A Promising Start - Debut Song of Ranjith Melepatt -A soul stiring Melody - "Teri Chahat"- Album "Just for You"

" Teri Chahat, Tera Woh Chehra , Teri Parchayi ka Jadoo....Harzoo dekhu , hai tu hi tu, Meri Zindagi ka haasil tu' -  these serenading verses  set to equally melodious tune , translates into "Oh my beloved, your face, your passion and the magic which surrounds your being...every where, every moment, I am aware of you, for you are the core of my life" . Hearing this song set to tune by upcoming Music Director Ranjith Melepatt, rendered by young singer Naresh Iyer (of Rang de Basanti, Jane tu ya Jane na fame) with alaap by talented Master Saleem {of "Aahun Aahun" (Love Aaj Kal) , "Maa Da Laadla" (Dostana) , "Mast Kalandar" (Heyy Babyy) and "Tashan Mein" (Tashan) fame} , one is reassured that there is no dirth of new and promising talent in our country. Naresh Iyer's soft romantic voice is beautifully contrasted by Master Saleem's rustic and unique singing style. The song is a youthful amalgamation of Indian and western sounds, with a soothing ghazal touch.

 Ranjith has cashed in on his personal rapport with these well recognised industry names, in order to make his debut venture exceptional. The result is an absolutely breathtaking and soul-stirringly romantic creation. The song hits you like a burst of fresh air, when the audience is so saturated by loud Bhangra beats and tiring bolloywood renditions. "Teri Chahat" is beautifully rendered and the lyrics do justice to the  mesmerising tune.

Ranjith Melepatt has been very active in the Dubai music circuit and is a very well known face in Live shows and the bustling Radio scene. "Just for you" which started as a real-life inspired creation for his beloved, later turn into a debut venture. Lyrics were penned by his colleague and friend Mariam Asghar aka "Bubbly", one of the most popular RJs in Dubai. Much needed financial support was then  provided by his closest friends, who came together to form FRIENDS INC.

This  melodious and refreshing song was released by Radio One 94.3 FM  Nation-wide and by Radio Spice 105.4 FM in Dubai on 14th February 2011, as Valentines day gift for the listeners. Calcutta based U tunes entertainment is the marketing partner for the venture. The song is available for download on I tunes, Nokia Ovi Store, http://www.raaga.com/, http://www.manoramic.com/ (link below). The promotional video is also posted on YouTube (please see the link below).

Hope you will enjoy the track as much as I did.

You Tube Promo Video:

The song is downloadable via these links: Please download and encourage the young musicians

Nokia Ovi Store: http://music.ovi.com/in/en/pc/Product/Naresh-Iyer/Just-For-You/15395733

Raaga.com: http://www.raaga.com/channels/hindi/searchresults.asp?search=just+for+you&Lang=H&search_fld=ALBUM 


Manoramic.com ; http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.manoramic.com%2Fmusic%2Fhindi%2Falbums%2Fjust-for-you&h=e43e2

Memoirs on a Rainy day... ..

As the rain drops fell steadily, I sat by my window... I could feel my heart smile and starting to hum a song. My fascination with "Rain" began in my childhood, I think...when I remember sitting on my dad's lap watching the downpour, while he read out the newspaper aloud for me. He would let me play in the rain, despite life -threatening protests from my mother.. and I would jump around on my open terrace..... in my tiny muslin dresses.... all drenched, but happy like a butterfly......I remember feeling this immense curiosity on how the sky could holdup such huge amounts of water and still pour it with such a steady hand. I loved the way the drops felt on my skin, how nice my hair felt when it got wet, and I how felt free when I was in the rain. When you hold a large drop of water on your fingers...the looked into it...you can see the world...reflecting in such an amazing clarity.

When it City -rains come the whole world changes....the dust settles down, the leaves wear a shiny new coat and glisten in the light which bounces of the tiny specs of water. Streets make an unworthy attempt to soak it all in, but the water refuses to seep into the concrete cervices only to become puddles and mud ponds. People who were bearing brunt of the scorching heat of the dreadful summer months....wear a smile on their faces when they walk thorough the slow..soft rain...it is as if everyone is playing a song in their heads and swinging to the unheard personal rhythm. I know I do this.....I sing to myself when I walk…and I walk to the tune playing in my head....my eyes hurt from trying too hard to soak in all the beauty which suddenly seems to spring to life when it starts to rain.....my memories always have rain in them or I remember things which happened to me on the days it rained.......those sudden afternoon showers…I remember walking back from school with friends....in absolutely no visible hurry ......relishing the weight of drenched clothes, wriggling my toes inside the shoes which make the funniest squeaky noises when filled with water...

and then sitting in soggy smelling college class rooms, inevitably looking out of the broken window planes to see the noisy rain splattering on the well manicure university lawns.....all this, while letting the words shelly, Keats, Byron wash over your senses and transport you to a different realm....those chilly wet Winter rains…. I am sitting at a road side cafe sipping countless numbers of coffee refills...and realizing that I don’t have enough money in my wallet to pay for them.....of making a sad face to the old woman at the counter convincing her that you will pay up tomorrow ......memories of holding hands, fleeting glances, sweaty palms, half done smiles.....words not spoken...or words to many... and then there is the Magical tropical rain which falls and runs through small brooks and tiny pathways of the place you call “home”....the persistent rain...which seem to last of days and days......I feel so much at peace watching the water pour down from heavens ,nourishing the soil, preparing it for the other seasons to come, filling the ponds and wells with life- giving water.. the memories of sweet smells of love emitting from my mum's kitchen...notes of music floating through doorways which housed your childhood...it is déjà vu all over again.......as I watched today the cloudy skies and the impending promise of “Rain”………… I feel the bond to nature and its most amazing phenomenon ……I am happy to be alive to experience this differently each and every time....... I still do have the rains to look forward to and the memories it will bring with it………..

Raavanan: A peek into the mind of Indian Mythology's most flamboyant Villain

I was fully prepared to be disappointed, thanks to all the reviews being posted everywhere, describing what a bad debacle "Raavan" has been. But then my southern loyalties prevail and I decide to watch "Raavanan", to see Vikram take on the biggest role of his life, to see if the "young gun" Prithviraj can pull it off, to watch Mani Ratnam's much awaited masterpiece....and over and above to see what the director does to one of the most complex, less explored and may be most misinterpreted villains’ of our mythological heritage - the one with ten heads "Raavanan".

"Raavanan" as we know him from our grandmas' tales, is the epitome of flamboyance, ego, absolute power, sheer grit, and he is the ultimate "bad" guy. So, we learn to dislike him, and in the process exalt Ram, the warrior prince, the avatar of justice, truth, compassion and power. And then we grow up and get to see a epic being played out on the IMAX movie screens...which will question your our sensibilities and force us to revisit the epic of Ramayana from a human point of view. So, what is the movie all about :

It seems to be the story of a man governed by his passions, his love for his people, his eccentricity, and his love for disguises. But at the same he is painfully aware of his fallings, the perception the society has of him. As the movie opens, we are taken into the tribal kingdom of rain forests where "Veeriya" reigns supreme with his band of kin and outlaws. As an act of revenge (for a reason later reveled) Veeriya abducts the leading lady, Ragini, wife to the "Ram" like police officer......DEV. Chaos follows the event with lives being lost, guerilla war tactics being exercised, and in the process we see the characters for who they really are.

While this modern version of the epic demystifies the character of Raavanan "Veeriya", it is equally goes about deglorifing Rama, “Dev” in this version. Dev is the punisher who believes in achieving his goals with out an emotional attachment. While his captive wife fights her fears, maintains her dignity and faith, Dev goes about the task of finding her with a staunch face of an encounter specialist. The moment where he shows emotions are extremely fleeting, and leaves you in a confused state. Only to understand that this falls in place for the final Catharsis. Dev’s character does everything opposite to Rama, be it the lack of emotion, affinity to cruelty, integrity towards one’s enemy, refuting to unjust tactics. He is the Rama of the new era, the one who has no qualms using his wife in order to achieve his ultimate goal…Veeriya’s downfall. He is unapologetic for the rape of Veeriya’s sister by policemen, and has no hesitation in killing his brother who sought to bring peace between these warring protagonists. This is what sets Dev in contrast with Rama, the godly one.

In one of the most riveting moments in the film where Veera shows his vulnerable sides, He asks Ragini about her husband, whom she covets so much and believes, will come to her rescue…. “Does he make you laugh” asks Veera….to which Ragini nods…..the sheer beauty of the scene is when one is exposed to the pain which the character experiences in the self-realization that he can never be the “god” like man, she loves. For he shall never get someone like her to love him….for she is unattainable…he goes on to ask her “if you were not married would you stay with me”. He desperately wishes this fearless, strong willed, enticing woman to want him, as he wants her. She also in moment of desperation offers herself to him, in return to spare her husband. He hopes against hope that she will come back to him, which she eventually does, though not because of the same reasons as his thinks. She comes to validate her chastity which is being questioned by her God-like husband. The realization comes late, as Dev uses her as his means to get to Veera.

As we walk out of the theatre, we have difficulty accepting the new version of Rama, but our heart goes out to Veeriya, whom we learn to love during the period of the film. The movie scores on character sketches through out, the cinematography is superb and gives you a real taste of the mesmerizing beauty of kerala. The movie is superbly packed and does not allow you to let your guards down. But it falls short on the original screenplay as one is left high and dry by the abrupt ending. Music is not worthy of Rahman’s talent as if offers no inspiration. Overall, an amazing experience to see Vikram portray Raavanan, even if that is the one reason to go watch this saga.

in-built abuse chormosome

If IPL matches had real time voice streaming...then it would definitly be full of beeps....to block out the use of abusive language. A "accidental" bolwer (who has a hat-trick to his name this season) manages to take a wicket and the first words that come out of his "oh so talented" player's mouth --Sis*** F*****. Well done....I really wish his mother was watching the game, and could know how multi-talented her son is. Does well with his Bat & ball, as well as his "foul" tongue.
Seeing this incidents one painfully realises that "men" all over the world are genetically programmed to dish out the choicest of abuses....they dont even need an particular suitation to to do so....why is that boys are not taught to be well mannered and respectful in this country or any country.....wonder if the player has a "sister" back home....guess it would not make a difference ....because he could actually care a damnt about her honour anyway....

In a society which pampers their "sons" and treats it women like crap, I am not surprised that even public figures cant live up to their role as "role models"....young men like the above mentioned cricketer...should actually think if it is his upbringing or the sudden inflow of money, which has made him........so pathetic.

Are they questioning our sanity???

So, one of those rare days that I get the pleasure of watching "television", I decided to catch up on the current news scenario. But instead I am bombarded by the new fangled "Entertainment news reporting", which the Indian channels have recently taken to, with vengence. First up, "Aaj-Tak" (Headlines today)- Rakhi Sawant is getting hitched, dressed bridal finery, she proclaims - "I am looking for a soul-mate". The programe rambles on and on about how "men" are queing up to audition, to be part of the 15 member contingent which will vie for "Rakhi ka haath". Next up - "Star news" - War is on - for another "hand"- Shahid kapoor vs Gerald Bulter - for Priyanka Chopra - the commentry goes to state that how things have gone sour between - the new lovebirds. The reason for the fall off is the undue attentions of the "phoren" friend....The "E" reporting goes ahead in full melodrama, as I loose whatever, the little patience, which I have left in me and moved on to "greener" pastures (read HBO). I could go on and on about such "stories" but then alas! I am not talented enough to create enough drama.

But seriously, these are channels which define Indian media for us. And the quality of stories that they make just for TRP is truly and honestly "pathetic"..... the audience is taken as "nitwits"... you and I are believed to be part of the news hungry "janta" which will gulp down anything and everything these channels have to dish out. I agree that gossip sells but then just reporting news which has already appeared in the papers, which voice overs and special effects - is just lame...I wish people who make these programme, be tortured to watch their own shows, over and over again, without any breaks.....then they might get the point........