Book

Just finished A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving) last night.

The prolific nature and frenetic pace of my reading has been instrumental in desensitising me to most of the books I read nowdays....rarely does a book impact me - make me pause, think & feel - the way this one did. Disturbing, yes. But disturbing because it forced me to look at myself, something which I avoid doing nowdays. Disturbing because it made me acknowledge what was missing.

It was a book about love and faith, both of which I believe go hand in hand. Faith is not just a matter of religious beliefs, about whether one believes in miracles or not - did Moses make the sea part? did Ravana have 10 heads which Ram cut off? etc.etc.
One cannot love without faith. Whoever loves, he also "believes". Thats what this book reminded me. More than the crappy Nicholas Sparks mush.

I am also reading William Dalrymple's City of Djinns. A compelling, albeit amateur, view of Delhi.

Hence, these days I am indulging in 2 elements which used to be a permanent feature once upon a time - the love/faith concept ; and a sense of history.

Unni would be glad.

Songs

Some of my all time favorite Hindi romantic numbers....

"Yeh Vaada Raha" - a smile on your face, mischief in your eyes, sunshine all around, the kind of song that is 'our song'!

"Bahon Ke Darmiyan" - slow, deep bliss ; being a part of one another ; whats there on your face? Is it the rain or tears?

"Jab koi baat..." - a pleasing tune, easily hummable. simple, poetic lyrics that dont make you stretch. sung with a slight smile and genuine emotion

"Woh pehli baar.." - sheer exuberance of first love, all the ecstacy without the pain

I dont know why I am posting now, especially now when I am in the middle of a tense, harrowing day. Or maybe thats the reason.