Of Himesh and History

It has been two days and I have not spoken a word. That is what happens when you live by yourself. After Friday afternoon, I said a word on Sunday night when my mother called me. It's amusing that, although I may not be speaking, I am constantly having conversations with the voice in my head.

My Instagram feed is filled with videos of Himesh Reshammiya's concert in Delhi. My former high school classmate, who works in the media, actually emceed the event. Himesh Reshammiya is a legend. The music is nostalgia. I recall that he became a sensation in 2005, when I started college, and during ragging, the seniors made us sing and enact songs from Aashiq Banaya Aapne. I love all his popular peppy songs, but there is immense sadness in his songs. Afsana Bana Ke Bhool Na Jaana. Teri Meri. Main Jahaan Rahoon. "Kehne ko saath apne ek duniya chalti hai, par chhup ke is dil mein tanhaai palti hai, bas yaad saath hai, teri yaad saath hai." He deserves a whole thesis. I have never attended a concert in my life, but if I could, it would be of Himesh Reshammiya. His music is best suited for communal singing. 

       

I spent the weekend reading and watching videos on the breakup of Yugoslavia. Earlier this year, I read a lot about the disintegration of the Soviet Union. History is simply fascinating. We can see how the events of today are connected to those in the past. Russia's attack on Ukraine today has its roots in the disintegration of the Soviet Union in the 1990s. The Israel-Palestine war goes back centuries to an old conflict. Even the inauguration of the Ram Temple by Narendra Modi dates back to his life, when riots occurred in 2002 after a train carrying karsevaks from Ayodhya was set on fire, and further back to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement of the 1990s, when he organized the chariot of LK Advani. 

I read a few books this year on the history of the Ram temple movement from both sides. I love history. Meenakshi Jain, who has recently been appointed a member of the Rajya Sabha, has provided archaeological evidence in her book, The Battle for Rama, that the temple existed. But the way the mosque was brought down is one of the most shameful days in the history of India. Former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar had found a peaceful solution to the dispute, which all fighting parties agreed upon. But the Congress party did not want him to claim credit for resolving the issue. So they did not support him. All this could have been avoided had politicians relinquished the greed of claiming credit. The legal case in itself is mind-bending. Under Indian law, a deity in a temple is an individual entity, and like a firm or a trust, can contest its own case. The deity in this case is Ram Lalla, and as per law, is considered a perpetual minor and needs a ‘next friend’ to represent it in court. The case is based on the doctrine of adverse possession, which comes into play when a person, who does not have the title to the property but can become its owner due to their possession, because the original owner did not evict them for 12 years. The counsel for Ram Lalla attempted to prove that the rights of idols over a property are protected forever, as they are considered perpetual minors. As such, Ram Lalla owns the land. That is why lawyers make money; they are skilled at these things. To discuss these topics, I have started another Instagram account where I will post things I find interesting. 

Last weekend, I played golf for the first time. Two of my office colleagues asked me to accompany them. I have no idea how to play, but that is how you learn. It is tiring, though, as one has to carry their clubs from one hole to the next. It was not expensive at all. Just $9 for 18 holes.

I also watched Aap Jaisa Koi. The film has stunning cinematography. Every frame is beautifully shot. I love it when filmmakers spend thought and effort in making films. The first hour is wonderfully charming, but the second half is less engaging. I am considering writing in detail about three films that have recently featured stunning cinematography—Aap Jaisa Koi, Bhakshak, and The Mehta Boys.

I don't receive many messages on WhatsApp either, but this weekend, I heard from one of my very early managers at my workplace. When he joined, he was new to the company. I helped him ramp up, even though he was my manager, as I had been on the team for a longer time. He is no longer at my workplace and has been living in India for ten years. Even though he was my manager ten years ago, he keeps messaging me once in a while. So, I felt nice that someone made an effort to stay in touch. I thanked him for it, and I was so surprised that he replied this message to me. :)

Perhaps, that is why they say, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Talking About Life - To Be Young Again!

I received many lovely comments on my earlier post, which made me feel both sad and happy simultaneously. Thank you to all of you who read and reached out to me. I feel so grateful and humbled that someone would take the time out of their lives to reply to me. I truly appreciate everyone who took the time to write these comments. I read many newsletters and blogs, but I rarely comment on anyone's posts. So, thank you again. I want to write more, not just about movies, but about random events from life, because, as they said in The Lunchbox, "We forget things if we have no one to tell them to." I used to write those posts in the early 2010s about the daily happenings in my life. I plan to write this type of post more often.

This is the summertime in Seattle, and many interns join during this time. So, last week, I ran into an intern. I was entering my office, and he entered right behind me. It was a Sunday. He looked at me and said he was surprised to see someone in the office on Sunday. So, he asks me, "What are you doing here?" I was like, "What are you doing here?" He said that he did not work last week, so he wants to finish his work because he has a design review. And then he introduced himself and started talking. He thought that I was an intern as well. I was like, brother, I was an intern when you were probably born. He is in his early 20s. And then, he spoke about his project, his university, his apartment, and all the cool (and some unprintable) things he is doing. And then he said he likes Seattle, but people don't talk here (finally, someone who agrees with me). I was listening to him with fascination. He has this zest and enthusiasm. Every day, he posts a thoughtful status on Slack that holds meaning for him. I told him I wish I were young again and could live life the way he is living. He has now become my friend, and I took him out to the lake one day, and then we went for dinner. Oh, to be young again! These days, there are numerous exciting opportunities available to young people. The young people today are incredibly sharp. I miss growing up in this time. It also reminds me of the time I met my cousin's kids in California last year. Her younger one is sixteen and is quite popular in school. He already knows how to drive and his eyes light up when he sees a fancy car on the road. He wears the best perfumes. He plays volleyball for the state. He coaches young kids in tennis lessons. He told me he has a girlfriend, but he pleaded not to tell his mom. But I told him I will tell his mom. He got so scared. Haha. But my cousin knows already. It is not a big deal. Moms know everything. When I was sixteen, I was such a shy, stupid kid, learning about electrophilic aromatic substitution of benzene. You see, I still follow all the content creators and teachers on Instagram who teach integration. Two months ago, I downloaded all the NCERT books and was reading them. I wish I could be young again and live life differently.

I read this tweet, and I have not been able to stop thinking about it. It reminds me of what I was trying to say in my last post. Some people are so articulate with words. It is a beautiful and sad tweet.

I also watched Bhakshak, which is a very well-made film. I was avoiding watching it because of the grim subject matter. But after I watched it, I was surprised. I will try to write a paragraph or two on it and The Mehta Boys. Hopefully soon.

Also, birthday greetings to the Dalai Lama—one of the most graceful human beings on earth. They don't make people like him anymore. Sharing this excerpt from the Open magazine.

Dialogue of the Day:

"There is only one important point you must keep in your mind and let it be your guide. No matter what people call you, you are just who you are. Keep to this truth. You must ask yourself how is it you want to live your life. We live and we die, this is the truth that we can only face alone. No one can help us, not even the Buddha. So consider carefully, what prevents you from living the way you want to live your life?"

— Dalai Lama XIV