Taraana Playlist: July 26, 2006

1. Sri Jagadeshwari Durga:: Soumya Muralidharan:: Dancing with Durga
2. Jaga Janani Ma:: Same as above

3. Parulanna Mata:: U Shrinivas [Link]:: from Sangeet Sartaj (What is a Mandolin? Read more)
4. Warriors in Peace:: A R Rahman:: Warriors of Heaven & Earth [Link]

Review of Omkara [Link], being released July 28th:
5. Beedi:: Sunidhi Chauhan, Sukhwinder Singh
6. Omkara:: Sukhwinder Singh
7. O Saathi Re:: Vishal Bhardwaj, Shreya Ghoshal
8. Naina:: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

9. Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaye:: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan:: Kalyug
10. Kajra Re:: Bubli Aur Bunty
11. Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo:: Farida Khanum:: Monsoon Wedding

12. Main Vari Vari:: Kavita Krishnamurthy, Reena:: Mangal Pandey- The Rising
13. Gaate The Pehle Akele:: Kavita Krishnamurty, Shraddha, Khusum:: Khamoshi

14. Man Phoola Phoola:: Sri Kumar Mardur:: Kabir's bhajan [Lyrics and translation link]
15. Poocho Na Kaise:: Manna Dey:: Meri Surat Teri Aankhen

A partial podcast (about 1.5 hrs) of the show will be available tomorrow. For podcasting instructions, click on the top left menu.

Thanks to all the listeners and well wishers for their generous pledges during the KEOS summer fund drive! Donations can be made at any time by visiting the KEOS website.

Logic lessons for B schools

Sometimes knowledge comes from the most unexpected quarters of the society. Sometimes B schools and marketing gurus are not the best sources to take cues for business.

The 'dabba-walas' of Mumbai have not only been giving business lessons to the needy but also helping solving complex mathematical problems! Optimization techniques and sorting procedures have been ubiquitous to the success stories of the 5000 dabba-walas of Mumbai. Dabba-walas are the lunch delivery guys in Mumbai who have operated in the city for over a hundredyears now and are an inseparable identity in Mumbai's history. They pick up the lunch boxes from homes and deliver it to the office-goers in their respective offices. They also coordinate and communicate with fellow delivery guys to create an efficient system.

They are so efficient that you might just find one mistake in 16 million lunch deliveries! The efficiency and punctuality of the tiffin carriers in the city has become the subject of study in business schools and industry associations. They have created an efficient yet simple system of coding their deliverables by marking the point of origin and destination of the lunch boxes, inlcuding the building and floor they are headed for. Look at the attached flow logic diagram. Read more on BBC. [Link]

Prince Charles has recognized this community several times during his visits to India. He was benevolent enough to invite two lunch-box carriers he met on one of his trips to attend his wedding- all expense paid. Now the 'dabba-walas' have their own website- thanks to one enterprising and kind software engineer. Read up more about them and even check out the power point presentation unraveling their business secret: mydabbawala.com Link.

No computers- no technology- no private motor vehicle- no wastage- no pollution- and no hassle- just 100% customer satisfaction! Pretty interesting huh?

Taraana Playlist: July 19th, 2006

Last evening's live performance by 'Dhwani'. [Link]

1. Mitwa (Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna: Shafqat Amanat Ali, Shankar Mahadevan)
Vishal, Chorus: Katherine, Nethra, Vichika, Amnaya
2. Zara Zara (Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein: Bombay Jayashree)
Nethra, Chorus: Katherine, Vichika
3. Piyu boley (Parineeta: Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan)
Mayank Lal, Nethra
4. Pari hoon main (Talaash: Suneeta Rao)
Katherine
5. Raam karey aisa ho jaaye (Milan: Mukesh)
Amnaya
6. Western Instrumental (Eric Johnson, Victory)
Instrumentalists.
7. Tera mera pyaar sanam (Album HAWA MEIN UDATI JAAYE : Bombay Vikings)
Aswin, Katherine,Stephen
8. Voh Pehli Baar Jab Ham Miley (Indian Idol 2)
All singers
9. Intehaan Ho Gayee Intezar Ki (Sharabi: Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle)
Mayank Lal, Nethra
10. Roobaroo (Rang De Basanti: A.R. Rehman, Naresh Iyyer)
Vishal, Amnaya, Aswin Chorus: Katherine, Nethra, Vichika,Stephen

The instrumentalists are :
1. Rahul on Drums
2. Aswin, Gabriel, Vishal and Mayank on Guitar,
3. Amnaya and Stephen on Keyboard

Dhwani's Feedback

Gabriel: Lead guitarist, Dhwani

Thanks very very much for having us on to play.It was a great experience for all of us, everyone's really happy. Thanks also to Anand, and also Glen. He made us sound great! I know we messed up some parts, but it turned out really nice.I know I speak for everyone else when I say thanks very much for the opportunity to play. Thanks to Archana and Ragha too; wish Deepak could have caled in also!

Amnaya: Vocals, Keyboard, Dhwani

The program was a wonderful retreat for us. I never heard ourselves sounding so good. Sure it was Glen's part that deserves the cheer, but it woudn't haven't been possible without your vision. It's late in the night, and I can't pull myself away from the podcast. Thanks for bringing us there!

Vishal: Vocals, Dhwani

Today evening was truely amazing ... we guys were up all the night just listening to the songs. I needn't repeat what the Gabriel and Amnaya emailed you from the side of the whole group!
Thanks for letting us perform there ... it was simply a mesmerizing experience!

Pictures from the Evening
Vishal's pictures ...[Link]

Podcast!!
The podcast of this show is now available. Please click on the update button on the right in itunes (podcast section) if you have already subscribed (it's free!) to the podcast. To start a subscription, click here for instructions.

This show is one of a kind! We are as happy doing this as you are listening to it! Support us with your generous pledges. Wherever you are listening to this from- we urge you to make a donation at any time, either by going to the website www.keos.org or by just calling our station at 979.779.KEOS and making your pledge effortlessly. Thank you!

Pink Floyd PULSE on KEOS 89.1 FM

PULSE: PINK FLOYD LIVE FROM EARL'S COURT

This new 90-minute music intensive special celebrates the release of Pulse, Pink Floyd's new live double-DVD set, in stores from Columbia Records on July 11, 2006.

Hosted by Ken Dashow (WAXQ - New York, NY).

Pink Floyd plays some of their biggest classics live, as recorded during a 14-night stand at London's Earl's Court in 1994.

Band members David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright recall these performances from Pink Floyd's last world tour through brand-new, exclusive comments recorded for this special. Floyd's longtime art director, Storm Thorgerson, also provides rare insights.

The new 2-DVD reissue of Pulse features more than four hours of content - the full 1994 concert, the films used as a backdrop during the shows, Pink Floyd's induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1996, and a feature called "Bootlegging The Bootleggers" that uses material shot from the audience.

KEOS Hosting details:

• Where: KEOS 89.1 FM, College Station& Bryan.
• When: July 20th, 6am (Eclectic Coffee House) , 7pm (Blue Biscuit)
• Hosts: Eclectic Coffee House- Clefty & Radioactive Ray | Blue Biscuit- Mark Purcell
• Length: 90 Minutes with breaks for local spots

It's our Summer Fund Drive!!

Money it's a crime ... share it fairly ....

... see you on the Dark Side of the Moon.

Live performance by 'Dhwani' on Taraana!

Tonight!
Where: KEOS 89.1 FM studios
When: Wednesday July 19th, 2006. 7-9pm
Hosts: Radioactive Ray & Clefty

Tune in to 89.1 FM- "The left end of the dial done right!"

Queries/ Suggestions: radioactiveray@gmail.com
or call 979-779-KEOS during the show.

Dhwani: The Indian Student Music Ensemble at TAMU. Weblink.
Check back for the Podcast later!!

Wish You Were Here

Wish who was here?
Syd Barrett of course! The album (1975, original cover image on the left) is largely a tribute to Pink Floyd's former guitarist and chief songwriter Syd Barrett. Syd Barrett slipped into seclusion and left the group in the early 70s.

Roger Keith "Syd" died recently on 7th July. This Thursday July 20th, KEOS studios pay tribute to this musical genius and celebrate the evergreen success of the Pink Floyd. Join us this week at 6am on KEOS 89.1 FM to listen to an hour and half of Pink Floyd special. This music-laden special celebrates the release of Pink Floyd's double-DVD "P.U.L.S.E. Live At Earl's Court London" set, mostly derived from their 14-night stand at London's Earl's Court in 1994. The special is hosted by Ken Dashow of WAXQ-FM, NY, NY.

What is common between the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Cliff Richard and The Shadows?
They all recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios at some point of time.

Did you know that the Pink Floyd had timeless messages for us all in their ever famous albums?
The Dark Side of the Moon deals conceptually with the pressures of modern life that can drive normal human beings to insanity: materialism, the increased pace of life and travel, the encroachment of old age and death, the inhumanities of society and armed conflict. These themes are not just delivered with words, but are suggested with sounds and lyrics. It also deals with the issues surrounding a normal person's life, such as time, greed, conflict, travel, mental illness, and death.

The Wall: Roger Waters was inspired to create the album during a concert on 6 July, 1977 on the final night of the tour to promote Animals, dubbed Pink Floyd — In the Flesh. In Montreal, a fan's disruptive behaviour resulted in Waters spitting in the fan's face. Waters was immediately disgusted with himself, and his alienation from his fans urged him to build a wall between himself and the audience, an idea which later evolved into the album.

Information extracted from Wikipedia. [Link]

This Thursday 20th July, tune in to the Eclectic Coffee House [Link] at 6am on 89.1 FM to wake up to tune of the "Division Bell", or tune in again at 7pm the same night to be "Comfortably Numb'ed" by the Pink Floyd.

A regular podcast of the Thursday morning Eclectic Coffee House on KEOS is now available and can be accessed by following this link.

Now, web policing in India!

I cannot believe my eyes. Found this on Boing Boing [Link]:

India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) passed an order to ISPs Friday to block several websites. The list is confidential. Indian ISPs have been slowly coming into compliance. SpectraNet, MTNL, Reliance, and as of Monday afternoon, Airtel. State-backed BSNL and VSNL have not started yet but likely will soon. The known list of blocked domains is *.blogspot.com, *.typepad.com and geocities.com/*. Read more ...

Over and over again, we are seeing across the world how inept and unscrupulous governments are undermining the voice of their own citizens- the very people who put them up there. Where they could take one step forward and do some real work for their people, they take two steps backward and begin opening these ugly cans of worms! I really cannot believe this is happening in our country! I was proud to have a President and a Prime Minister who came from such illustrious backgrounds. But over and over again they have dissappointed the nation! I guess- courage to stand up for the right thing would likely be the thing they need a lot more ...

Update: There is still a lot of confusion on what's happening on this front. For the latest follow this link on the wiki [Link]. This email group has also been setup by some bloggers [Link].

India Uncut says ... [Link]
Mutiny says ... [Link]

It's been knocking on our doors, and soon it will be unavoidable- who should and how should the web be monitored or regulated? Where do we start and where do we stop? And does that stop just there or are we going to take lessons from our Big Brother and start spying on our citizens? As for the web, just like every thing good, we've got to deal with it's side-effects too.

Aamir speaks out against Mumbai terror

I was in Satara when I heard about the blasts.

I was shocked and immediately tried to get in touch with Mumbai, but just could not get through - all the lines were blocked.

Read the full story on BBC [Link].

It is very important that key people in the society take a position in such instances of lawlessness. Aamir has always proved himself a very responsible human being. Millions of people out on the streets find their strengths in others- they often live in a fantasy world emulating Bollywood stars in their limited mundane activities.

I wish more well known figures and leaders came out and expressed themselves on such occasions thereby setting a good example for their millions of followers. This does not have to be only in religion and politics only- Bollywood stars are leaders in their own account. They can either choose to let their fans dwell in their reel-life fantasies or show them some glimpses of heroism in real life.

Update: Here's more action that found it's way into the Times of India. Bollywood stars voice their feelings. Photo courtesy TOI. And, here's how an artist is doing his bit. Sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik. Photo courtesy TOI.

KEOS Summer Fund Drive Special

Donate Now!! Secure online donation.

KEOS Summer Fund Drive is underway! KEOS 89.1 FM is the only all-volunteer, non-commercial community radio station in the Brazos Valley.

Fund drives are the primary means of raising money to run KEOS, and we need YOU ... with no advertising, we rely on our listeners to help us continue to bring great quality programs and live performances to the Brazos Valley.

Wherever you are, if you believe in Independent Media- we need your support! If you haven't done this before, there cannot be a better time than now! Independent voices such as ours will survive only through YOUR support! Go ahead and make this radio station yours! Donate Now! Thank you so much!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A special announcement as part of the Fund Drive:

Live performance by 'Dhwani' on Taraana
Where: KEOS 89.1 FM studios
When: Wednesday July 19th, 2006. 7-9pm
Hosts: Radioactive Ray & Clefty

'Dhwani' (means Sound) is a group of grad students from India at TAMU performing light Indian and Western music. The group comprises of several vocalists and a variety of instrumentalists due to which they perform music of varied flavor. The band came into being in 2000, when a few musically minded enthusiasts decided to group together. Since then, the troupe has undergone fresh revisions of style and flavor. With new students undertaking this musical endeavour on campus every year, the spirit of Dhwani expresses it's splendor in various cultural programs on campus, including Milan (India Association's new students welcome), I-Week, 'Association of India's Development' programs to name a few. Dhwani has also participated in the fund drive for causes like Tsunami Relief .

Dhwani participates in cultural and devotional programs organized in the Hindu Temple at Navasota and St. Mary's Catholic Church at North Gate. But this is just India exclusive; lately Dhwani has also attempted to incorporate talents from non-Indian students in their programs too. Dhwani welcomes both students as well as non-students to be a part of the spirit.

Taraana Playlist: July 12, 2006

It's our Summer Fund Drive! Click here to redirect to an easy and secure online donation.
Thank you to all the listeners who tuned in tonight and all of you who made pledges! Your donation for such an endeavour like this is going towards to transforming society!

Podcast!!
The podcast of this show is now available. Please click on the update button on the right in itunes (podcast section) if you have already subscribed to the podcast. To start a subscription, click here for instructions.

This show is one of a kind! We are as happy doing this as you are listening to it! Support us with your generous pledges. Wherever you are listening to this from- we urge you to make a donation at any time, either by going to the website www.keos.org or by just calling our station at 979.779.KEOS and making your pledge effortlessly. Thank you!

Playlist

Tonight's playlist is as follows:
1. Made In India:: Alisha Chinai
2. Ishq Da Rutba:: Nusrat Fateh Ali:: Kartoos
3. Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai:: Shreya Ghoshal:: Jism
4. Khamosh Raat:: Roopkumar Rathod:: Thakshak
5. Papa Kehtein Hain:: Udit Narayan:: Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
6. Mairi:: Euphoria
7. Bachke Rehna Re Baba::
8. Raat Saari:: Alka Yagnik:: Zakhm
9. Mitwa::Rafaqat Ali, Shankar Mahadevan, Caralisa:: Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna
10. Aham Brahma Asmi:: Alka Yagnik, Sukhwinder Singh:: Kisna
11. Salaam Namaste:: Kunal Ganjawala, Vasundhara Das:: Salaam Namaste
12. Chinnama Chilakkama:: Sukhwinder Singh:: Meenaxi- A Tale of 3 cities
13. Rang De:: Asha Bhosle:: Thakshak

Tune in next week for a live performance by Dhwani- the Indian music band at Texas A&M!

We are bombed not beaten!

Yet another dastardly act and loss of so many innocent lives. People who commit such attrocities cannot be considered humans, let alone be associated to any religion! For, religion does not teach inflicting pain on your own. The less attention payed to those creatures the better for this civilization. But they do need our help to show them the difference between right and wrong.

The spirit of Mumbai! Adversary brings them closer, and that's what was visible last night. The bombs on the trains did not differentiate in terms of demography and religion when they struck. And, love and concern poured from all corners of the society bringing the community closer instead of driving a wedge between sections of the society. I know the people of Mumbai will find the strength in themselves to heal and move on. One survivor remarked 'We are bombed not beaten!' I salute the indomitable spirit of Mumbai!

Somebody I know has always advised that every soul on this earth is nothing but love- some understand it and express it the right way, but so many among us sometimes get it twisted. The same element of love (for something) is being expressed in the form of hatred, jealousy and violence (towards something else).

Be it New York, Madrid, Baghdad, Gaza or Mumbai, something is not right the way we are operating. We have been able to spread more hate, fear and loathe between mankind than peace and contentment. To the common man what matters most is a house to stay, some food to eat and a family to share his love with. War fosters more war. Love I believe is the one and only solution to all these problems we face today, not war.

Images from AFP and the Urdu times. More in depth news on BBC. [Link]

Monoacting redefined!

The podcast of yesterday's Taraana is now available. Please click on the update button on the right in itunes (podcast section) if you have already subscribed to the podcast. To start a subscription, click here for instructions.

There are some characters in this world who have the ability to touch others even without making a physical contact. Sometimes, just their voice can be enough to draw one to them, to fall in love with them. What follows is the story of one such character ...

A few months back a friend introduced me to an audio recording on Kabeer. Unfortunately this happened to be a copy of the original and had been passed around without the titling and credits. The monoacting on the tape was excellent, and I listened to it several times- I hadn't heard of another artist who could re-create someone else's life so realistically just by his voice! Several months of hunting around yielded no results, as I still didn't know who this talented artist on the tape was. One day, almost six months later I came across an audio cd on Swami Vivekananda at a relative's place. As I listened to it, I realized the voice on the cd was nobody but the same person who had created the Kabeer tape. I finally discovered Shekhar Sen!

Shekhar Sen has proved himself as a talented singer, music composer, lyricist and actor. Born and brought up in a Bengali family of Raipur M.P. He was fortunate to learn music from his parents Dr. Arun Kumar Sen & Dr. Aneeta Sen renowned classical singers of Gwalior Gharana & Musicologists.

Shekhar established himself as a singer with a different style by singing the medieval poets like Raskhan, Raheem, Lalitkishori, Bhooshan Bihari & many more. To his credit, he has done more than 1000 shows all over the world, released more than 165 cassettes & CD’s as singer, composer & lyricist.

He composed music in many TV serials like Shiv Mahapuran, Geeta Rahasya, Parivaar, Dhadkan etc. & given playback in the famous serial Ramayan. He then invented a new style in the field of entertainment. His monoact musical plays “Goswami Tulsidas” & “Kabeer” created history. The quest never ends, Therefore as a true representative of Indian culture Shekhar is proceeding ahead in search of new horizons.
- From www.shekharsen.com/

Shekhar Sen travels widely across the globe performing as Kabeer, Tulsidas and Swami Vivekananda. Visit his website [Link] to check out some excerpts of his performances, as well as get in touch with him for his audio cds.

Listen to a small excerpt here:


Article on The Hindu. [Link]
Article on Hindustan Times. [Link]

Taraana Playlists: July 5th, 2006

The podcast of this show is now available. Please click on the update button on the right in itunes (podcast section) if you have already subscribed to the podcast. To start a subscription, click here for instructions.

Opening piece and background music: Violin recital by Dr. Smt. N Rajam [Link]

Windows:: Krishna Das, Sultan Khan:: A drop of the Ocean
Excerts from Swami Vivekananda's lectures at the World Parliament of Religions

Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna:: Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam:: Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna
Tumhi Dekho Na:: Alka Yagnik, Sonu NIgam:: Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna

Main Hoon Woh Aasman:: Alka Yagnik, Safaqat Ali:: Krrish
Koi Tumsa Nahin:: Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam:: Krrish

Chaand Sifarish:: Shaan, Kailash Kher:: Fanaa

A sample from the life of Vivekananda:: Monoacting by Shekhar Sen [Read more about him in the post above]

Ab Kya Socha:: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

To The Fourth of July

Swami Vivekananda was received well at the 1893 World Parliament of Religions [Link] in Chicago, Illinois, where he delivered a series of lectures. He also earned wild applause for beginning his address with the famous words, "Sisters and brothers of America." He breathed his last on July 4th, 1902. Tune in tomorrow to 'Taraana' [Link] on KEOS 89.1FM for a special program on Vivekananda.

Swami Vivekananda[Link], moved by the spirit of America's Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1898, wrote a poem titled:

To The Fourth Of July

Behold, the dark clouds melt away,
That gathered thick at night, and hung
So like a gloomy pall above the earth!
Before thy magic touch, the world
Awakes. The birds in chorus sing.
The flowers raise their star-like crowns-
Dew-set, and wave thee welcome fair.

The lakes are opening wide in love
Their hundred thousand lotus-eyes
To welcome thee, with all their depth.

All hail to thee, thou Lord of Light!
A welcome new to thee, today,
O sun! today thou sheddest LIBERTY!
Bethink thee how the world did wait,
And search for thee, through time and clime.

Some gave up home and love of friends,
And went in quest of thee, self banished,
Through dreary oceans, through primeval forests,
Each step a struggle for their life or death;

Then came the day when work bore fruit,
And worship, love, and sacrifice,
Fulfilled, accepted, and complete.
Then thou, propitious, rose to shed
The light of FREEDOM on mankind.

Move on, O Lord, on thy resistless path!
Till thy high noon o'erspreads the world.
Till every land reflects thy light,
Till men and women, with uplifted head,
Behold their shackles broken, and
Know, in springing joy, their life renewed!

To The Fourth Of July
by Swami Vivekananda
Contributed by: Mukesh H. Mehta

(From The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol5 Page 440.)

Do Pyaase Dil

Check out this song and pl post your comments:



Artist: Archana
Event: SPICMACAY event 2005
Original song by: Talat Aziz (only saw it at raaga.com)

Peaceful Warrior- a motivational film

Based on a book by Dan Millman, Peaceful Warrior is a story about the power of mind and spirit. It was released recently in select theatres. Watch the trailer.

Synopsis

Dan Millman (Scott Mechlowicz) is a talented college gymnast with Olympic dreams. He has it all: trophies, teammates, fast motorcycles, fast girls and wild parties. Then Dan's world is turned upside down when he meets a mysterious stranger he calls Socrates (Nick Nolte), who holds the power to tap into new worlds of strength and understanding. After a serious injury, with the help of Socrates and an elusive young woman named Joy (Amy Smart), Dan discovers that he has much to learn and even more to leave behind before he can become a peaceful warrior and find his destiny. This moving tale about the power of the human spirit is based on Dan Millman's best-selling autobiographical novel, Way of the Peaceful Warrior.

Reaction

A beautifully crafted and enormously entertaining film that speaks to the strength and resiliency of the human spirit. Peaceful Warrior offers a powerful, yet rare glimpse, into the human soul. It reminds us what we are made of, reconnecting us to the power that lies within so that we feel and embrace it. See this film and it will impact the course of your life forever.
- Tony Robbins, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER & AUTHOR

It may often seem like an extra-pretentious Karate Kid for grown-ups, but Warrior's soul lessons go much deeper, to universally vital places.
- Bob Strauss, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS

The What The Bleep Do We Know? crowd may well receive the film's wisdom like communion, but the rest of us are free to gag when Salva tries to jam it down our throats.
-Scott Tobias, ONION AV CLUB