I think it's incredible the way you write each and every sentence as if it's the most important one; there is such care and poetry in literally every moment of this.
I used "Main Aisa Kyun Hu, main aisa kyun hu, aisa kyun hu..." as a prompt for the final essay in a Memoir course I taught last year. Students embraced it and let it flow!
This is a beautiful piece. There's stillness yet motion in your writing. Each sentence gives the necessary pause, but doesn't forget what it's meant to do - push the narrative forward. No word or sentence overstays its welcome.
The essay will take every reader to forage for their own songs. Songs that once provided the anchor when it was much needed. But slowly made way for newer tracks, or newer us.
Your substack is a space that does exactly what the title says. Offer a big bowl of creativity & resilience.
Music definitely offers insights into the characters within us—ones we can now hear and see reflected outside ourselves. It’s fascinating to observe! Thank you for this piece and for bringing music into such a revealing perspective.
For Hindi songs: I’ve watched some of the movies you shared, and as for the songs, I’ll revisit them. The Hindi songs that come to mind are "Channa Mereya" (I’ve watched Ae Dil Hai Mushkil way too many times), "Mar Jawaan" and "Kuch Khaas" "fashion Ka jalwa" from Fashion (I rewatched it a few weeks ago and listened to these nonstop), and "Aayat" from Bajirao Mastani, which holds a deep connection for me. Each of these songs moved me with the stories they embody, resonating at different times with emotions I needed to explore. Bonus: "Maara & Paaru" in Maara uplifted me with its take on kismat—and the list goes on...
For other songs: "What does it mean to be free?" by Thomas Azier healed my longing for freedom during my younger years (I even wrote a short piece about it). "The Universe Is Always Right" by Hayden Thorpe feels like a reminder from above, and "La Roue Tourne" by Benjamin Biolay is like a reassuring pat on the back about life.
Thank you so much Keva. Your comments always make my day. The songs you mentioned have such a range! Love how you have told a story with each song. Looking forward to listening to all of them. 💘
For me songs have been my best companions since childhood. Whether it is success or failure, friendship or romanticism, lifting my own spirits or asking support from the higher spirits, there is a song for every ocassion and every emotion.
Be it Kabhi khamosh baithoge by Jagjit Singh or Perfect by Ed Sheeran, they are always around to comfort my hears, heart and my soul.
Uff thank you so much. Your comment and the songs it included made me feel quite grateful. "asking support from the higher spirits" - now that is an essay I am dying to read.
Oh Raju Tai! This is so beautifully simple and yet so layered! That line on choosing authentic expression over technical perfection must be a daily reminder for so many of us. Thank you, teacher :)
I would recommend two songs and I've written about it, already. Do kindly check on my page whenever you find the time. I'll DM the links if you wish to read.
1. Don McLean's - Vincent
2. Frizell D'Souza's - Paintbrushes in the ground.
PS: glad to connect here after many years. Keep going!
I think it's incredible the way you write each and every sentence as if it's the most important one; there is such care and poetry in literally every moment of this.
Thank you, Sarah, for seeing that and showing it to me. It is amusing how much underestimate our depths.💜
Lovely, beautiful, empowering, happy-making list, Raju!
I used "Main Aisa Kyun Hu, main aisa kyun hu, aisa kyun hu..." as a prompt for the final essay in a Memoir course I taught last year. Students embraced it and let it flow!
Yay! Thank you, Natasha. 💖
Beautiful
Thank you, Srilatha 💛💙
This is a beautiful piece. There's stillness yet motion in your writing. Each sentence gives the necessary pause, but doesn't forget what it's meant to do - push the narrative forward. No word or sentence overstays its welcome.
The essay will take every reader to forage for their own songs. Songs that once provided the anchor when it was much needed. But slowly made way for newer tracks, or newer us.
Your substack is a space that does exactly what the title says. Offer a big bowl of creativity & resilience.
Wow!! Thank you, this is a superstrong dose of encouragement and I feel like acting on it asap!! 💛🥰
Thank you for the way you witnessed it. 💙
Lovely! Can't wait to listen to the songs.. in the meantime I will be thinking of my own anthems for my creative expression :)
Yay! Would lovvve to know at least one or two of these anthems, Danika. Thank you for reading. 💜💜
Acceptance song:
Neurodivergent rage: Dhunki mere brother ki dulhan
Especially the lines
Gira deevare laga narkaare
Ishq di masti te vich sove te jaage
Wow! Saakshi, had never heard the song in that way. Thank you for sharing. 💜 And "Neurodivergent rage" is an epic phrase.
Music definitely offers insights into the characters within us—ones we can now hear and see reflected outside ourselves. It’s fascinating to observe! Thank you for this piece and for bringing music into such a revealing perspective.
For Hindi songs: I’ve watched some of the movies you shared, and as for the songs, I’ll revisit them. The Hindi songs that come to mind are "Channa Mereya" (I’ve watched Ae Dil Hai Mushkil way too many times), "Mar Jawaan" and "Kuch Khaas" "fashion Ka jalwa" from Fashion (I rewatched it a few weeks ago and listened to these nonstop), and "Aayat" from Bajirao Mastani, which holds a deep connection for me. Each of these songs moved me with the stories they embody, resonating at different times with emotions I needed to explore. Bonus: "Maara & Paaru" in Maara uplifted me with its take on kismat—and the list goes on...
For other songs: "What does it mean to be free?" by Thomas Azier healed my longing for freedom during my younger years (I even wrote a short piece about it). "The Universe Is Always Right" by Hayden Thorpe feels like a reminder from above, and "La Roue Tourne" by Benjamin Biolay is like a reassuring pat on the back about life.
Thank you so much Keva. Your comments always make my day. The songs you mentioned have such a range! Love how you have told a story with each song. Looking forward to listening to all of them. 💘
I miss some of your posts, but when one stands out I always enjoy the writing and voyage. Thank you!
They are deep songs for some, let me know which one resonated the most 🌞.
Love this Raju!!
💜 Thank you, Kuhu! So happy to be read by you.
Such a fun piece to read. I would love to have such a conversation about songs of acceptance with my close friends now.
Thank you Abhishek! Would love to know how that conversation goes..which songs have done the work of self acceptance for you. 💜
Beautifully expressed Raju Tai!
For me songs have been my best companions since childhood. Whether it is success or failure, friendship or romanticism, lifting my own spirits or asking support from the higher spirits, there is a song for every ocassion and every emotion.
Be it Kabhi khamosh baithoge by Jagjit Singh or Perfect by Ed Sheeran, they are always around to comfort my hears, heart and my soul.
Uff thank you so much. Your comment and the songs it included made me feel quite grateful. "asking support from the higher spirits" - now that is an essay I am dying to read.
Oh Raju Tai! This is so beautifully simple and yet so layered! That line on choosing authentic expression over technical perfection must be a daily reminder for so many of us. Thank you, teacher :)
Thank YOU Sanobar jaan. For this long conversation we are in.💜💜
I would recommend two songs and I've written about it, already. Do kindly check on my page whenever you find the time. I'll DM the links if you wish to read.
1. Don McLean's - Vincent
2. Frizell D'Souza's - Paintbrushes in the ground.
PS: glad to connect here after many years. Keep going!
I’m so glad too, Amit 🌸🌸 Please do share the link. I’ll listen to the songs. 💚
Shared. Check at leisure.