Playlist- Feb08, 2006; Cartoons and Kabir

Film Name- Chingari
1. Dank Maare:: Sunidhi Chauhan
2. Dulhan Dulhan:: Vijayata Pandit
3. Jab Jab Saiyyan:: Himani Kapoor
4. Kitni Sardi Kitni Garmi:: Aadesh Shrivastava

Film Name- Sun Zarra
1. Unse Nazrein Mili:: Instrumental
2. O Jaane Tere Pyar Mein:: Neeraj Giridhar
3. Dil Ki Sun Zarra:: Shreya Ghoshal, Amit Sana

Film Name- Taxi Number 9211
1. Bambai Nagariya:: Bappi Lahairi, Vishal Dadlani, Nana Patekar
2. Meter Down:: Adnan Sami

- Paathsala:: Aslam, Blaaze, Naresh Iyer:: Rang De Basanti
- Maati Kahe Kumhar Se:: Anup Jalota

The NEWS channels in the last few days have been overflowing with the cartoon controversy that started with the publication in the Danish media. As one side resorts to extreme measures, the other side is relentless in carrying on the attack- citing 'free speech rights'. Two wrongs do not make things right! Has comm0n sense failed these so called guardians of the society (I refer to the media)? Such ignorance and insensitivity from the press is unbelievable! This is not freedom of speech- this is immaturity, arrogance and irresponsibility speaking at once! Even after so much technological advancements, the human mind has not been able to expand- we are still indulging in petty self-aggrandizement tactics. What's the point? Hasn't the press got better things to do? And even after two weeks we are still so focussed on the wrong side of the issue that we fail to look within and see where we went wrong. Has the media forgotten the evergreen quote-"With freedom comes responsibility"?

I guess some people need this advice:

Aisee Vani Boliye, Mun Ka Aapa Khoye
Apna Tan Sheetal Kare, Auran Ko Sukh Hoye
(Speak such words, sans ego's ploy
That not only soothes you, it gives the listener joy)

I think that's where Kabir comes in ... I present to you more of his simple words ... his truely Universal language of love and understanding ...

Kabir:
Kabir(1440 - 1518) was an Indian mystic who preached an ideal of seeing all of humanity as one.His greatest work is the Bijak, or Seedling, an idea of the fundamental one. This collection of poems demonstrates Kabir's own universal view of spirituality. His vocabulary is constantly full of ideas regarding Brahman and Hindu ideas of karma and reincarnation, and yet he also espouses ideas that are clearly Sufi as well as Hindu Bhakti understandings of God. His Hindi was a very vernacular, straightforward kind, much like his philosophies. He often advocated leaving aside the Qur'an and Vedas and to simply follow Sahaj path, or the Simple/Natural Way to oneness in God.The major part of Kabir's work as a Sikh Bhagat was collected by the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak, and is published in the holy Sikh book "Guru Granth Sahib". - Wikipedia [Link]

An exceptional resource on Kabir's work (translated by Rabindranath Tagore): http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sok/

Compositions from Kabir's couplets we played tonight:

- Kabira Khara Bazaar Mein- A rendering of Kabir's couplets- unknown artist

Kabir's dohas (couplets):

Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Diya Kabira Roye
Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein,Sabit Bacha Na Koye

Looking at the grinding stones, Kabir laments
In the duel of wheels, nothing stays intact.

Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar, Aaj Kare So Ub
Pal Mein Pralaya Hoyegi, Bahuri Karoge Kub

Tomorrows work do today, today's work now
if the moment is lost, the work be done how

Kabira Khara Bazaar Mein, Mange Sabki Khair
Na Kahu Se Dosti, Na Kahu Se Bair

Kabira in the market place, wishes welfare of all
Neither friendship nor enmity with anyone at all [More dohas]

The last tune we played tonight ...
- Garden of Dreams(Madhu Malati):: Ali Akbar Khan:: Garden of Dreams

Next week: Tune in for a Valentine's Day special!