice telling me a story? Or would I remember those innumerable moments when I have lifted my glass to celebrate your voice. Or those times, when in a dimly lit room, overflowing with your voice, I have had the strangest of realizations, moments of epiphany if you will. Or those lonely nights, when you have inspired me to write. Music, poetry. Or just an amalgamation of thoughts.

I would be at a loss for words. Or rather, mere language would not be able to describe what your music means to me. Over the years, I have grown up with you. Laughed and cried with you. Gotten high on you. You have been there through the thick. And the thin.

For being with me over the past four years. For giving me the pleasure of listening to you live tonight.

If, by the slimmest of chances, you happen to read this, thank you Shahana di. Thank you so very much.

On DP....

2010-10-17T21:59:00.002+05:30

A myriad of thoughts are running through my head as I sit to write this down. DP 2010 just ended. A li'l birdie said Calcutta is like an addictive intoxicant. Looking back at Pujo over the last decade I have to say I agree. Most of the fondest memories, most of those unforgettable moments which remain embedded in our minds like photographs have occurred during these four days of revelry. When people, irrespective of who they are and what social status they belong to, take to the streets to experience the thrill that is Pujo. When the crowd in front of the pandals are paralleled only by the throngs of expectant people in front restaurants (permanent, makeshift or otherwise). Every year for four days, Kolkata goes from being just a city to being a celebration. Of the goodess, of good over evil. Of life.

As usual on Doshomi, I got nostalgic, introspective. And I realised that I've been through quite a few pujos. And each one has these memories. Memories which define not only the Pujo of that year, but in a certain way, the year itself. 2001 was when I went on an expedition organised by school to judge the pujos. Puja Utkarsha Samman, I believe is what it was called. 2003 was the year we played at this complex in Lake Gardens and was my first time playing guitar on stage with a band. 2005 was the first time I hung out out with people who have since become almost family. I actually have quite a few fond memories of that pujo. Kaan dhore taanle matha ashe. Rommo would know.

2007. Gig at Andy's. St. Xaviers. Leather dude at Maddox. Gandhi.

Eight was about Mani Square, 104.8 fm. Stolen food. Ha!

2009 was special. MAAAA! is all I have to say about that year.

So as DP 2010 comes to an end, I feel the usual pangs of saying goodbye to Her. And the joy she brings. And I realise once again how the circle of life has this strange way to even the playing field. And how everything is changing. And how that change affects us.

Aashche bochor abaar hobe.

2010-09-17T18:32:00.002+05:30

Hard work always pays. Remember to work very very hard guys. You will get appreciated for every ounce of effort you put in.

Someday.

How long it's been since yesterday, and what about tomorrow?

2010-04-29T23:21:00.004+05:30

Bimbo's note brought back memories. Lots and lots of them. And got me writing this.

You could have sensed it coming. A little connection here. A little, "haan, oke toh ami chini. Amar shathe Eco tuition e porto" there. Random associations built over years of school life but never really explored.

Till it exploded. In first year of college. A bunch of strange, weird people who found each other in this mad mad world. And found a little tea shop near Southern Avenue. And a certain cosy little flat on the 7th floor. And the J.U. hanging bridge. And the Presidency maath. And Chini's. And Pao Chien. And Aasma.

And love.

It's been a while since then. 5 years to be exact. Life has taken it's course with those group of people. Love has been found and lost. And found again. Music has been made. And unmade. Movies have been watched, songs fallen in love with.Tears have been shed, laughter has been shared.

In those 5 years, some people have come and gone. Circumstances have changed. Beliefs, ideals, principles. Most of it has changed. But the people still remain. Steadfast

It is difficult to say what exactly would have happened if I had not accepted an invitation to go drink at a random girls house sometime in September 2005. Or if I hadn't invited a friend for coffee at a coffee shop December of that year. Difficult to imagine life without these completely random events and their truly immense outcomes.

Very very difficult.

Us and Them...

2010-04-05T23:18:00.002+05:30

People. That is what my world revolves around. To be more precise, people I can call my own. I breathe through them, they provide me with my nourishment. Essentially they are the bane of my existence.

People who are better known to me as my friends. A friend, a friend once said, is someone who just is. Someone whose existence zigzags around mine, with very frequent intersections.

But what happens when, suddenly, overnight those intersections stop? When one line goes off in a complete tangent to the other and there is an almost unattainable distance between the two lines. Can mere electromagnetic waves, or social media bridge that gap? Can two lines, existing miles apart be joined together?

I think I know the answer. It is Yes. And No.

Yes, because of all the previous intersections between the lines, the lines themselves become inherently similar. No matter how far apart they may be, the essence of the two lines are still the same and will continue to remain so for some time. It is this fact and this fact alone that can keep the lines connected still. Electromagnetic waves or social media has nothing to do with it. Absolutely nothing.

But on the other side, the two lines which have drifted apart now intersect with other lines. It is imperative that they do, because it is those intersections that give meaning to the line. To life.

The lines that we leave behind in life are very very precious. Because those are the lines, the lives that define ours. But so are the lives that we come across anew. They two are not comparable. They are separate, independent. Beautiful in their own ways.

And both are equally important. For you and for me. And for the entire human race.

Amen.

All that you can't leave behind

2010-02-22T22:31:00.003+05:30

As far as life is concerned, i have come a long way. The world, my world. Its different these days. Way different. I don't get calls at 6 in the evening for that regular round of "Kaka CHA". I don't walk from VP, round past the bhel puri shops, past fulla to Lake Wine pick up the customary Old Monk. I don't stare out of shaat tola at the Kolkata skyline, at the imposing Ashoka, while sipping on the said Old Monk. Neither do I wake up late and walk to Weatherburn Road after buying two Gold Flake Kings. Nor do I stay up late at night, alone in my room on the internet or on the phone.

But what I do is wake up at six for a customary crap and bath. Then I iron (unless Abesh, my roomie graciously does it for me). That is followed by a hurried walk to the bus stand for the bus. Which goes to office. Office is this place which spans an area of 30 acres of land. It has separate lockers, an automatic shoe polisher. The works. The people aren't too bad. they're quite good in fact. At least some of them.

Weekends mean alchohol. Or to be more precise, Old monk Gold Reserve quarters. It's strange how i hardly ever use the term 'nip' anymore. A nip does not exist anymore. A quarter does. It's the same thing. Just that it isn't. How could it ever? But the PG is a lovely place. The ambience as well as the people. That, I like.

I haven't played guitar in the longest time. The air guitar playing is becoming more and more prominent. Something needs to be done about that.

There is an inherent air of freedom all around. To do what you choose. And be responsible for those choices. More than ever. My life now is in my hands. To make or break.

You have to be brave. You have to hold on. You have to look the world in the eye and say, "Bring it On". And face reality. Head high. Elbows straight. No loopholes. Cannot afford them.

My life has changed. Once and for all.

It's been quite a while since I last saw a lot of people. And the fact that those people still miss me means a lot. It does.

The Sea...

2010-02-01T22:35:00.003+05:30

is alive. It has, just like regular people, moods, an intellect, a love for for the aesthetic. Which is strange because it in itself is one of nature's most beautiful creations.

As is the moon. When it shines in its full glory. On the ocean. Creating ripples of light that are destroyed as soon as they are created. And that moment captures something which is so pristine, so numinous that it leaves any conscious being speechless.

A wise man once said that the best things in life are free. True that. I'm paying my PG rent for accomodation, meals and a free wi fi internet connection. However I'm not paying a single penny for the beach that is a five minute walk. It however is worth paying millions for.

Strangely enough, 3000 miles from home, I feel closer to mother nature than I've ever felt before...

2010-01-15T23:55:00.003+05:30

People miss glass onion. Well so do I. I miss the little things. Things that I associate with the band I was a part of.

There is this cake shop. Monginis I believe. A little tiny shop right opposite Navina cinema. A tiny little shop where you get double layered sandwidches. And cold drinks. Just one of several around the city.

Except this shop will always be synonymous with glass onion. For me at least. A shop where, before every princeton gig, we used to eat.

The Sandwich. The patties. The cakes. The fanta's. I remember even the tiniest details.

Funny how life moves on. But the details of the life that was never do. They haunt this tiny little crevice at the extreme corner of your mind. And come to the forefront once in a while.

I never thought too much about the shop during those days. It's a bit like life i guess.....

Please don't call me nyaka

2010-01-09T00:10:00.003+05:30

Hi,

Two weeks later, tonight will be my last night in Kolkata. I do not know for how long. Kolkata. 23 years I've spent here. I am at a loss for words when it comes to this city. I remember this 1st of January, when Tia remarked at the racecourse, looking at the Kolkata skyline, "Damn, the city is so pretty."

That's just it. I have discovered this city anew so many times. In spite of all its shortcomings, all its faults. This is the 'toppest' place. Period. Don't argue with me otherwise, even with the strongest of convictions. I will not give in to your logic.

And just to think I will be leaving this city in two weeks. I cannot even begin to imagine the consequences. I can just recall a couple of lines from a song I like very much..

"And I hate when things are over,

When so much is left undone....."

Of all the things I'll leave undone in this city of joy, I wish I could have known you better. I mean you.I do. Really.....

In Memory

2009-12-26T23:08:00.003+05:30

In the year 2004, I had gone to Delhi for a trip with my parents. While on this trip, I had the pleasure of meeting up and spending some time with a bunch of four guys. I spent around half an hour sipping on hot tea and talking to these guys about the music they played and how their music had influenced me. It was one of those moments which come once in a lifetime. A moment when I got to spend time in the direct presence of people i considered to be my heroes. We spoke of music, influences, inspirations. For the teenager that I was, it was an exhilarating experience.

It's been over five years since then. The memory of that Carol Bagh house has dimmed considerably. The easy chair, the tea with no sugar at all. The black Johnnie Walker ashtray.

I was reminiscing about that day today. Nostalgia, or call it what you will. Because I learnt that one of those four people died yesterday.

At the age of 52, Asheem Chakravarti had a lot of music left in him. I'm sure. I can vaguely remember his laughter as Rahul Ram had cracked a joke. So full of life. Full of music. And so down to earth.

For someone who knew him for the entire length of 30 minutes i will miss him. And the music he could have made.....

2009-12-14T23:59:00.001+05:30

Bara ektu aage bolte ki hoi?jholate hebbi laage na leora?

Promises

2009-11-26T23:46:00.002+05:30

Have you ever seen the rain? Pitter, patter. Tiny droplets that create as much as they destroy. Like so many things in life, they are about balance, about healing.

Raindrops keep falling on my head. And I don't mind. As a matter of fact I enjoy. I feel like I'm being cleansed of all the dust, all the grime that I have gathered within.

Come rain. Or come shine. But I happen to prefer the rain. They say it is a dampener? Is it? Really? I never thought so. I always thought it to be the best thing.

November. I like it best when in rains in November. Somehow. I really do not know why.

However, as they say...

"...nothing lasts forever"

2009-11-23T22:47:00.001+05:30

She. And me. It's a picture i'll cherish for a long long time.

I SHALL NOW GUSH

2009-11-15T22:37:00.002+05:30

All my status messages on all public forums i am a part of read 'All those in Kolkata who did not attend the A.R. Rehman concert deserve to die'. I shall justify why now.

1. A.R. Rehman was performing live in Kolkata. Had there been no one else and had he come onstage for 15 mins and performed three tracks with loops playing behind him it would have been worthwhile just to get to see the man.

2. The atmosphere was electric. Kolkata's renowned fanatiscism has it's vices agreed(remember the Maradona incident?) But on this night the 70,000 odd Kolkatans at the venue created an air of such enthusiasm and excitement that just being among the crowd was an experience in itself.

3. This one is for all the bass players.Keith Peters was on bass. KEITH PETERS!!!!

4.The sound balancing blew me right off my feet. Not being rich, I could afford only 300 bucks tickets. That meant I was half a kilometer away from the stage. I was apprehensive about the sound. I needn't have worried. In a place like the Salt Lake Stadium, the reverb kills. Trust me, you think Nazrul Mancha is bad. This place is the king of bad reverbs. Yet the balancing was inch perfect. Not too loud. Perfect clarity even at a half kilometer distance. They had to balance at least 300 instruments(another thing I shall gush about shortly). They had to make sure that the speakers were angled correctly, that reflection was at a bare minimum, that the pitch was preserved. They had to equalize to a pin point precision. They had a radius of at least half a kilometer over an angle of 180 degrees over which they had to deliver this sound. I dont know how, but they got all this right.

5. The songs performed and the music production. We've ALL heard Rehman saab. We all know how utterly intricate his arrangements are, what a wide variety of instruments he uses andhow deep his melodies run. Performing that same production live, let me tell you from my limited experience my friends is no mean feat. And they did just that.All the instruments (over a hundred different ones at least) were clearly audible. Hell Sivamani himself used around 50, including a salad cutter that he played with two coins. Rehman played a grand piano for chrissake. The instruments were weaving in and out, were heard exactly when they were supposed to be and the lines were played perfectly. This in itself is a spectacle worth spending money on.

6. The choreography is not something I can comment on because I know so little about. But all I can say is that I loved it. They way they wove song and dance together to create the perfect harmony of audio and visual appeal was overwhelming. The costumes, the dance steps were all synchronized with the song so beautifully. and imagine the pressure on the musicians! You loose the tempo, not only do you jeopardize the song, you jeopardize the dancers. Says something huh?

7. The overall visual appeal. The lights, the pyrotechnics, MY GOD!!IF ever there was a complete performance, this would be it. There were flame burners in the front of the stage which would go off now and again. During the last song at least 20 brilliant crackers went off. The decoration of the stage was changing for every song and setting the mood for it. During the Qawalli set, the stage was completely transformed into a setting perfectly suited for the songs. This completely changed later during Hamma Hamma or Pappu Can't Dance. Visually, the gig was just out of this world.

8. You probably have read about the star studded cast that accompanied Rehman including Hariharan, Shweta Pandit, Javed Ali etc etc. If that was not good enough you had Sivamani playing percussions, Keith Peters playing bass, two mean guitar players(one of whom I thought was Neil Mukherjee, but i was mistaken). Also Usha Uthup doing Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na was just fabulous. The entire stadium was singing along. On top of that was the song list. Rehman's songs. Where do you start from and where do you end. Roja, Dil Se, Bombay, Rangeela. More recently Delhi 6, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, RDB. Each a classic in its own right. Jazz, blues, quawalli, ballads, you name it, he's composed it. And they played it. For four hours non stop.Unadulterated music.

I could literally go on and on. I will as a matter of fact. For the next month and a half, i will gush and gush some more about this. And there is nothing you can do to stop me. Absolutely nothing.

2009-11-09T01:28:00.001+05:30

It was once upon a time that I got hooked on to music. And now no matter how hard I try, I can't kick the habit.

Felt so good today...

2009-10-18T21:19:00.002+05:30

A little rum, for you and me

For all of us

A little song and dance.

A little sigh for all of us,

A little hug and goodbye.

The little hope that we would be

Together one more time.

A little tune that I remember,

A little song that speaks,

Of old friends and park benches,

Of when they meet again.

The hope...

2009-09-11T01:15:00.004+05:30

....that I can still hang out at the chaer dokan....that i can still gaze at the kolkata skyline from flat 7e of anondo apartments...that I can experience the thrill of listening to and playing music....

That my expectations from life stay as simple as these....

"dil hai chotasa.....choti si asha.."

2009-09-03T22:53:00.005+05:30

My speakers had conked out sometime back. I was without music for the past two weeks. It was horrible. And the irony of it all was not that I did not have money to but new speakers, but no time.

That being the case, I took an off from work today. I went and bought myself these

Dave Matthews never sounded so good in my life. Neither did Led Zeppelin, or Jack Johnson or John Mayer.

I am happy.

I guess working does have certain priviledges....

Oh and I got some very very good news concerning my music....our music should I say...hopefully more on that later....

Choices

2009-08-03T23:51:00.002+05:30

We are who we choose to be. Its not fate, not the unforseen who decides how we'll turn out, but our choices. And a choice has to be made.

But every choice entails consequences. Consequences you have to live with. And when you choose to give up something that you have started, seen blossom for two years, spent every ounce of your effort in shaping, you feel the pressure of those choices.

Glass Onion was the best thing that happened to me. Maybe 20 years down the line I will not make this statement. Maybe 20 years down the line it will be just a minor detail, something I did for two measely years of my life.

But I know....I know what i have given up today.

2009-07-26T22:01:00.003+05:30

It's been quite a week.

Firstly I've started working for the first time. Waking up in the morning, catching a shuttle to sector 5(SALT LAKE, do you believe it?) and reaching office by 930-10 is now a part of my daily schedule. Fears that I had about being able to adapt to the drastic change of lifestyle have been allayed to a great extent.

But yes, life has changed over the past one week and this is but a reflection of things to come. I am grateful, utterly, that I have not had to shift from kolkata to start work. God knows how I wouldve reacted to that. So I can rush out of office and scamper to VP as soon as possible to grab a cup of tea and a fag maybe.

I guess one of the most important factors why I have been able to adapt is the fact that i'm very comfortable at work. The people are nice, the work is good and best of all almost everybody in the office smokes. Very important that. Very very important.

Today was a Sunday. For about 5 years(well since leaving school at least) I had forgotten the worth of one of those. Work 6 days a week and it'll all come back to you, like it did to me.

So this sunday in question, i.e today the entire lot of us, the whole jing bang clan, went to ragini's for lunch. As doyeeta would put it, khub fun hoeche!!

Ragini lives in this, well we like to call it a resort. Its an apartment complex called Udita near Ajoynagar. It's got a club with all the amenities one would need, tt tables, a swimming pool, a restaurant, the works. It's got separate Visitor's Parking. It's got a large field of it's own where you can play football without having to haggle with V.P. public for space. It's basically the ideal world.

But I can never imagine myself living in a place like that. . From the moment you enter that place, you're like in a parallel world with a separate existence. Somewhere you'd go to get away from life. I wouldn't go as far as to call it make believe but it doesn't seem, somehow real. It doesn't seem like a place I'd call home. But then again that's just my point of view.

The worst part about that bloody sunday is it seems to end far too quickly.

2009-07-12T12:26:00.003+05:30

Cha, cha, cha d'amour

Take this song to my lover
Shoo, shoo, little bird
Go and find my love
Cha, cha, cha d'amour
Srenade at her window
Shoo, shoo, little bird
Sing my song of love

There's something about listening to a song after 15 years. As the music played, i was no longer sitting in front of my PC.

I was transported to that time in Sohinidi's room with that old Dean Martin tape playing music, the likes of which I'd never ever heard before.

It's been a while since then. :)

Summertime

2009-06-26T23:25:00.003+05:30

"Me and some guys from school
Had a band and we tried real hard
Jimmy quit and Jody got married
I should've known we'd never get far"

You've heard this song. Chances are you've dissed it as well sometime or the other. Abaar shei eki gaan?

Well yes. Because I do have a band. Yes I am trying real hard. And yes these probably are the best days of my life. The friends, the parties, the concerts, the people. All of it.

But they slowly draw to a close. People leave. Crater's, almost as big as the one that now adorns 9 Motilal Nehru Road appear in our lives. Soon none of it will be left. The residual wine will have to be consumed, the last party would have to end, the last tea and the last cigarette would have to be paid for, the last song would have to be performed, the last chord strummed. Then it would end. Like it was destined to. From the moment it had started.

Like all good things.

My summer draws to a close. Yours will too. One day.

Enjoy it while it lasts. There will never be a summer like this. Ever.

MENTAL PROMISE....

2009-06-23T22:16:00.000+05:30

I will not let my drunkeness get the better of me!!

I WILL NOT!!!

Time

2009-06-17T23:27:00.002+05:30

I was randomly browsing through blogs today when i came across a blog with excerpts from 'Time'...those immortal lines. I daresay none of you need to be reminded of the feeling you got the first time you heard Water's voice going

"No one told you when to run
You missed the starting gun..."

The point is, i realised after reading the lines, how bloody long it had been since i heard the song. I mean i still know the song inside out, every guitar bend, every vocal strain is embedded deep inside my bones. But i hadn't heard the song in such a long time!!! Floyd was in school. Since then i've moved on. In a very strange way. It's not like i grew tired of them or i didn't like them any more.It's just that there was so much of other stuff to hear that i just did not have time. To go back. To where my journey of rock and roll started. To when the sound of the electric guitar touched me somewhere so deeply that it changed my life forever.

To the beginning.

So whoever you are, i thank you sincerely for taking me back. And now my playlist is just Pink Floyd.

2009-05-30T00:10:00.002+05:30

football is the best game in the world. Period.it feels even better when Manchester United get their arse kicked all well and proper.

2009-05-14T08:26:00.002+05:30

I was sorely sorely tempted to write a post about you today. Sorely tempted. But I take higher ground. I do nothing of the sort. I will not sink to your level. I could have but I won't.

All said and done I did not expect this from you. And so I hate to say it but things will never be the same again. And honestly, I give a fuck.

Of Shoes and Ships and Sealing Wax

2009-04-20T00:09:00.002+05:30

It's been quite a long time since i've written a completely random post. A random post is a rather fashionable thing in blogosphere these days I've noted. So lets get right to it.

Firstly I have an Ethics exam tomorrow. Utter bullshit If you ask me. I mean not the ethics. The ethics is needed trust me. But not this. What we are studying is a communal, biased, and utterly meaningless. Anybody who bases his life's principle's on what we are learning will have serious troubles. I'll quote a passage from the text if you don't trust me...

"But if one looks at the western world they have houses, cars, good dress, large amount of money but where is the peace for them, where has the smile and laughter gone from their faces, where is their time to be good citizens"

Ring any bells?No? Well let me help you out..

"Mere paas gari hai, bangla hai, bank balance hai, tumhare paas kya hai?"

Seriously. What are they trying to prove?

Anyways moving on to other stuff, we hit the studios again. Recorded a bunch of material. 4 songs. Cost us a bunch of money.

There's something about listening to your own songs. Something. Yeah maybe the songs are not on the click. Maybe the mixing isn't all that well. Maybe it's not album quality material. But it's not that. It's just the song you're hearing is your won. From scratch. The drum roll here. The guitar line there. The break that wasn't there before. All that you had imagined the song to sound like. The song that took shape over days and weeks spent in the heat trying to imagine, come up with a line, a chord chart. Filling over portions that sound empty. Getting your dynamics right. And then you queue up the song on your mp3 player. And you listen to it. Like any lay listener listening to a song for the first time. And then it hits you. This is yours. Inspite of what critics might say, this is yours and yours alone. Not some band that you heard on Vh1 or Mtv. Or came across while dusting through your fathers old LP collection. Or chanced upon on Youtube. This is a song by your band. Makes me proud. Say what you will. It does.

Speaking of songs, the other day I was shuffling through the general channels when suddenly I came across a song from this movie called Delhi Heights. Rabbi Shergill.Tere Bin.

I have a very love hate realtionship with Rabbi Shergill's music. I remember the first time i heard him live. It was December 2004 at Science City. At a concert organised by ABP. The guy went on stage with just a cello player. And he sounded brilliant. Just the kind of music I enjoy. It was then that i fell in love with his music. A couple of months later I bought his first album.

There are these albums that I have, or used to have that remind me of these periods of my life. For example Def Leppards vault always somehow reminds me of Class VIII and IX. Waking up early in the morning and going to school. Listening to the album on my way. After coming back. Songs like Lets Get rocked and Makin Love like a Man or When Love and Hate Collide. Similarly Euphoria's Gully reminds me of the pre and post Madhyamik periods. Songs like Kya yeh Sach hai, Raja Rani and Ab na jaa still remind me of those ghatano sessions of tryong to memorize everything from Akbar's policy to Kamchatka Plateau to Bhorot and Dushmonto.

Rabbi Shergill reminds me of my Higher Secondary days. It brought those days back so vividly when i heard the song after about 3 long years. Chemistry, Physics, Maths. Running from one tuition to the next. Falling in love for the first time. Spending nights at shaat tola getting drunk. A lot of things have changed. But thankfully some have not.

I'll leave you with the links to our songs. Listen and do drop me a feedback. Cheerio.

glassoniontheband.com/haventuheard.rar

glassoniontheband.com/walkinhome.rar

glassoniontheband.com/beesong.rar

glassoniontheband.com/justplaygod.rar

Cause and effect

2009-03-23T01:40:00.002+05:30

Vibrations...waves propagating through the air by consequent compression and decompression of air layers....Just that.nothing else.

Yet sometimes these same vibrations can have so much power.Once created they cannot be destroyed.So create them carefully.Very carefully.Because these vibrations have a power unparralelled.They have the power of words.

A word.Coherence created out of meaningless sounds. A cause that leads to a tumultous effect. An effect can and will affect you, me and everyone else.

"they slither while they pass they slip away across

the universe....."

2009-03-11T11:07:00.002+05:30

...and when all the colours fade, all that you're left with is a shade of black. Black.Which absorbs everything.Black.Emptiness.Nothing.

I can't help but recall Holi two years ago.The colours were there then.They have faded now.Faded to black....

Size Does Matter

2008-12-07T20:53:00.002+05:30

"I want to be godzilla

I don't want to be his prey

I want to be godzilla

I don't want to be his prey

There was a man in a boat

Sailing peacefully

Before Godzilla came

And ate him up.

I want to be godzilla

I don't want to be his prey

I want to be godzilla

I don't want to be his prey

This is how the guitarist of my band started his songwriting career. No wonder he's the way he is.

My first ever tag..life e prochur lack ki na..

2008-11-23T23:06:00.004+05:30

first name: subhayu

single or taken: taken....for a ride generally

sex: male

birthday: 7th may

siblings:none

hair color: black(with white strands)

shoe size: don't know

height: 5 feet 10.5 inches

innie or outie:depends on your frame of reference dunnit

----------------------------------------relationships---------------

who are your closest friends? dude i am the PR god man!!

do you have a BF or GF? i don't like limiting myself to singularities...HAHAHA but yes i do have a 'GF' ...and add a 'K' to that if u wanna

best place to go for a date: anywhere cheap...preferably where they serve alchohol

--------------------------------favourites.------------------------------------------

favourite place to shop: i dont shop. my mom shops for me.

favourite kind of pants: hapus

favourite colour: umm..prolly blue

number(s): google(i think it is a number)

animal:no thank u.

drink: rum.and also of late sangria.

sport(s): book cricker

fast food place(s): aasma, maharani, tasty corner,grub club,chinis,hot kati roll

month:october

current movie:the dark knight

juice: no thank you.

finger: all of them.they create magic

breakfast: chicken soup.i also wanna try out the chinese breakfast

cartoon character(s): the thing, fred flinstone, garfield

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------have you ever:-----------------------------------------

given anyone a bath? myself

smoked? yes.

bungee-jumped? no

made yourself throw up? eughh...nooo..why would i??

gone skinny dipping? no

eaten a hot dog? no

put your tongue on a frozen pole? u don't get frozen pole's in kolkata

loved someone so much it made you cry? yes.

broken a bone? left hand pinky.

played truth-or-dare? one of my favourite games

been in a police car? no

been on a plane? yes.

been in a sauna? no

been in a hot tub? no.i don't like the concept of tubs

gone swimming in the ocean?if u call it swimming in puri then yes.

fallen asleep in school? i snored very loudly once.it was most embarrasing(for the teacher, not for me. obviously)

ran away? not that i can recall.

broken someone's heart? don't think so.

cried when someone died? not yet.

cried in school? prolly when i was very young

fallen off your chair? upturned my chair once.wasn't hurt thankfully.

sat by the phone all night waiting for someone to call? no.i like sleep.

saved e-mails? google dude....haven't yet deleted one.except spam that is.

fallen for one of your best friends? umm.dunno.

made out with JUST a friend? no.

used someone? i guess so.

been cheated on? hell yeah!!!that too physically!!

-------------------------------------What is...---------------------------

your good luck charm? my beatles wallet

the best song you ever heard? changes. currently its this limca ad jingle which rocks!

the stupidest thing you have ever done? put my finger up the wrong hole!!BEAT THAT PEOPLE!!!

what's your room like? it is also the dining room. i like it that way. i get to have all the food with me.

the last thing you said?good night to ma.

what is beside you? a full to the brim ashtray

the last thing you ate? ate? fairly crappy food at a biyebari. kewpies sucks

what kind of shampoo do you use?hehe...right now i'm using brut shower gel.....

the best thing that has happened to you this year? gig at SPE and meeting anurima..not to mention getting a placement at CTS.

worst thing that has happened to you this year?not being able to make it to a trip where all my friends went....and also shonai going away..

----------------------------------------have you had..----------------------------------------chicken pox? no

sore throat? all the time!!

stitches? no

broken nose? no

-------------------------------------do you-------------------------------------

believe in love at first sight? yeah..but she was too expensive for me...fender precision..

like picnics? yes.quite a lot.

like school? HELL YEAH!!

--------------------------------------would you/what is---------------------------------------eat a live hamster for $1,000,000 ? will they deduct taxes??

if you were stuck on an island, what people would you want with you?the entire cha er dokan crowd and anu.

who was the last person that called you? she has called me right now!!

who was the last person you slow-danced with? RINKIIIII!!!!!!

what makes you laugh the most? my own exploits!!!

what makes you smile? a good blues solo....

-------------who is the last person--------------------------------------

you yelled at? i don't yell...it spoils my vocal chords..i need to conserve my voice.

who broke your heart? i guess the entire world knows that.

who told you they loved you? lots of people.i am a lovable person.

--------------------------------------do you/are you:-------------------------------------------

do you like filling these out? i have a huge lack in life..hence i dont mind

do you wear glasses or contacts? glasses.

do you like yourself? there can be none better than me.

do you get along with your family? i get along with everybody.

stolen anything over $50? $50??I WISH.

obsessive? about myself.

compulsive? in certain cases.mostly regarding alchohol.

anorexic? HELL NO

suicidal? KIDDING ME??

schizophrenic? the questions are getting stupider by the moment.

-----------------------------love life------------------------

do you have a crush? ANNA!!!from russia and poland.

if so, does he or she know?nope

have you truly told him or her how you feel, face to face?dhur bara..or bhashai bolte paari na.

how did he or she respond? if i ever overcome the language barrier then i shall.

what is so great about him or her? bangla bhashai dobka.

-------------------------------------this or that-------------------------------------------------coffee or tea: both.

phone or in person:in person.

are you oldest, middle, youngest or only child:i thought this question was asked earlier/

indoor or outdoor: jekhane mod khaoa hochhe.

who is your loudest friend? a metal vocalist i know..it dont get louder than them.

--------------------------------------------------final questions------------------------------

how many people are you sending this to: i can't be bothered

what are you listening to right now? anu's voice....

what did you do yesterday? went to Babis' party and chilled out in my first global party!

where do you want to get married? anywhere but parish hall...

if you could change anything about yourself, what would it be? i would love to have a beautiful voice....darn u god!!!!

are you a good driver? depends..on the F1 track..yes....otherwise no.

are you a good singer? check out the answer before the previous one.

what do you dream about? winning a grammy for best new artist and being presented the award by salma hayek

Anger Management

2008-11-19T22:53:00.002+05:30

i said the words
i meant them not
i meant to call
but i forgot

all these heinous crimes i do commit
and you get angry.

sometimes i think of that
sometimes i think of this
sometimes i think of you and i
under the starry bliss.

all these thoughts are but semi legit
and you get angry.

sometimes it just falls apart
all over again we gotta start
i accept i am a cheesy poet at heart
but u won't find better on postcards at walmart.

i hope you fall for this
and not stay angry.

Two songs I really dig right now...

2008-10-02T22:39:00.007+05:30

WHY DO YOU BUILD ME UP-THE FOUNDATIONS

Why do you build me up (Build me up)
Buttercup baby just to
let me down (Let me down)
And mess me around
And then worst of all (Worst of all)
You never call baby
When you say you will (Say you will)
But I love you still
I need you (I need you)
More than anyone darlin'
You know that I have from the start

So build me up (Build me up)
Buttercup
Don't break my heart
I'll be over at ten
You tell me time and again
But you're late
I wait around and then
I went to the door
I can't take any more
It's not you
You let me down again

Baby Baby
Try to find a little time
And I'll make you happy
I'll be home
I'll be waiting beside the phone
Waiting for you.

Why do you build me up....
To you I'm a toy
But I could be the boy
You adore
If you'd just let me know
Although you're untrue
I'm attracted to you
All the more
Why do I need you so Baby Baby.....

ooh ooh ooh
Why do build me up .....

"Build Me Up Buttercup" is the name of a song written by Mike d'Abo and Tony Macaulay, and released by The Foundations with Colin Young singing the lead vocals in 1968. It reached number 2 on the UK charts and number 3 in the US on the Billboard Hot 100.

EAGLE EYE CHERRY-SAVE TONIGHT

Go on and close the curtains
cause all we need is candle light
You and me and a bottle of wine
going to hold you tonight
Well we know I'm going away
and how I wish, I wish it weren't so
So take this wine and drink with me
let's delay our misery

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

There's a log on the fire
and it burns like me for you
Tomorrow comes with one desire
to take me away it's true
It ain't easy to say goodbye
darling please don't start to cry
Cause girl you know I've got to go, oh
Lord I wish it wasn't so

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

Tomorrow comes to take me away
I wish that I, that I could stay
Girl you know I've got to go, oh
Lord I wish it wasn't so

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone

Save tonight
Save tonight
Save tonight
Save tonight

Save Tonight was written by Eagle-Eye Cherry for his 1997 debut album Desireless. The song is the album's opening track, and was released as its first single, reaching #6 in the UK and #5 in the USA.

2008-09-21T21:59:00.002+05:30

What do you mean by safe sex? Is the safety of a sexual act guaranteed by protecting only the sexual organs?Does using a condom or for that matter a contraceptive guarantee safe sex?

What exactly is safe sex? Does not impregnatin your girlfriend, or getting impregnated by your boyfriend mean you've practiced safe sex? Does the non transfer of any STD's guarantee safe sex?

Poor guy, he's bleeding from his eyes. J, you changed my concepts on the practice of safe sex. Cheers to you. Just go a little easy on them nails when you're making out. I mean he's a nice guy and you don't want a one eyed boyfriend now do you huh??

....taake uthe geche

2008-09-06T01:30:00.002+05:30

Before u make any judgements on the title hear me out guys!!
friday the 5th of november i was on air on meao 104.8 fm with the GO guys doing our stuff. because we hadn't been able to catch any dinner, after the show me and biloo decided to get dropped off at azad hind on PD Road for some much needed food. This was around 12 30 at night.

They haunt the bus stand on southern avenue every night from 11 onwards. Their clothes are suggestive, make up even more so. They have a purpose, which is unknown. Their ways are mysterious, as is their gender. They are, to put it mildly, SCARY.....

so me and biloo walk from azad hind to biloo's place where he very conviniently gets back home and i again have to walk that well known stretch from ananda to my place. Except this time its 1 am and i am alone. Freaky....

so i'm walking shit scared when suddenly a bike passes me and stops at near fulla stores where the Samaj Sebi Sangha pujo is held. On it is a guy and a pillion rider, who just happens to be one of them. The bike is stationary and the riders are watching me very carefully, examining my every move, as i walk on towards them.

Bichi taake....
i am powerless if they try anything....

well right now i am back home safely and with no harm done. But of all the innumerable walks i've taken, this shall remain the most memorable....for mostly all the wrong reasons...

word of caution:DO NOT EVER TRY THIS.....

2008-08-14T23:37:00.002+05:30

You never can tell can you??One split of a second can split into fragments what you thought to be unbreakable, immovable.

I have seen so many dreams shattered, broken. Learnt to expect the worst. Yet, not even I could have forseen this.

So long and thanks for all the fish. Thanks a lot.

Hey guys,

2008-08-11T23:50:00.004+05:30

Things have changed since you left. It's a lot colder these days. The chill never subsides. Even the tea doesnt help. Neither does the kingsize.

The evenings are the worst.The evenings are spent alone. In a large empty flat. With beer bottles and whiskey and soda. But I miss the rum. But the rum's lost it's taste these days. Whiskey suits me better. There's a kind of a solitary strain about whiskey. Very singular.

Last week i was at Oly. You'll be happy to know that the rat seems to have disappeared. The chacha has grown considerably older and even slower (as if that were ever possible!!). These days I don't have to think twice before ordering the second round. The wad of cash in my wallet has ensured that i never have to nick drinks of people. I miss that. I also miss counting each and every penny to pay the bill. And haggling over the sales tax. I still look over my shoulder, as if waiting for people to turn up. Walk, first down, then up those three steps. Oh i remember what a huge obstacle they used to seem at that time.

The maath has not changed considerably. Champadi still remains, but is in tatters. I went there once. Mashi couldnt recognise me. I considered going up and talking to her, but then I decided against it. Kinda strange that she's probably the only person who was around then and is still around now. The tea is now much more expensive and worse than ever. I took a stroll down the maath too. The roller remains, and so do the cows. Couples still dot the dark regions. The setting is still almost the same. Almost.

The sad part is that the morer chaer dokan is not there anymore. The stone slab remains but the tea supplier doesnt.

I sometimes wonder how the Kolkata skyline would look from saat-tola these days. It's nice to imagine staring at those newly built highrises bleary eyed in the midle of the night from there after a few drinks. I heard it's uninhabited these days. what a waste of a flat. I' really give anything for a drink over there. But i guess it just wouldn't be the same.

The sadest part about being the only one remaining in Kolkata are the places. The theks. Maharani. Golpark. Opposite Ahona's house. Fulla. Morer Chaer dokan. Champadi, The Park Street Metro station, Jadavpur Coffee House. Etc, Etc. The memories are so many in number and the emotions are so deep that sometimes it gets too much.

Feels good not to have to worry about where money for the next drink will come from. Or how I'll get back home from Princeton. Or about so many other things.

Sometimes it doesn't.

Sometimes I feel like dialing the all so familiar numbers that i still recall. And casually asking you guys to come down. For a tea. And a fag. And maybe a beer. Sit around talking about so many important things. Maybe even pick up a guitar and play a few songs. The all so familiar bhitoro bahire and creep and zombie.

I feel so unfamiliar in so familiar a setting. I long for my comfort zone.

I miss you guys.

2008-07-21T21:54:00.002+05:30

midnight hot
i should have shot
him when i had the time.

Gone in a flash
Too much hash
and a little less rhyme.

Life by the drop
The last photo to crop
and tobacco with thyme.

He could kill,
And not stand still
in his prime.

Modern poetry.Well my attempts at it. Please excuse.

2008-06-22T23:07:00.002+05:30

Moments captured
Eternities lost.
Words echoed,
Remain.

Sometime ago I wrote a song
Things have changed.

A poet once asked a bright angel to speak
She said "I'd whisper longingly for you".

Dawn will break soon,
Again.

Like it does everytime you smile
Anew.

The ghost of tomorrow speaks softly,
It just says, "Ditto."

2008-06-06T23:32:00.004+05:30

"This may seem like a devilish ploy but its one way to bring the proceedings to an end."

......and so it is.The eventuality. The guitar lies, strings gutted, neck aching, wood creaking. It begs to be played, for melodies to emanate from its body, melodies celebrating life and its glories, not beckoning death and destruction. The keys of the piano, dusty and untouched wilt away, no deft touches caress it......no harmonies emanate from its inner depths. Sounds of silence hang solemnly around. The wise men of old stare bleary eyed at it from their withered portraits on the wall.

There once was a time; what a time it was. A time when these very rooms were full of sounds. Sounds to which even the walls used to dance. The boom of the bass locked tighly with the beating of the drums. The saxophone flowing around weaving tales of love, of happenings long forgotten but etched deeply in some corner of the memory. Music. Music celebrating life. Music celebrating love.

Those days are gone. The music has gone. The life has gone. The love has gone. Just the noise remains. And death. Death of everything we used to take pride in.

Now there is no pride. Just you and me. Stuck amidst all the noise. Trying to make sense of it.

"Something touched me deep inside.....
The day,
The music......died."

A Few people i really really HATE right now...

2008-06-02T21:59:00.006+05:30

1. Mr. Fourier

2. Mr Laplace

3. Mr. Butterworth

4. Mr. Parseval

5. Mr Chebyshev (not as much though..)

6. Did I mention Mr. Fourier??

7. Mr Gauss(the bastard.......he's everywhere)

8. Messers Cooley & Turkey

And I have a feeling after tomorrow the W.BUT paper setters will top this list....

2008-05-22T14:21:00.002+05:30

I will never ever ever ever ever again take up managerial responsibilities on behalf of my band.

NEVER.

and as far as u, Mr Federico Fellini are concerned, may you rest in peace......

MADBOY CONFESSES

2008-05-06T00:31:00.003+05:30

John Lennon and Paul Mcartney once said

"I'm in love with her
And I feel fine."

Fine would be an understatement. I feel Superfantastic.

Thank You. For coming into my life just when I needed you.For bringing back the sunshine that had faded.For making me realise how blue the sky and how green the grass really is.

"You complete me."

Ten Lines for You

2008-04-27T13:24:00.003+05:30

A cloudless sky with a million stars
Night embaces the two lost souls.
Unspeakable sacred truths and promises
Revealed and foretold.

In the blink of an eye lifetimes pass,
Melting through this warp of time
Again and again,
Seemingly unspoken, unheard.

Endless nameless we sit as the night cries out to us,
Never ever to change.

MAD SEASON-MATCHBOX TWENTY

2008-04-14T23:58:00.002+05:30

"

I feel stupid - but I know it wont last for long
Ive been guessing - I coulda been guessin wrong
You dont know me now
I kinda thought that you should somehow
Does that whole mad season got ya down

I feel stupid but its something that comes and goes
Ive been changin - think its funny how now one knows
We dont talk about - the little things that we do without
When that whole mad season comes around

So why ya gotta stand there
Looking like the answer now
It seems to me - youd come around
I need you now
Do you think you can cope
You figured me out - Im lost and Im hopeless
Bleeding and broken - though Ive never spoken
I come undone - in this mad season

I feel stupid - but I think I been catchin on
I feel ugly - but I know I still turn you on
You seem colder now, torn apart, angry, turned around
Will that whole mad season knock you down

So are you gonna stand there
Are you gonna help me out
You need to be together now - I need you now
Do you think you can cope
You figured me out - Im lost and Im hopeless
Bleeding and broken - though Ive never spoken
I come undone - in this mad season

Now Im cryin - isnt that what you want
Im tryin to live my life on my own
But I wont
At times - I do believe I am strong
So someone tell me why, why, why
Do i, i, I feel stupid
And I came undone
And I came undone

I need you now
Do you think you can cope
You figured me out - Im lost and Im hopeless
Bleeding and broken - though Ive never spoken

I need you now
Do you think you can cope
You figured me out - Im a child and Im hopeless
Bleeding and broken - though Ive never spoken
I come undone - in this mad season

In this mad season
Theres been a mad season
Been a mad season

"

Don't you just get that feeling sometimes?

Goodbye Again

2008-04-07T21:50:00.005+05:30

He looks so peaceful. With a hint of a smile dangling on his lips. Just like in a deep, deep slumber.

He teaches me. Lessons that can be best described as invaluable. Words of wisdom in the truest sense.

He loves to talk. I just sit there and listen. Anecdotes from his work, his passions, his life. Tied to each story comes a moral, a wealth of experience. He shares them with me.

He loves me. The kind of love that is unheard of these days. The kind of love where I can do no wrong. He never complaints even if I don't turn up at his doorstep for days, even months. And when I do he greets me with the smile, his unforgettable smile. No reservations, no arguments. Just plain love.

He says he'll feel the proudest the day he sees me all dressed up in formals getting ready for my first day at work. I'm sure he will.

I don't know when my dadu went from being my dadu to being the patient to finally being just a body.

It just feels oddly assuring to speak of him in the present tense.

2008-04-05T22:43:00.003+05:30

He likes conversations with her. Conversations. One line or two. Maybe even more. Randomness personified. Poems, prayers and promises. Things that he beleives in. Things that he wants her to believe. Vice versa.

He falls asleep every night with his eyes closed thinking about what might have happened with his life. He reflects on what is more important. What he ought to reflect on. He does not give her even a passing thought.

He has a little window in his room. It overlooks no beautiful sight. The faded concrete reflects the life that drifts by everyday. The life that he has. He dreams of greener pastures. maybe even a blue sky dotted by the sun. Too much sunlight is bad. Too much love.....

She does not dream. Or so he believes. Optimism crept in him once. Now it's gone. But the smile remains. The smile helps. Sometimes.

She means nothing to him. Nothing at all.

But he still hopes.......

Of onions and other things

2008-03-30T00:06:00.003+05:30

Glass Onion has come a full cirlce. Since winning JU engg. Sanskriti (March 2007) till (yeah beleive it or not!!) opening for fossils at Flamez 2008 at Nazrul Manch we've had our share of times. We've played random covers that people have almost never heard, popularised The White Stripes to the extent that random bass players check their bass volume at band competitions by playing the signature 7 Nations Army line. We've sweated in out in our congested practice pad with no fans or ventilation during the summer months. Overcome so many obstacles and people trying put a stop to our 'brand of music'.

We've fucked around at science city during the Scholastic Beats finals, lost miserably, only to find the runners up there playing at a competition we were judging a couple of days back. We've played to random strangers at Trincas and ended up drawing compliments from them the day before my computer architecture examination. We've had to do shows with little or no practice at all and come out of it unscathed.

Along the way there have been the bad times. Times when there have been misunderstandings and faults on our part. But the important part is that we meant no one any harm.

We have also worked on a number of originals of various styles and which have gotten more and more matured as time has progressed. We have learnt so much, separately and as a band. We have created a niche, small as it may be, for us in Kolkata.

We have fallen in love with our music many times over. We still do it.

To the guys i'd like to say that for everything that we have been through and everything we will go through, I am proud to be a part of this and will forever be.

Music of the Gods

2008-03-21T10:38:00.004+05:30

Rolling Stones Magazine India hails him as the irrefutable guitar god of India.

If you ever see him perform you'll know that he is......

Nothing beats thursday nights with rum and pink noise now does it??

Spiderman!!(WTF??!!!)

2008-03-13T22:40:00.002+05:30

Me meeting Bilu the other day at Barista....Lazy sunday mornings...bored to fuckin' death!!!Bilu saying he has chordchart. Me writing lyrics on spot. Bilu providing inspriration where me getting stuck....

Yeah. Freaking love song!!!Just to prove that even G.O can actually do a lovey dovey original!!!!

Oh and as far as the spiderman is concerned, you may ask why, and in return i will ask, why not???

There's so much that i outta know,
There's so much that i outta say,
But everytime I think of you i think about the
Times we had......
And I worry 'bout you.

I believe in so many things,
I beleive in every song I sing,
But everytime I try to believe,
Something seems to drag me down....
And I think about you

Chorus

Get together,
Take my hand,
Let me be your spiderman
No No I'm drowning...

BRIDGE
There's so many things I shouldve told ya,
So many times I outta hold ya
But then nothing makes no sense....

CHORUS

Me likes.....

Of Things That Matter(or at least used to...)

2008-03-09T23:40:00.004+05:30

It's been a long time since i blogged properly. Guess I had run of things to say. Common wisdom says that despair inspires art, the forlorn heart is one which can churn out the best of the creative juices in an individual. Well at least it got me blogging.

My life has changed. I'd like to think I've matured but then life has a cruel way of explaining things dunnit??Maturity comes, but at what cost?? Do you mature when what you desire the most is snatched away from you??Or when everything you knew to be real turns out to be only your imagination. Parallel realities if you will.Goodbye's are the hardest part. The straight face, the clenched fists, the great fight between ego and emotions where ego invariably wins the battle, only to ingloriously lose the war.

Maturity. Strong word that. Comes, but at the cost of happiness, at the cost of peace of mind. As my friend is fond of saying,

"With every goodbye you learn."

I have so much to say, there's so much that I want to express. No let me cut that short. There's so much that I want. We all do don't we??

"Eto chaoa niye kotha jai?"

I guess at the end of the day the mintrox guys understood best what all of it is about......as they say.....

"Life......eej hard"

The sad part is, I still love you, very much as a matter of fact. But in todays world, that is what matters least, isn't it??

For my guide.....

2008-03-03T23:40:00.002+05:30

"Wahaan kaun hai tera,
Musafir, jayeega kahaan?"

For what it's worth, i apologise.

Walk On

2008-01-26T23:34:00.000+05:30

Walk on, walk on down that road again,
The sky's still blue everything still looks the same my friend
I always knew that i'd find my way back home in the end.

I try to run, i try to run and hide,
From the memories of you, from the memories deep inside,
I still don't know why i cry myself to sleep at night.

But all I ask for is just a little peace of mind,
Even if I never have you by my side,
All I ask for is just a little peace of mind.

May you smile, smile and light up someone's life,
May your tears be wiped by one much more worthy than I.
May you never ever have to be on the other side of the line.

I'll keep walking, walking this desolate path
I'll tell my self that i shall make one more new start.
But this lie is the truth that will forever strike my beating heart.

And yet....

All I ask for is just a little peace of mind,
Even if I never have you by my side,
All I ask for is just a little peace of mind.

For P.

Never Gonna Stop??Give it Up!!!

2008-01-15T22:45:00.000+05:30

.....and we should've actually. Except we didn't. Good that. Cause it feels rather nice when you can boast of the fact that your band covers The Knacks. My Sharona at that.

Gham jhorano. I now know what the term means.A 4min 56 sec song. 4 mins 56 seconds worth of breaks, changes and weird grooves. Rolls on the drums complimenting solos. Breaks of 3 and a half beats. Dynamics parelleling jazz. Rather difficult.

But yes we did pick it up. And it sounds rather good. Which makes me happy. Very.

My attempts at songwriting for Glass Onion

2008-01-12T23:51:00.000+05:30

I'd like to call this "I said i love you but I lied", but Pu thinks "Love and Chocolate Cake" is more apt. You decide. the lyrics go something like this....

Bye bye baby I think I'm gonna leave town
I'll be gone and I ain't never coming down
I'll be gone so fast you wont know I'm
Not around

(Love and chocolate cake smell really good
But you ain't gonna find either in my neighbourhood) * 2

I remember you said you'd love me till the end of time
But I never said anythin on those lines
I've had enough of you baby and I got someone else on
My mind.

(Love and chocolate cake smell really good
But you ain't gonna find either in my neighbourhood) * 2

I said I loved you but I lied
You know I lied,
I lied to you,
I did to,
Yes it was all a lie
I said I loved you but I lied.

Repeat and fade...

It's a rock and roll tune with bits of funk involved. The lyrics are rather fun and I hope this turns out to be a nice song. have to show it to the band though. God knows what it'll sound like once our guitar players have literally shreded through it.

Cheerio.....

2008-01-11T00:44:00.000+05:30

"

Jonohin jatiyo shorok
Shorpil jeno python
Rastar dhar gheshe nirjon
Pyner bon.

Kom beshi odhel shobuj
Shari shari chaer bagan
Bon theke bheshe ashe
Pahariya pushper ghran.

CHORUS

Ghuronto jeeper chakai
Highway jeno gaan gai
Aar oi dure dekha jai
Army truck er convoy.

Pahariya jhornar jol
Jhaap diye pore Tistai
Pathorer buk chire choleche
Digonto shemai.

CHORUS

E amaar priyo himalaya
Ami shunechi tomar ahoban
Tomar nirobotai kori
Ojanar shondhan.

E amaar rupashi pahar
Tumi rohoshye chiro shundor
Aadim akorshone korecho
Amai jajabor.

CHORUS.

"

Written by Mr Ranjan Prasad of Mohiner Ghoraguli. Formerly unreleased.

THEY JUST DON'T MAKE 'EM LIKE THESE TODAY DO THEY??

Soothing Black

2007-12-03T23:51:00.000+05:30

Let us not talk of times that were,

For they aren't any longer.

Like tides of the great big ocean,they are swept away...

Swept away to be replaced by you,

The you that is being swept away now, as we speak.

Tomorrow we shall not boast of today

But in hushed whispers

We shall endeavour to satisfy oursleves

It was but for the best.

And when they grow old

As we are told,

Our time will come.

Yes my friend our time will indeed come

But fool you would be if you thought it were so

That time were here to stay

For even our time my friend

The tide shall sweep away.........

Walkin' down that road again

2007-11-21T23:08:00.000+05:30

So i did go. For a walk that is. From Gariahat to Dhakuria. Nothing new. I do it all the time.

But this was different. This was for a 'cause' that is. For BlankNOISE.

For the uninitated BlankNOISE is a project started by Jasmeen Patheja to address the issue of street sexual harassment that is rampant in India, majorly.

They say that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. I'm sure they're right.

The beholder. Yes. All boils down to him dunnit?

He stares. He gropes. Passes unwanted comments. Maybe even a whistle or two here. The rowdier, the sexier.

He encroaches upon personal space. He letches at exposed skin.

Why??

Well why not?, he'd ask.

Because it's indecent you'd answer. Because the victims feel uncomfortable, they feel like they're being treated as a sexual object.

Well don't they bring it on themselves by wearing the kinds of clothes they wear? By their whole getup??

Do they now??

My friend Jolene Newton, who resides in the US of A says that when guys look at her as she passes by, or even gropes her, she feels, well, rather impressed. Because all of her dressing and make-up would've gone to waste had she not attracted a few stares innit??

Why do Indian women feel different?? And if they do why do they flinch everytime they're stared at, when they wear them clothes none the same??

Mind you i'm not hinting at any sort of sarcasm when i ask this question. It is just that i am slightly perplexed.

There are two separate issues that arise.

One of the freedom of choice, to look and feel the way an individual wants to. And the other of imitation of the western culture.

Why do we wear denims?? Or shirts?? Or for that matter miniskirts??Because it's comfortable?? Because our next door neighbour wears them?? Because they're the latest fashion trend? Because u saw ur latest Bollywood or Hollywood actor wearing them??

But what if we don't really have the mindset to wear these clothes. What if these clothes are meant to be worn solely for the purpose of drawing stares? Or more.....

On the flipside it can be argued that an individual can wear what he or she chooses without being subject to any sort of judgement, without being made to feel concous of herself or himself at every instant.

That, i'm sorry to say, seldom happens.

There's just one thing that makes all of this worse.

Denial.

2007-11-11T23:14:00.000+05:30

Somewhere in a desolate village which bears the marks of recent conflict......

"Ma.......baba keno phirche na???"

Closer to Home....

"Hey have u heard? They killed another bunch of people"
"Umm they did??Sad, man. Someone needs to do something about it. So what's happenin'??"
"Dunno man....stuff might remain closed tomorrow, even day after.Lotsa people protesting and shit. The usual."
"Huh. Again?(Sigh).Don't they ever learn?Anyways might as well go have dinner, what say?"

Come to think of it, life through the 21 inch is rather easy.........

2007-08-31T23:52:00.001+05:30

FUCK ALL THAT.................WE'VE GOTTA GET ON WITH THESE......

2007-08-27T23:16:00.000+05:30

I ask for forgiveness. For asking too much from you. For wanting what i had no right to want. For expecting what i had no right to expect....

I had dared to hope. Daring was not right. I realise now. Peace, stability,............for me, all but mere words.......like the distant horizon.....so close and yet so far.....

I am left with memories, happy, yet piercing like the edge of the sharpest knife. I'll laugh and cry, live and die at the same time.......

I beg for forgiveness.......

2007-08-13T09:51:00.000+05:30

"Is something wrong, she said
Well of course there is
Youre still alive, she said
Oh, and do I deserve to be
Is that the question
And if so...if so...who answers...who answers..."

Indeed who does answer..........who does justify your existence?? Me?? I hardly feel so.....

The clock strikes twelve......the last survivor, alone yet painfully aware.......

Soon my time will come......yet again..

But I'm still alive........

2007-05-07T21:05:00.000+05:30

I came across a lady today. It was at a store. She was there to purchase deoderants for herself and an aftershave for her boyfriend, or husband. She was exercising her rights as a customer and choosing through the various brands available to her, smelling each one closely, rejecting a few before finally deciding on her choice.

She hoped that the miracle of science would help her and her loved one exhude attractive aromas, would fight 'body odour' as they say.

I too was banking upon the miracle of science. Standing right beside her I was purchasing medicines that I hoped would save my grandmother's life, that would be able to mend a ruptured intestine of a person who loves me unconditionally.

It's funny how life teaches you the strangest of things at the strangest of moments.

I sincerely hope the lady and her loved ones keep smelling fresh.

I sincerely hope my grandmother sees me grow 22 exactly one year from today.

Maybe i'll shed a tear tonight...........

All Hail Mr Murphy

2007-05-01T14:11:00.000+05:30

Murphy's Original Law

If there are two or more ways to do something, and one of those ways can result in a catastrophe, then someone will do it.

Murphy's Law

If anything can go wrong -- it will.

Murphy's First Corollary

Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse.

Murphy's Second Corollary

It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.

Quantized Revision of Murphy's Law

Everything goes wrong all at once.

Murphy's Constant

Matter will be damaged in direct proportion to its value.

The Murphy Philosophy

Smile... tomorrow will be worse.

Got a shot of rhythm and blues...bangla style....

2007-04-19T08:36:00.000+05:30

GAAN BHALOBESHE GA...

Down Memory Lane

2007-04-11T21:35:00.000+05:30

It's funny when you get that feeling. Deja vu, if you will. But not exactly. So many emotions, so many feelings..

I remember struggling to play my first chord, bending my fingers to the exact shape that was needed. I remember the joy of that sound, my first chord. I remember the ecstatic joy at being able to change chords, the sound reverberating through the room. Creation. Life.

I remember picking up my first song. Two Steps Behind.

I remember practicing the chord changes over and over again, remember trying to perfect the rhythm, remember singing along.I remember those hapless hours spent with no improvement, remember the feeling of disgust towards myself. And then the feeling of fulfillment.

I remember Teachers day 2003. Remember playing guitar for the first time on stage. People looking at me, admiring me for my talents, however limited they may be. I remember the endless practices that went behind it, remember the nights i spent trying to
pick up the songs. I remember the applause we got. I remember the applause i gave to myself.

I remember so many moments, alone with just the six strings. Emotions flowing; some melancholy, some sweet, all beautiful.

I recall princeton club on 15th march 2007. Glass Onion. A dream fulfilled. Not yet. So much yet to learn, so much yet to feel. So much more i shall remember in the years to come.

We all have our long and winding roads to travel. I intend to travel mine with my guitar.

For better or for worse.

This old guitar gave me my life my living
All the things you know I love to do
To serenade the stars that shine
From a sunny mountainside
Most of all to sing my songs for you
I love to sing my songs for you

DREAMS

2007-03-10T23:32:00.000+05:30

31st March 2006
Orpheus performs at ju finals.........they suck........people are of the opinion that such music should not be allowed...

10th March 2007
Glass Onion, comprising of 4 members from orpheus performs again at ju finals. They beat the crap out of all bands and secure first place....

It feels so good when old ghosts are laid to rest...

Uncertain....

2007-02-28T12:26:00.000+05:30

My good friend (the one who smiles to himself a lot ) inspired me to write this post.

Sir Isaac Newton,came up with what was knows as Newtonian physics. One of the basic assumptions of Newtonian physics and mechanics was that an observer could carry out an experiment without actually influencing the outcome of the experiment himself. Newtonian physics, by and large could be stated as macro physics. This however led to a number of anomalies.

Along came Sir Albert Einstein, with his interpretation of physics, commonly reffered to as quantum physics. One of the main dificulties in the study of quantum mechanics was dealt by a certain Mr Heisenberg in his Uncertainty Principle. A lot of us know about Heisenberg's basic principles about the uncertainty in velocity, momentum etc.

However the actual basis of the uncertainty principle is actually quite different. Since the time of Galileo scientists were of the opinion that they were objective observers of the natural world. Impersonality was the hallmark of science. It was taken for granted that an observer could carry out an experiment completely objectively without at all influencing the outcome.

With the advent of Quantum physics, this point of view began to change. Scientists slowly started to realise the fact that perception is inexorably linked to the outcome of the experiment. What you study, you also change. If you try to study a particles velocity, you affect the environment in such a way that it's position is affected and vice versa. When you're dealing with such micro sized partcles, it becomes impossible to study the particle and not affect it. Impersonality was no longer an option. Our universe is a participatory universe and objectivity is something it just does not allow.

This was the basic groundwork for Heisenberg's principle. It's not that an electron does not have a fixed velocity and position. It most definitely does.But the moment you try to measure that velocity and position at the same time, you end up affecting at least one of them, so it becomes impossible for you to do so.

Following this chain of thought a number of basic ideas emerge. Our world is dynamic, it is changing and evolving fast. Whether we accept it or not change is indeed a part of the plan. And you are a cause and an effect of that change. Knowingly of (more probably) unknowingly you are affecting your environment and your environment is affecting you. You are at the centre of a dynamic revolution. You always have been. And it's not just you. We all are. Every single human being on planet earth. Scary thought huh??

A few pointers on spending Valentine's Day (if you're a hopeless romantic)

2007-02-14T22:49:00.000+05:30

1. Do not pretend to be ignorant about today. Newspapers and television have removed that possibility.

2. Do not beleive in the fact that miraculously a girl will come up to you and tell you she loves you. Dude if you don't get it the remaining 364 days, you won't get it on this day.

3. Make elaborate plans from before. Completely remove the possibility of getting bored.

4. Avoid parks, cafe's and retaurants where you're likely to come across hoards and hoards of couples. (God knows kolkata has enough guys and girls to provide an unending stream of couples!!!)

5. Meet up with single friends and discuss the advantages of being single. Pretentiousness helps.

6. Avoid listening to the radio and watching television. You don't need to be reminded how much Abhishek Bachhan loves Aishwarya Rai, especially on this day.

7. Do stuff that makes you feel important.

8. If you have any payments pending, collect them without fail. Money helps as well.

9. Listen to Pink Floyd. Thankfully they never wrote a love song in their entire career.

10.If you followed step 8 then getting drunk is definitely a considerable option. But not too much. And choose the location wisely so that you don't come across more couples.

Following these guidelines help. And if you have single friends who treat you to sexy ice cream with cakes and wafers and fresh cream and chocolate sauce then the day would definitely not have been wasted.

Something in the way....

2007-02-13T22:48:00.000+05:30

Just a few lines
On a piece of paper,
And a tune to go along...

That's about all
I can offer,
Probably, you'll call it a song.

Touch your heart?
Maybe it will.
Something that you'd want to hum,
Sitting lonely and still.

Maybe it'll talk of days,
When we were young and free.
Maybe it'll make you stop,
If only to feel the breeze.

All I ask of you my friend,
Is to lend me your ears.
Let me sing to you a song my friend
On a night so crystal clear.

2007-01-30T22:55:00.000+05:30

Someday, somewhere, my friend of misery, we shall overcome.

We shall overcome the seemingly meaningless words that are spoken to us by the inherent devil inside, overcome the crooked timber of humanity that bends even the most righteous of souls, overcome that feeling of numbness creeping in our minds as we sip the last peg of whisky.

In doing so we shall realise. What we shall realise I cannot fortell. But at that moment of sudden epiphany, my friend, only the love that unites us will exist. All else will fade. Fade into the oblivion from whence it had originally come.

Now, we can only wander, wander like aimless souls in an inky black universe of mindless echoes. You, me and everything else. A cliche.

2007-01-11T09:31:00.000+05:30

"....and yet i still act sometimes like I was only about twelve. Everybody says that, especially my father. It's partly true too, but it isn't all true. People always think something is all true. I don't give a damn, except i get bored sometimes when people tell me to act my age. Sometimes I act a lot older than I am-I really do-but people never notice it. People never notice anything."

Isn't it funny that so much that we have to experience growing up lies hidden in some deep inaccesible corner of our mind, because somehow if expressed they might lead to some sort of inacceptance?

Isn't it funny how some people can express these things so easily?

Isn't it funny then, that when we do come across somethin of this sort, some bubble inside of us bursts, a voice inside of us involuntarily cries out, "yes, I understand..."?

Life is quite funny, would you agree???

2006-12-27T21:56:00.000+05:30

"Put your troubles off away till tomorrow.........

If you're lucky, someone will break into your house tonight and steal them."

Brilliant.

2006-12-23T10:11:00.000+05:30

"Have you found Jesus yet, Gump?"

"I didn't know I was supposed to be lookin' for him."

Faith.

2006-12-20T22:51:00.000+05:30

No bullet can stop us now, we neither beg nor will we bow;
Neither can be bought nor sold.
We all defend the right; Jah - Jah children must unite:
Your life is worth much more than gold.

We're jammin' ,jammin', jammin', jammin'...
And we're jammin' in the name of the Lord;

Bob Marley (1945-1981)

If you believe in something, believe in it till your last breath, believe in it even if everything you are being taught is against that belief. Otherwise do not believe at all.......

Major Issues

2006-12-18T01:13:00.000+05:30

I remember the first time i learnt to play the major scales..............i don't exactly remember when, but one of my friends, Krispy, showed it to me. Seemed like a piece of cake back then, it actually did.

Well now it doesn't.....

Surprised???

Well then let me show you why......

Each major scale can be played in various ways. Since C Major is the most common scale let's take it up shall we???

C Major is called a Natural Scale because it has no sharp or flat notes. The notes in the C major scale are C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C. 8 notes, including the lower and a higher C. Fairly simple to understand this much.

The hard part comes after this. That is the theory of Modes. Each scale has 7 modes. They are as follows.....

Aolian
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Mexoldian
Ionian and
Locrian.

The aolian mode is the simple major scale. The doran mode is the major scale played from its second note. For example C major, if played from D gives the D dorian mode, i.e the notes being played are D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D. Similarly, if we consider the C Major scale, you'll get the C-Aolian, D-Dorian, E-Phrygian , F-Lydian, G-Mexolydian, A-Ionian and the B-Locrian modes. The notes being played say in the G-Mexolydian modes are G, A, B, C, D, E, F and G. In this way each and every mode of the C major scale can be figured out. Similarly if we consider the G major scale(notes being G, A, B, C, D, E, F# and G) then well get the modes A-Dorian, B-Phrygian and so on.

This is one way to look at the modes. Another way to look at it is from the point of view of the note whose mode is being played. For example lets take the D-Dorian scale. It's notes are D, E, F, G, A, B, C and D. The notes in the D Minor scale are D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C and D. So we see that there is but a differnce of one note in the two scales, the Bb note in the minor scale being sharpened to the B note in the dorian mode. So we can say that the D dorian scale is nothing but a D minor scale with a sharpened 6th note. Since the dorian mode is the same from whichever key we play it, as is the minor scale, we can generalise the statement saying that the dorian mode itself is a minor scale with a sharpened 6th note. Following the same guidelines, it can be seen that the Phrygian mode is a minor scale with a flattened 2nd note, a Lydian scale is a Major scale with a sharpened 4th, a mexolydian is a major scale with a flattened 7th note, an aolian is a perfect minor scale and a locrian is a minor scale with a flattened 2nd and a sharpened 4th note.

This gives a whole new perspective to a major scale. The interesting thing to note here is that since the 6th mode, i.e the aolian is a perfect minor scale, the aolian note is often referred to a the relative minor of the root note. For example A minor is the relative minor of C major and the notes in the C major and A minor scale are exactly the same. So the C major scale played from the A note, i.e with the A as root gives the A minor scale.

The implications of this are vast. For example when a backing chord of C dominant 7th is being played, instead of playing the C major scale in a solo, one can easily play a C Mexolydian mode and bring in the flavour of the flattened 7th note.

One of the most interesting usages of modes is seen in the guitar solo of Hotel California, the electric version. The vivid flavour of the solo is done through fascinating usage of modes of D, the key of the song being that.

The fun part about modes are that, knowing this theory opens up a vast world of scales for the musicians. Instead of just one scale, he has now a variety of scales to choose from. Properly implimented, it can be a lot of fun!!!!!

Well now that i've thoroughly bored the hell out of all of you guys who read my blog, ciao.........

Imagine there's no.........

2006-11-30T00:24:00.000+05:30

At one time, when the Buddha was at Savatthi, the monk Malunkyaputta asked "If the Blessed One knows whether the world is eternal, whether the world is finite, whether the life principle and the body are the same, whether an enlightened person continues to exist after death, please teach me about these things."

The Buddha answered "Malunkyaputta, I never said 'Follow me and I will answer your questions' nor did you say 'I will follow the Blessed One because he will explain these matters'.

"Then what is your position? You are like a person shot with a poisoned arrow, who says 'I will not have this arrow removed until I know who shot it, his name, his family, whether he is tall or short, young or old.....' This person would die before all these questions could be answered.

"Malunkyaputta, the religious life does not depend on dogma. Whether the world is eternal or not, whether the world is finite or not, whether the life principle and the body are or are not the same, and whether or not an enlightened person continues to exist after death, there undoubtedly do exist sorrow, discontent, grief and despair, the overcoming of which I make known.

"Why then have I not answered your questions? Because they are not profitable, do not concern religious practice, and do not lead to Enlightenment."

P.S. - A friend of mine sent me this........i found it to be.........well.......thought provoking...........

One fine Thursday Evening....

2006-11-26T23:22:00.000+05:30

Pink Noise....

Princeton Club....

Rum with Coke....

....and all that jazz

Arbitrarily Put........

2006-10-15T23:19:00.000+05:30

......this post probably wouldn't make any sense whatsoever.............a mixed bag or call it what you will......

I shall start off at the very beginning..............because if u look at it that way i have very little choice to start of anywhere else..............

Pujos...yeah that'd be a nice beggining.Ma Durga was untimely summoned by Ram.Hell the chap even donated his eyes for this noble cause.Well at least he believed in something.....

Pujos, yup. A time to enjoy, to spend without counting, to admire without criticising, to love without hating, to booze(yeah how could i ever forget that.......)

Pujo's were fun....kinda different fun but fun none the less...........my dearest friend Shonai (better known in the blogosphere as the fishhater) has analysed this pujo very well so if u want more information(sounds very official dosen't it???) visit her space.....

Life has moved on a lot for me.........i've realised this during and after the Oktoberfest of Kolkata......i'm no longer bound by ties of the past..........i've made choices for better or worse that have led me down a different road................a road where my priorities and my feelings come first, not those of others.............

Sacrifices i have needed to make , i have made....

I played at a couple of gigs during the pujos as well........i sometimes wonder when i will be asked to play some good music and will be presented with a good audience...how much longer will i have to keep playing stupid baangla stuff ??? when will people apreciate me for who i am, not what they want me to be???

oh and another thing...............i've been getting a brilliant high on adhesives, primarily dendrite lately..............oh don't get me wrong, i'm not doing nongra nesha's as it's termed......it's just that me and the other orpheusites have been soundproofing my mezzanine floor so we can practice without getting kicked out of our pad.............this process consists of sticking egg crates(yeah we bought a whole bunch, around 500, of them off a mudi shop) on the walls of the room with dendrite...........phokote nesha kora jaake bole........

and most importantly i have started doing my classes...................i don't know if it wa my conscience or fear of getting one too many cases that made me do this but i have started doing this none the less...............it ought to be good for me........

yeah thats the thing about growin' up.............. realising what's good for you and what's not....making sense of the cards that u've been dealt.......

i thought i'd end this very melodramatically or sumthin.........but i can't find anything else to write......

so i shall stop.......

.....It really makes me wonder

2006-08-21T23:20:00.000+05:30

I see people all around me......

People buying cell phones.......

Cell phones with built in megapixel cameras.....

Cell phones with built in mp3 players.....

I-pods with loads of Gb's memory........

Stuff that cost a lot of money.........

Stuff that most people buy just to show off....

Stuff that most people buy just so that they can be "cool"

I wonder why the urge to buy the necessities that'll make me a cool person don't come to me....

I wonder why I never go shopping for clothes...........only for cd's

Why I still wear my old, faded and scratched frames

I wonder why I never ever pester my parents for a hip and trendy phone....

Why I still make do with an outdated Motorola handset that does nothing other than make and receive phone calls and send and receive sms'.............

I wonder where the money for my new electric bass will come from......

I wonder why?..........

This One's An Original

2006-08-15T23:23:00.000+05:30

Sometime back our group of regular lyadkhors were lyadofying at Shonai's place.As far as i recall I was there along with our very own Teko, Trina and of course Shonai. We were bored, there was (as a matter of fact there still is) a huge lack in all of our lives. We were trying desparately to entertain ourselves and the lyad had taken such gigantic proportions that we had stooped to the level of reading out each others sms' to each other. Ciggatette in hand i was half concentrating on Trina's voice when suddenly something she read hit me and Shonai together. It was a couple of lines from a forwarded message (one of the innumerable teko receives with startling regularity).
It went something like this..

"Sex, drugs and rock and roll
Speed, weed and birth control"

Suddenly all the lyad disappeared into thin air and we spurned into action. A general concensus was reached that this could be made into a song. I picked up the acoustic that was lying beside me (we had gone through our regular quota of songs to be sung when we meet and an acoustic is at hand already that day) and started to play. After the usual crappy stuff that comes into my mind whenever i try to compose something ( my tremendous liking for the blues is so much that whatever i try to play ends up being bluesy) i finally came up with a nice sounding riff.

Meanwhile Shonai concentrating hard came up with wonderful lyrics. As far as a melody line went for the lack of anything else, we decided to make it sound like the riff itself.

Slowly the song started to take shape. Trina came up with wonderful harmonies (she has a fabulous voice). The first verse repeats twice. The second time Trina sings a cannon harmony (it's the type of harmony where the same line is repeated with a slight time difference between the two repetitions). The second verse has a more conventional third harmony.

The chorus was a flash of brilliance from mine and Shonai's part. I came up with the chord chart and Shonai with the melody.

The lyrics go like this

"Small world,
Locked in a room,
Trapped in a hole
Waiting to lose,
Outta control

High, high is the place
The place to be
Drowning within,
And i can't see
Do it fast,
Then i'll die
Life is a pane
Guess I'll get high.

CHORUS

Sex, drugs and rock & roll,
Speed, weed and birth control
Head heights, guitar cries
Broken strings and mindfucked flights."

Shonai has come up with two more verses but that remains to be arranged.

I don't know what'll eventually happen to the song..............whether it'll meet the same fate as the myriad of songs that were written but never released. But i feel it's got a lot of potential.

Ramblings of an innocent heart

2006-08-08T21:02:00.000+05:30

Is it ever possible to completely get over someone you've loved with all your heart.........is it possible to deny the flutter of your heart at the sound of their voice...........the weakening of the knees upon sighting them.......yes i've been hurt by the one i loved........but even then can i ever stop loving......my heart is ruthless ..........ruthless at the ones who care for it........who don't treat it recklessly.......but you......you who treated me with disdain.......with disrespect.....with disregard...........with everything i did not deserve............why does my ruthless heart deal so leniently with you...............why does it want to forgive you again and again..........knowing well that tis all in vain..........

..........Baawra Mann dekhne chala ek sapna

The Serenity Prayer

2006-08-07T23:16:00.000+05:30

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardship as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

I'm not a particularly religious person but this i found to be quite appealing..........

2006-08-02T22:44:00.000+05:30

THE FAB FOUR

The Beatles! So much has been written, read, heard and seen about them that writing about them seems absurd now. So instead of writing about their much heard about history and achievements, let’s focus on their songs, how they came about and small stories attached to them. All that’s included in this article has been heard from people or been found on the Net and, boy, is it interesting! So here are some of their songs and it’s amazing to know how they came about.
Love Me Do ~ John and Paul wrote the song after bunking school when they were 17 and 16 respectively. It was written on Paul’s then girlfriend Iris Caldwell. This song was heard by producer George Martin when the Beatles were auditioning for Parlophone records who liked it a lot and started tinkering with it right away and added the harmonica part. Lennon who fortunately knew how to play the instrument was able to come up with that part. As a result of this McCartney had to shift to lead vocals. He later joked that the fear in his voice can be heard in the recording. The harmonica played by Lennon on the song was supposedly stolen from a music shop in Arnhem, a Dutch town near to the German border, while the Beatles were on their way to Hamburg. Recorded on the 5th of September 1962 it took 15 takes to complete. This was released as a single, their first. George Martin was somehow never satisfied with the song that they recorded and a week later the Beatles returned to the studios to find that a new drummer by the name of Andy White had been brought in. This left Ringo feeling very insecure as the Beatles had just fired their previous drummer, Pete Best. So the recording of the song released as a single has Ringo on drums but in the song on the album Andy White is on the drums with Ringo sidetracked to playing the maracas. Recorded in mono on one-track tape, no Stereo version of this song exists. When this was released in England, it was not a big hit. The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, was so confident in the group that he gave the single a big marketing push by buying a bunch of copies of it (some say 10,000) for his record store, which helped get it on the charts and ensured more exposure for the band.

All My Loving ~ Arguably the most commercially successful Beatles track, this was composed by Paul McCartney and recorded on 30 July, 1963. It was about an old girlfriend of Paul’s known as Jane Asher. This was also the only song for which Paul first wrote the lyrics and then composed the tune. It was never released as a single and was a part of the album With The Beatles.

Yesterday ~ McCartney’s masterpiece which he recorded on 14 June, 1965. This is probably Paul’s most successful song, as Yesterday has been recorded more than 2500 times by other artists over the years, making it the most recorded song in music history. The tune for Yesterday came to him during the night. As he awoke, he went straight to the piano and played the complete tune. It was so easy that Paul feared that the tune must be from another song. To get a feel for the lyrics, Paul first titled it Scrambled Eggs followed by the lyrics, “Oh you’ve got such lovely legs.” For the next month or so, Paul played the song for many people, asking them if they had ever heard it, still believing the tune came from another song. No one had heard it before and consequently, Yesterday was born. It has been said that during the filming of “Help!” Paul drove the other Beatles crazy by playing the song over and over again.

Michelle ~ Michelle is one of McCartney’s best compositions. Paul got the inspiration for this song from seeing French art students at a party, dressed in their berets and sporting beards. He used the name Michelle not because of any particular woman but simply because it sounded good. Jan Vaughn, the wife of Ivan Vaughn, an old friend of Lennon and McCartney’s, provided the French lyrics. When Paul had not come up with the name of Michelle, he used words like ‘goodnight sweetheart’ and ‘hello my dear’ as a substitute. The song was recorded on 3 November, 1965. It won the Grammy for the song of the year in 1966 and was No. 1 in France.

In My Life ~ This song was a favourite of Lennon and McCartney. It was written by Lennon after he was asked why a book written by him, In His Own Write revealed more about him than his songs. Upon his tragic death in 1980, this song took on the role as his personal epitaph. The Beatles recorded this track leaving a hole for the instrumental break. Producer George Martin filled it in the next morning by playing a piano solo and speeding up the tape to make it sound like a harpsichord. Lennon had asked him to fill it with something “baroque.” It was voted the best song of all time by a panel of songwriters in the 2000 Mojo Magazine Poll.

Eleanor Rigby ~ Eleanor Rigby, an outstanding song by Paul was recorded on 28 and 29 April and 6 June, 1966. To match the sombre mood of the track, there are no drums; string quartet are the only instruments. There are three stories behind its name. In their youth, Paul and John met at a church function at St. Peter’s, Woolton. In the graveyard there is a stone with the name Eleanor Rigby, who died on 10 October, 1939. It is believed that maybe Paul recalled this name from his subconscious years later. However, it is also said that Paul got the name from two sources. The name of “Rigby,” was taken from a shop front in Bristol, and the name “Eleanor,” came from his former co-star Eleanor Bron, in the film Help!

Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart’s Club Band: The Album ~ There are lots of stories about the Album Pepper in general and so let’s deviate from the usual style of writing about particular songs and focus about the album in general. Sgt Pepper, on the vinyl (the old stereo record) version, as it was originally released was famous as the sequence of songs in two continuous sides of music, without any pauses. The Beatles also intended that this sequence of songs be different than they eventually were released. Originally, Side A on the vinyl was to have Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band; With A Little Help From My Friends; Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!; Fixing A Hole; Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds; Getter Better, and She’s Leaving Home. However, this order had to be altered because the vinyl could not accommodate the combined length of these songs. The sequence was therefore then changed to what appears in the song sequence on the album, on both the vinyl and the CD versions. Had CDs been available in 1967, the album could have been delivered as the Beatles intended. The cover of Sgt Pepper is unique in itself, containing 86 cardboard cut-outs depicting images of famous people, wax models of Paul, John, George and Ringo, and other objects such as a velvet snake, television, stone figures, a trophy, an Indian doll, a hookah, tuba, and more. When looking at the cover, you will see two larger spaces above the top row. The first is between the image of Edgar Allen Poe (8th from left) and after The Vargas Girl (11th from left). The first gap was intended, the second was not. After the Vargas Girl was supposed to be the image of Leo Gorcey, an actor. However, he requested a fee to use his image, so it was painted out. Also, the image of Adolph Hitler was originally to be included, but was nixed. The Beatles used a ton of trickery in the studio over the years, with very innovative recordings. On Pepper, besides the many sound effects throughout, one will find the forty-second crashing piano chord after the last track, A Day in the Life, followed by what is a 15-kilocycle tone, placed there by John Lennon to “especially annoy your dog.” This was followed by several seconds of nonsense talking by the Beatles that was recorded, then cut into several pieces of tape, then stuck back together to form these sounds. On the vinyl album, many people did not hear these sounds, as with the old turntables, the arm would return before these sounds could be heard, as this track was so far at the end, the arm would reject before this part was heard. However, on the CD version, these sounds can be clearly heard. Another first was the use of a 40-piece orchestra, that was recorded on a four-track system, and dubbed to sound as through a 160-piece orchestra was used.

Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart’s Club Band: The Song ~ The title song from this album was recorded on 1 and 2 February and 3 and 6 March, 1967, at the famous Abbey Road Studio Two. The brainchild of Paul, this album was finished in five months. This particular track starts with a ten second applause from an audience that has supposedly come to listen to The Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band perform. An applause lasting for about two seconds is the only gap between this track and the next one, With a Little Help from My Friends.

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds ~ One of the most famous Beatles’ numbers, many people actually believe that the tile of this song was intended as LSD, which is actually not true. One day when Paul and George were about to sit down for a song writing session, one of their very few, John noticed a picture on the wall painted by his son Julian. In response to his fathers question Julian replied, “Oh!, That’s Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Thus inspired John and Paul came up with this track. Paul came up with some of the terms like “Tangerine Trees”, “Cellophane Flowers”, while John was equally good with terms like “Marmalade Skies” and “Newspaper Taxis”. The song though is undoubtedly written on the influence that LSD has on the consumer, so it was an amazing coincidence when later others pointed out the LSD that appears in the title of the song.

Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite ~ This song also has a very interesting origin. John Lennon once came across a poster advertisement of a circus that had been printed in 1843 and it that announced the appearance of a circus coming to town. They called it Pablo Fanque’s Circus Royal, and boasted the “grandest night of the season,” at Town Meadows, in the north of England. Directly written on this poster was “for the benefit of Mr. Kite”. As a result, Lennon wrote Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite! All the characters in the song and the feats they would perform, came directly from this poster.

The Fool on The Hill ~ Another personal Beatles’ favourite, this song also originated from a very peculiar incident that occurred when Paul was out walking with his dog Martha (about whom the song “Martha My Dear” was written, by the way) on Primrose Hill in London. Martha disappeared for an instant and Paul was looking everywhere for her when suddenly there mysteriously appeared this well dressed looking gentleman who returned his dog to him and after the pleasantries were exchanged, when Paul looked away for an instant he disappeared. The nearest tree was too far for him to reach in that instant and so was the crest of the hill. Back home while brooding on the incident, Paul composed this amazing number.

I Am The Walrus ~ A great song by Lennon, and those of us who admire him greatly, rate this as one of his best. This disjointed song was written from an amalgamation of at least three other songs he was working on at the time, but which he thought were not good enough on their own. Many of the images were taken from actual events, such as the policemen, which came about when he heard their car sirens one day, and he tried to copy the rhythm of the sirens The second song was a pastoral melody created at his Weybridge home garden, and the third was a nonsense song about sitting on a cornflake (he liked Kellogg’s Cornflakes). However, much of this song is made up of nonsensical images and words invented by Lennon, such as semolina pilchards, elementary penguins, texpert, crabalocker, etc. The line “Yellow Matter Custard, Dripping from a Dead dog’s eyes” was however adapted from a schoolyard rhyme that Lennon remembered. One of his inspirations for these ludicrous images was Bob Dylan. Lennon believed that Dylan got away with murder in some of his lyrics, so as Lennon explained it in later years said “I can write this crap, too.” The only lyric in the song where Lennon was serious is the first line, where he describes his belief in unity of all things. Lennon invented the line ‘elementary penguin singing Hare Krishna’ as a jibe at Allen Ginsberg who chanted Hare Krishna at public rallies, and the walrus came from the Lewis Carroll poem, The Walrus and The Carpenter.” When this song was released on the B-side and Paul’s “Hello Goodbye” and the A-side, John got enraged at their manager who selected the arrangements of the songs. To confuse the interpreters of the song Lennon also added parts from BBC’s broadcast King Lear and the voices of a choir singing “Oompah, oompah, stick it in your jumper” and “Everybody’s got one, everybody’s got one.” To confuse them even further later in the song Glass Onion, he sung “The Walrus was Paul”.

These are but some of the timeless classics that were written by the Beatles. They were, are, and will remain the greatest rock band ever, for most of us. The Beatles will forever be a great source of inspiration for some like me. Their songs speak for themselves. Their greatness is unparalleled. So if you haven’t heard much of The Beatles, we suggest you do so immediately, because in their songs lies a hidden something that makes them pass the strong test of time that most other bands have failed to withstand.

--------XXX-------

This was an article that i wrote for the statesman back in the 11th grade...........i found it surfin' through the statesman website............

Metal over Blues

2006-07-31T21:39:00.000+05:30

I've been wondering a lot lately why people these days are generally more metal oriented than into blues and rock 'n roll. It is indeed a sort of a mystery but there are perhaps a few explanations why it is so......

Todays world is fast paced........fast paced and loud. In the coffe bars the dresses people wear are loud...they drive fast cars.....they spend fast money. The world is no longer laid back and relaxed.........no longer do people have the time to stop and take the time to actually feel something......

it is only natural that this state of affairs be reflected in the world of music......

Blues, in general demands a lot from the listener. Old school blues in particular is a lot of empty spaces interspersed with the odd note played here and there. The listener has to be attentive to the music.....it demands that one feel the notes....the gentle sound of the instrument taking him or her away on a ride of his or her life; it is up to the listener at the end of the day to interpret the music in their own way and understand what the musician is trying to convey to him or her...........

A lot to demand from the current generation of music lovers don't you think????

Metal on the other hand is much more direct..........it hits the listener directly.it has absolutely no room for interpretation.........it's loud and fast and it has all the essential elements to satisfy todays music lovers....

That seems very apparent.........

What i really feel is that we're compromising a lot when we actually listen to music at such a superficial level. Most of us claim to be hardcore music enthusiasts........but what i guess we should realise is music actually demands as much from the listener as it does from the musician.......every note , every slide has a meaning...........has a story to tell.......it is upto us to give our time and efforts and listen properly to them......i think we owe this much to something we claim to love so much............

if music lovers are actually able to do this, not only will they be able to appreciate blues and all it's offshoots.......but i guess they'll be able to appreciate even good metal much more...........................

For all you beatles fans out there

2006-07-26T22:24:00.000+05:30

Well i am dumbfounded......and i think it's time we beatlemaniacs...and i know that there are quite a few of us out there took a stand against some dude in orkut known as K.C.

This is how it goes.........

At a community known as Kolkata Blues Pub a dicussion was on about the origin and beauty of blues music when this smartass dude known as K.C. came around and started insulting Nilanjanda's band Lakhicharra.....well as usual nilanjanda as expected retailiated..............and this is where our story starts............

i have just summarised basic points of the conversation...if you wanna check out the entire conversation click on the link...........

Nilanjanda was commenting on how Lakhicharra were at least trying to improve the bangla band scene and how they were trying to popularise bangla rock globally....

To this K.C had to say

"And when someone says 'Making bengali music global'..does he mean 'Global' in Bharat Desh or worldwide ???Either way..I do believe you stand a good chance in England, because the beatles (who, like all the bangla bands out there, played only two (fine...three) chords all their lives) could sell their records in england"

Some dude known as sandipan retaliated by saying

"Beatles - 2 chords in their life? 3 chords? Dude - go listen to a song named "Michelle"... "

K.C replied

" "Beatles - 2 chords in their life? 3 chords? Dude - go listen to a song named "Michelle"..."(he quoted sandipan )
FINE...4 chords. "

Nilanjanda joins in saying

"Beatles songs are not that easy to play, specially Michelle, Girl, The long and winding road, Here comes the sun, Hey Bulldog etc. Projection of chords are really excellent. Infact I am a Beatles maniac. And also very emotional about the band. "

K.C goes on

" "Infact I am a Beatles maniac. And also very emotional about the band."

I'm not.I dont listen to I-know-three-chords-i'll-play-three-and-look-gay-so-that-i-sellpeople and bands... "

On the song Michelle he had to say....

" If its a song WITH a solo section..let me know,'cause the beatles vocal talents are hardly anything I can listen to and take inspiration from."

.......and he signed off by saying

"Anyway..its not like they could sing/play to save their lives,forget inspiring someone else"

????????????????????..........what the hell guys................do we tolerate this????????

http://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=4062369&tid=22974557&na=3&nst=-2&nid=4062369-22974557-2446099665252452769

and if u want info on what kind of a baal this chap is check out

http://rsjonline.com/Bandlands/Band.asp?Country=India&Band=Infectious%20Fungus

ADDA

2006-07-11T17:21:00.000+05:30

"The time has come", the walrus said
"To talk of many things.
Of shoes and ships and ceiling wax,
And cabbages and kings.
And why the sea is boiling hot
And whether pigs have wings".......

2006-07-01T12:48:00.000+05:30

well i finally mustered up the courage to enter unprotected into the highly dangerous world of the internet..........i.e in spite of repeated requests to everyone i know i still do not possess any anti-virus software to protect my computer from the horrifying terrors that lurk amidst all the glitz and glamour of the internet........god knows how many spywares and trojan horses and viruses and whatnot's are affecting my pc right at this moment............scary thought huh..........aww shit..............after writing all this stuff i'm even more scared than before............what the fuck..............i'd better log off before the thing goes beyond repair........see ya guys.....................

"Spell" Bound

2006-04-05T10:29:00.000+05:30

"In the end, true to form, we ended up indulging in serious lyaith"

browsing through raginis blog today i observed in one of her posts entitled "A Jolly Holiday" the line quoted above.....

it made me wonder.........

we bangali bloggers face major problems due to the obvious differences between our mother tongue and the "Britis" language........we earnestly try to overcome those difficulties by inventing to the best of our abilities "Britis" spelling for bangla words...........i have observed quite interesting specimens of our creativity in this regard.........but after rading the above mentioned line ladies and gentlemen i have to say that of the 20 odd different ways that i have seen the word.......lets see how do i spell it.....umm..."lyad" (i guess thats the closest huh??) i have to give it to her.......she rules the roost guys.........

wat say u??

...........another brick in the wall

2006-04-03T12:10:00.000+05:30

No dark sarcasm indeed............it was nt even possible to be sarcastically nice about our performance friday......those who tried to do so ended up being so obviously sarcastic, the whole point of the sarcasm was lost............whatever be the case.....the point was moot..........we sucked (and sucked badly at that) on stage that day.........

...........on stage day that...........that freaking fateful day...........the day for which we had practiced so much...........spent hours trying to fine tune each tone.........each note each bend......... for a better more correct sound............trust me guys we sounded anything but crappy at our practice pad............

..........but the stage i guess is a different issue altogether..........where sound balancing is a major issue.........i guess in a song like floyd the total output is created out of a perfect blend of each instrument....and the instruments need to be balanced perfectly to get the correct output.........three minutes of sound balancing just did not provide us with that kind of a sound......bilu ws way to loud.........me and laddu were'nt heard at all............mama was kinda muffled.......the only general concensus was that piu rocked...........which i guess was true..........

..............on stage with the sound that we got the thing did'nt sound bad..............there were no major fuck ups except the time when bilu's sound inexplicably went off just as he was about to enter the solo.......so we were totally unprepared for the reaction of the audience..............but i guess these excuses are pointless cos at the end of the day we sucked.......

...........the music business is kinda hard............and if ur dubbed a crappy band, it's had to get out of that...........but hopefully it'll be a minor setback..........we guys are actually better than what we delivered the other day...........hopefully sometime in the near future we'll be able to prove that...........

edit on 10th march 2007-today we performed as glass onion with more or less the same outfit and came first at the same competition.HA.

Anti Collegiate

2006-03-24T10:10:00.001+05:30

I just realised something........... I hate my freaking college................i'd rather hang out in other people's colleges than mine......there's absobloomin'lutely no reason why i should though.it's not like i don't have friends here or anythin...........not like i don't like the subjects they teach me or anythin..........as a matter of fact there's no god damn reason on earth why i should not be able to stand the sight of my college.....but there it is..maybe they should put it up on Great Mysteries Of the Universe or something..................is it just me or are there any others out there who feel the same about their college??? Are there others who would rather hangout at Presi or J.U (THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO THE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY STUDY THERE, trust me guys consider urselves very lucky) than fuck around at ur own college???? if you do then please let me know.....together maybe we'll be able to get to the bottom of this geat mystery..........

It's really not done.......i feel dat i'm disrespecting my college and proudly doing so when everyday after staying here for only an hour or so i promptly get up on an auto and haul my ass over to somewhere else....there are actually a variety of places i go to and i do it almost....no wait..... (there was positively and absolutely no use for that "almost") every freakin' college day.......... it's positively inexplcable but there it is dudes and dudettes......

On a more positive note, i got to learn yesterday that our vocalist Debo has gotten better and might be able to turn up in time for our show...........so hopefully orpheus will be having their full lineup when they take the stage for the 1st time on monday............that is if me or bilu don't fall sick..........i mean why not..........if all the others can fall sick why can't we????

Food or thought for all you bloggers out there.......i've heard that there are regular bloggers meets where all bloggers come face to face. Have you guys ever considered turning these meets into booze parties...........consider for a second........almost all bloggers are bigtime boozers (and some bigtime choruus as well.....matal "mojo" magi for example).....so it's like at a blogmeet large number of maalkhors come together...........isn't it only fair that we should have booze at these meets............tell me what u think about it.........i sincerely await your comments.........and if my ideas are actually put into practice, isn't it fair that u guys should treat me to some booze for coming up with such wonderful ideas.........

2006-03-23T11:49:00.000+05:30

SAD BUT TRUE

dudes and dudettes, i think i've finally figured out how this works!!!! So i shall move right on.........I am sitting at my college library.with basically nothing to do.....my ex- is right behind me with her newfound love but sadly enough I seem to be quite unaffected by it. I guess that denial can be taken actually to a stage where you're unaffected by your own feelings.......did i put that correctly?????anyhows i hope you get the point...........i have an exam in like half an hour and I have no clue as to what it's all about...........Electronics or so they say??I also have like a show on monday but all my bandmates have decided that the time is ripe to fall seriously ill..........so our vocalist is having regular fits..........our guitarist is bedridden and god knows what is fucking wrong with our drummer. Point is life has suddenly gone haywire.............or is it just me?????Lets see how things turn out........

2006-03-23T11:41:00.000+05:30

Okay people, this is my blog...........but i'm a bit confused as to how this thing works.....so guys and gals (sitter na niye) can you please help me out??????