Taraana Playlist: Aug 30, 2006

1. Sky Kisses Earth:: Prem Joshua
2. Shanti

Lyrics- Salil Choudhury
3. Ni Sa Ga Ma Pa :: Yesudas:: Anand Mahal
4. Ja Re Ud Ja Re:: Lata Mangeshkar:: Maya

Lyrics- Kaifi Azmi
5. Tum Inta Jo Muskura Rahe Ho:: Jagjit Singh:: Arth
6. Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar:: Jagjit Singh:: Arth

Lyrics-- Majrooh Sultanpuri
7. Raat Akeli Hai:: Asha Bhosle:: Jewel Thief
8. Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge:: Asha Bhosle:: Mere Sanam

Lyrics- Sahir Ludhianwi
9. Jeevan Ke Safar Mein Rahi:: Kishore Kumar:: Munimji
10. Dukhi Man Mera:: Kishore Kumar:: Funtoosh

Lyrics- Makhdoom Mohinuddin
11. Phir Chhidi Raat:: Lata Mangeshkar, Talat Aziz:: Bazaar

Lyrics- Hasrat Jaipuri
12. Woh Khushi Mili Hai:: Md. Raf:: Mere Huzoor

Lyrics- Majrooh Sultanpuri
13. Wadiyan Mera Daman:: Md. Raafi:: Abhilasha

14. Surmayee Shaam:: Suresh Wadkar:: Lekin
15. Nainon Mein Badra Chhaye:: Lata Mangeshkar:: Mera Saaya
16. Rulake Gaya Sapna Mera:: Lata Mangeshkar:: Jewel Thief

This week podcasts not available. Looking forward to sharing an interview with Indian Ocean shortly.

Taraana Playlist: Aug 23, 2006

World Music by Indrajit Banerjee opens the show tonight.

Mahadeva:: Anoushka Shankar:: Rise
Beloved:: Anoushka Shankar:: Rise

Chaand Sifarish:: Shaan, Kailash Kher:: Fanaa
Mere Haath Mein:: Sonu NIgam, Sunidhi Chauhan:: Fanaa

Main Hoon Woh Aasman:: Alka Yagnik, Rafawat Ali:: Krrish
Where's the Party Tonight:: Shankar, Ehshaan, Loy:: Kabhi Alvida Na kehna

Kishore Kumar
Rim Jhim Gire Sawan:: Manzil 1971
Ina Mina Dika:: Asha 1957

Lata Mangeshkar
Satyam Shivam Sundaram:: Satyam Shivam Sundaram 1978
Bindiya Chamkegi:: Do Raaste 1969

Mohd. Rafi
Teri Bindiya Re:: Abhimaan 1973
Pukarta Chala Hoon:: Mere Sanam 1965
Madhuban Mein Radhika:: Kohinoor 1960

Asha Bhosle
Jhoote Naina:: Lekin 1990
Dum Maro Dum:: Hare Rama Hare Krishna 1971
Jawani Janeman:: Namak Halal 1982
Koi Shehri Babu:: Loafer 1972

Check back later in the day for the podcasts. Download is easy and free. Instructions on the left hand menu. Thank you for tuning in!

Politics, lies, fear and loathe ... let's talk now!

News from around the world or rather the Western part of the world in the last few days:

British holidaymakers staged an unprecedented mutiny -- refusing to allow their flight to take off until two men they feared were terrorists were forcibly removed. The extraordinary scenes happened after some of the 150 passengers on a Malaga-Manchester flight overheard two men of Asian appearance apparently talking Arabic. Passengers told cabin crew they feared for their safety and demanded police action.

On a trip back from the Middle East, Iraqi blogger and activist Raed Jarrar was not allowed to board a flight at JFK airport because he was wearing a T-Shirt that said "We will not be silent" in English and Arabic.

Two British women with young children on another flight from Spain complained about flying with a bearded Muslim even though he had been security-checked twice before boarding.

In San Francisco last week, a Canadian doctor called Ahmed Farooq, was prevented to boarding his airplane, because he was praying in his seat.

I empathize with all the people who have to go through this injustice because of their name, looks or community they belong to. Could you believe that in this age and time with all the advancements in the world- we seek so much more faith in gadgets and gizmos rather than fellow humans and human values?

Power and money, and then more of it have driven a few to commit crimes against humanity in the guise of saviors. Sometimes human beings have to make a choice between the bad and the worse- and often from where they are they cannot see very clearly. That and many other conceitful and deceitful deals between those in positions high enough have pushed the rest of the human beings to the brink of war.

With the current trend of things going on we are not far from that day when there might be a clash big enough to destroy us all. What are we getting into? We are all in self denial here. Those at the helm of affairs are fooling themselves and those that trust them to believe that they are safe or safer than before. How's that possible? Hatred, distrust and violence spawns more of the same. Maybe one day we might see complete peace and love in this world if we allow atleast two generations of human beings to grow up without any experience of war. Then they would hate none and harm none.

And, you know what would be an amazing security plan for our airports?
Banning all electronic gizmos- no cell phones, no TV screens, no I-pods, no laptops! Just the chance to chit-chat and know each other like the good 'ol times.

Taraana Playlist: Aug 16, 2006

A special programme tonight on the occasion of India's Independence Day. We had Shweta as our guest tonight. Shweta is a graduate student at Texas A&M and a budding poet. Thanks for tuning in!

Jana Gana Mana:: Various artists:: Jana Gana Mana (Album)
Azaadi:: Bose- The Forgotten Hero
Speeches by Karan Singh and Jawaharlal Nehru:: Voices of Freedom (Album)

Vande Maataram:: Various Artists and languages:: Naman (Album)
Vande Maataram:: another version from Voices of Freedom

Poetry recitation by Shweta- Shri Rabindranath Tagore's 'Where the mind is without fear'.

Aey Bharoter Mahamanobe- Recitation by Shri Rabindranath Tagore
Maa Tujhe Salaam:: AR Rahman:: Vande Maataram (Album)

De di Hamein Azaadi:: Various artsists:: Voices of Freedom (Album)
Lalkaar:: Aamir Khan and co:: Rang De Basanti

Poetry Recitation- by Shweta Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna, Ramprasad Bismil's composition

Mangal Mangal:: Kailash Kher, Sukhwinder:: Mangal Pandey- The Rising
Rang De Basanti:: Chitra, Daler Mehndi:: Rang De Basanti

Speech by Subhas Chandra Bose:: Voices of Freedom (Album)
Kadam Kadam:: Bose- The Forgotten Hero

Aisa Des Hai Mera:: Gurdas Maan and co:: Veer Zarra
Jana Gana Mana:: AR Rahman, Karthik:: Aayitha Ezhuthu
Thai Mannai Vanakkam:: AR Rahman:: Vande Maataram (Album)

Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera:: AR Rahman:: Swades
Iyam Swatantra Bharati:: Jaya Thiagarajan, Karthik Ashwin:: Bhakti Arpana (Album)

Ekla Chalo Re:: Bose- The Forgotten Hero

The podcast for this show could not be recorded due to unforseen technical errors. Next week- featuring Anoushka Shankar's 'Rise'.

Jana Gana Mana

जनगणमन अधिनायक जय हे, भारतभाग्यविधाता !
पंजाब सिंधु गुजरात मराठा द्राविड़ उत्कल बंग,
विंध्य हिमाचल यमुना गंगा उच्छलजलधितरंग,
तव शुभ नामे जागे, तव शुभ आशिश मागे,
गाहे तव जयगाथा ।
जनगणमंगलदायक जय हे, भारत भाग्य विधाता !
जय हे, जय हे, जय हे, जय जय जय, जय हे !


Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people,
dispenser of India's destiny.
Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, the Maratha country,
in the Dravida country, Utkala (Orissa) and Bengal;
It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,
it mingles in the rhapsodies of the pure waters Jamuna and the Ganges.
They chant only thy name,
they seek only thy blessings,
They sing only thy praise.
The saving of all people waits in thy hand,
thou dispenser of India's destiny.
Victory, victory, victory to thee.

Jana Gana Mana ("The Minds of All People") is the national anthem of India. Originally written in formal Bengali language, it is the first of five stanzas of a poem composed by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. First performed in 1911 during the visit of George V, Jana Gana Mana was officially adopted as the Indian national anthem in 1950.

For years this beautiful compostion has been plagued in controversy due to the fact that it was composed on the occasion of the visit of George V to India during the Indian National Congress in Calcutta (1911). But how can anyone even doubt Tagore's loyalty to the nation? In his own words he wrote to a friend-

"A certain high official in His Majesty's service, who was also my friend, had requested that I write a song of felicitation towards the Emperor. The request simply amazed me. It caused a great stir in my heart. In response to that great mental turmoil, I pronounced the victory in Jana Gana Mana of that Bhagya Vidhata [ed. God of Destiny] of India who has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George. Even my official friend understood this about the song. After all, even if his admiration for the crown was excessive, he was not lacking in simple common sense."

In short, Jana Gana Mana is addressed to God. It is not just a song, but a spiritual invocation to the Almighty in celebration of the multifaceted culture of this beautiful nation- India.

Extracted from Wikipedia [Link].

Happy Independence Day!

Today, August 15th we move on to our 60th year of Independence. Congratulations to everyone! (Image courtesy AP.)

Here is a glimpse of the President's address to the nation on the eve of the Independence Day celebration. Read the complete address here [Link].

Jai Hind!

Annu Kapoor to conduct Antakshari

Announcement:

OM Kreations in association with Catch the Rhythms, Inc is delighted to bring NRI Antakshari 2006 to Houston, TX. After the stupendous success and launch of NRI Antakshari in 2005, we are bringing the show here for us Houstonians – BIGGER & BETTER.

And of course, the one and only ANNU KAPOOR - who will enchant, mesmerize audiences with his wit, knowledge, charisma and talent. This 12 year long, popular TV series owes its popularity and high ratings to the man who brought the show to life, Annu Kapoor. Always an actor par excellence, Annu with his great voice and his ability to connect to participants and audiences has drawn thousands of viewers and fans every week. Don't miss your chance to participate and compete in front of Annu Kapoor or just enjoy a fun filled evening.

Interactive, zesty and fun filled NRI Antakshari 2006 invites all of you to participate in this unique musical event.


PARTICIPATE and get 2 tickets FREE!!

Student discounts available with ID. Contact now for more details.
Where:
TSU AUDITORIUM
3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, TX 77004

When:
Aug 25 2006 8:00PM to 11:30PM

Contact:
Phone: 832-794-6373
E-mail: OmKreations@gmail.com

Check out NRI Antakshari events in other cities:
• Toronto - August 13
• Houston - August 25
• Los Angeles - August 26
• Sunnyvale - August 27
• Vancouver - September 1
• Atlanta - September 4
• New York - September 8
• New Jersey - September 9
• Phoenix - September 10

Weblink to the NRI Antakshari website.

Blog of the week!

For a nation plagued by controversy ever since Mr Ahmadinejad took over the reins of the government- this is a big step.

The Iranian president lauched his own blog [Link] last week amidst cautious speculations in the blogger community. Mr Ahmadinejad's first entry on his blog, which is available in Persian, Arabic, English and French and includes an RSS feed to get future new entries to readers, is dated Friday.

Besides the media attention and the world opinion on this latest action by the Iranian leader, I think it would a great way to correspond one to one with him. I am sure the comments would be moderated, but here's a way to check out Mr. Ahmadinejad through our own interaction with him rather than what we are told by main stream media, specially here in America.

Mr Bush and Mr Blair have permamently hijacked the media for the whole term of their presidency. So what does that leave other leaders with? Mr. Chavez has his own television show. . The Indian president- Mr Adbul Kalam has his own official website where one can write to him [Link]. And now Mr Ahmadinejad has started blogging. What's next?

Taraana Playlist: Aug 9, 2006

Film Name- Dil Se:: Mani Ratnam
1. Chaiya Chaiya::Sapna Awasthi
2. Satrangi Re Manrangi Re:: Sonu Nigam
3. Dil Se Re Dil Se Re:: AR Rahman

Remix-
4. Laila O Laila:: Qurbani
5. Mehbooba Mehbooba:: Bally Sagoo:: Sholay
6. Chura Liya:: Bally Sagoo

Oldies-
7. Aap Jaisa Koi:: Nazia Hassan: Qurbani
8. Aao Twist Karein:: Manna Dey & Chorus:: Bhoot Bangla

9. Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon:: Banda Parwar
10. Dil Deke Dekho:: Mohd. Rafi:: Dil Deke Dekho
11. Bade Miyan Deewane Aise Na Bano:: Mohd. Rafi:: Shagird

12. Dheere Dheere Machal:: Lata Mangeshkar:: Anupama
13. Kuch Dil Ne Kaha:: Lata Mangeshkar:: Anupama
14. Raat Ke Humsafar:: Asha Bhosle:: An Evening in Paris

15. Sar Par Topi Lal:: Asha Bhosle, Mohd. Rafi:: Tumsa Nahi Dekha
16. Patli Kamar Hai:: Mukesh:: Barsaat
17. Jahan Main Jaati Hoon:: Lata Mangeshkar:: Chori Chori

18. Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kahan Ho Tum:: Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar
19. Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawanon Ka:: Balbir, Mohd. Rafi:: Naya Daur

Sorry! No podcast this week.

Taraana Playlist: Aug 2nd, 2006

Tonight we do a Mohd. Rafi special to pay respects to the all time great playback singer from Bollywood. All the songs listed here were sung by him between the 1950's and 1980. He passed away 26 years ago on 31st July 1980.

1. Din DHal Jaye:: Guide
2. O Duniya Ke Rakhwale:: Baiju Bawra
3. Main Zindagi Ka Saath:: Hum Dono - This song was dedicated to Sunil Kumar and the countless victims of the Bhopal Gas tragedy.

4. Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi:: Hum Dono
5. Aise To Na Dekho:: Teen Devian
6. Baharon Phool Barsao:: Suraj
7. Chhalke Teri Ankhon Se:: Arzoo
8. Tere Mere Sang Hain:: Guide
9. Chand Sa Roshan Chehra:: Kashmir Ki Kali
10. Yahoo! Chahe Mujhe Koi Junglee Kahe:: Junglee
11. Chalo Re Doli Uthao Kahar:: Jaani Dushman
12. Tu Is Tarah:: Aap To Aise Na The
13. Jawanian Yeh Mast Mast:: Tumsa Nahin Dekha
14. Aaj Mausam Bada Beiman Hai:: Loafer
15. Chand Mera Dil Chandni Ho Tum:: Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahi
16. Pardesion Se Na Ankhiyan Milana:: Jab Jab Phool Khile
17. Chhoo Lene Do Nazuk Honton Ko:: Kaajal

Check back later in the day for the podcasts. Download is easy and free. Instructions on the left hand menu. Thank you for tuning in!

Bhopal survivor & campaigner dies

Bhopal Survivor, Campaigner Dies of Apparent Suicide
- as reported on Democracy Now!

Sunil Kumar, a survivor and leading campaigner for victims of the 1984 Bhopal chemical gas leak, has died of an apparent suicide. Kumar founded the group Children Against Carbide, which attempted to bring the company Union Carbide, now owned by Dow Chemical, to justice. He was found dead last week wearing a t-shirt that read: “No More Bhopals.”

Goodbye, dear Sunil

BHOPAL, JULY 27, 2006

Born in Bhopal in about 1972, the son of a carpenter, he was living with his family in JP Nagar, Bhopal, across from the Union Carbide pesticide factory when the gas leak occurred. Sunil was left to care for his one and a half year old brother Sanjay and his nine year old sister Mamta. The siblings survived mostly on the generosity of neighbors, both Hindu and Muslim.

Read the whole thing ... here.

What happened on the night of 2nd/ 3rd December 1984? One of the world's worst known tragedies! Read along ...

Phil Donahue on Oreilly

Notice the sham I mentioned in my last post?

Hosts like these on National TV, assuming that we all are fools!

What do people on the street want?

See for yourself?
Mel Gibson is more important than the war in Middle East, because it has all the elements!! That's addressing an intelligent society in the 21st century?

Amy makes such a whole hearted argument! Kudos to that brave lady!

Why we fuss, why we fight?

With the Middle East crisis looming large on our faces, we've all spent some sad weeks, months and years so far. And there seems to be no end! With so many friends and acquantainces from the Middle East- it is but unnatural not to react. I have friends and have known several people from Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Egypt, Greece so far in the last six years- they all spoke different languages, they all taught us wonderful cuisines, and shared wonderful stories. I met several of their family members too, and not one of these people seemed alien!

Their mothers and fathers seemed as loving and caring as mine back in India. They themselves loved to have fun, crack jokes, make friends, play soccer, cheat at board games, debate politics and perform wonderfully at grad school. Some of them are Christians, some Muslims, some Jews, some atheists- but we've sat together, eaten together, worked together and sometimes even prayed together. What else did you expect?

Yet today we are made to believe that religion is above everything else. Religion is what defines people and communities! We are being brain washed so much and so often that we are fogetting the screen that once separated reality from fantasy. Every day I watch with disbelief as so many brilliant minds shut down their brains and believe whatever is dished to them day and night. We all understand the reality around us and yet so many of us choose to fool ourselves and not accept reality either for the love for one's own country or people they think they know better. Why do we forget that we are what we are because of our values?

Religion, language, geographical boundaries are all inventions of the conceitful human mind. Good values like love, respect and affection are innate human qualities. We demonstrated those qualities the moment we were born. Hate, jealousy, greed, violence, mistrust and manipulation were things that we picked up along the way as we thought we were 'growing up'- didn't we?

Violence is bad and horrific no matter where it came from. Understanding why someone is doing what they are doing and if nothing else- looking at things with a clear and unbiased mind and heart is what it takes to get that courage and stand up for the truth. Our governments and leaders wouldn't have the timerity to do what they are doing if we stood up for that truth. We thought they would be the voice of our nations when we elected them and put our trust in them. Look inside yourselves now and question if what you believe today is what you want to believe!

Throughout history, our leaders and rulers have always led us into fights and wars and then made us believe that we asked for it or we believe in it! Do you know why we fall for this trick again and again? Next time you want to slap another support sticker at the back of your vehicle- take a minute and think deeply ...

Let's get back to one of my favourite rants at moments like these:

Rulers of the nation, as you fuss and fight,
over who owns the soil, and who, has the right
to design, build, sell and store and fire
all the bombs and guns to defend your holy empire
there are children hungry, children sick and dying
there are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers crying... - Sara Thomsen