Author: AK U

Categories
Poetry

Dreaming Space

I need more living space. No, not in the cyberspace.

I need more space to breathe fresh air.

To bask in the warmth of the sun.

To listen to the rain drops without the clanks of petrol guzzlers.

To dream in silence.

I need more dreaming space in my life.

Categories
Leisure

Green New Year

2011. Another year to be grateful that we:

– have so many beautiful things in life.
– have so many wonderful people in life.
– have tender emotions like love, compassion and gratitude.
– are capable of giving back to the world and mother nature for being so kind to us.

Wish you a new year filled with peace and love !

Please. Please change one thing in your life today that will make the environment less stressed. Write your ideas for going green (as comments on this page), so you can share it with all readers of this Blog.

Categories
Leisure

A R Rahman and Sonu Nigam

When I was in College, I listened to Sonu Nigam for the first time. To his early album – Deewana. I was instantly dissolved by the joy of his singing. There was no doubt in my mind that he was going to rule the world of Indian playback singing. He did soon afterwards.

Being a great A R Rahman fan from my high school days, I got this thought. “How will it feel if Sonu sings to A R Rahman’s tunes ?”. I was overwhelmed by thinking about this possibility.
Later, the two combined to create many awesome songs like “Sat Rangee Re” in the movie “Dil Se”.
Somehow they were not like the song that I had imagined. Years later, a song was born in the movie “Jhoota Hi Sahi” where my dream was fulfilled. The song “Do Nishaniyaan(Shorter Version)” magically created the same feelings in me when I imagined this a decade back.
Surreal. Magical. These moments make life worth living. Catch a glimpse. And download it if you wish.

Categories
Leisure

A R Rahman and Dido

A R Rahman. Should I say anything more ?

Dido. One of the few western musicians I have been listening to. Simple and honest music with a subtly passionate singing style.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn these 2 got together for the song “If I rise” in Danny Boyle’s movie – “127 hours”.
Sounded interesting to me on my first listening. As usual, Rahman has rowed into uncharted waters. The amalgamation does n’t appear revolutionary to me. At least yet. But I am happy.
Categories
Simplicity

A Flash of Paradise

Bangalore feels like paradise today. I mean, just the weather.

Noon was served chilled today. And I am loving it !
Chennai is being lashed by the rain gods, maybe that is creating these unusually cold winter days in Bangalore ? Top it with the fact that I had to wake up early and went cycling.

I wonder if life can remain so joyous like this over longer periods of time. Without any bells and whistles like money and fame.

Categories
Leisure

Cook it up with love

My wife has started blogging her cooking inventions and improvisations. She is too excited about her new blog that she cooks up interesting recipes more frequently these days. (Good for me !).

Frankly speaking, you will not be disappointed if you sincerely try these recipes.

So, Cook it up with love  for dinner tonight !

Categories
Society

annam brahma

अन्नम् ब्रह्म – “annam brahma” is an old Hindu idea which roughly means “Food is God”.

If that sounds too primitive, watch the movie “Food Inc” to learn why America is in deep trouble because it sees food as just a commodity. The movie will change forever the way you look at food. Here is the official trailer in Youtube.

Unless you are too busy to take care of your health, I highly recommend you to watch this movie.

Categories
Society

India’s Soft Power !

What a speech by the MP Shashi Tharoor on what India means to the world in 21st century ! Again, he proves that he is one of the best Indian politicians ever. See for yourself in this TED Video.

I wish he becomes India’s Prime Minister in the near future, though I doubt it will happen with the Gandy family around.
Categories
Society

Sick of Capitalism

I always had a sick feeling about capitalism since it considers money as God. (that is my understanding of it)

This week’s “Week” magazine has Mahesh Dattani putting it in black and white in the last page article “A sickness called capitalism“. I could not agree more !
Categories
Simplicity

Soap Nut !

Today is World Environment Day.

For some time, I have been thinking about alternatives to chemical based detergents for clothes and utensils. My grandma used to talk about some ‘Soap Kaai’ (means Soap-Fruit in Tamil) used during her childhood, but I never managed to get sufficient information about it then. My eco-responsibility-instinct being a bit high today(for obvious reasons), my optimistic googling revealed it to me !

You will not believe it. Soap-Nuts(as they are called) grow in trees in the wild, in India. And there is an Australian Company that imports it and makes cleaning products based on it. The company is called ‘Soap in a nutshell’ ! FAQ from their its website.

Now, if any of you know where I can find these trees, please tell me !

Here is another link about making your daily routine greener.