Amit Trivedi

The first time I heard Amit Trivedi was through the song 'Ek Lau' from the movie Aamir. It was haunting & melodic. As Shilpa Rao crooned the song, I developed goose pimples and felt chills rush through my blood. Obviously, Amitabh Varma's lyrics formed a crucial role in creating this beautiful musical piece. I was soon curious and started listening to the other tracks from Aamir. I discovered that even though this album was not exactly ground-breaking or a complete deviation from the masses, it had something. I could not place my finger on it, but it did not sound like the usual Bollywood album. It had an intensity, a refreshing sound. However, I did underrate the man behind the music. I thought he would turn out to be a one-hit wonder, joining those innumerable people who do not last inspite of producing 'hits' as we call it. 'Ek Lau' wasn't exactly a hit, but you could not forget this soulful piece easily.

I heard him again through the musical journey of Dev D. The most popular track 'Emotional Attyachaar' (Band Version) doesn't exactly do justice to the album. Yes! this song did bring out a new catch phrase to our generation, and acts out well as per the situation in the movie, but you cannot exactly relax or go for a drive listening to it. Most of the songs stay true to the movie's theme - Young Love. But each song is treated differently and has a unique style. Some of my favourites include 'Dhol Yara Dhol' which represents the first love's anticipation in a folk style; 'Payaliya' in a semi-classical style exemplifying the thoughts of a young girl in love; 'Pardesi' talks about the addiction of well, love in a folk-electro fusion; 'Nayan Tarse' depicting the search for love in  semi-rock flavour; 'Saali Khushi' in a whimsical mood which reflects depression. Other tracks are also good enough to be etched onto your memory if not as impressive as the favourites.

He did not let me down again when I heard 'Iktara' from Wake Up Sid. A simple composition in Kavitha Seth's mesmerising & unique voice relaxes you and takes you to new places...

I think the main reason I have enjoyed all his songs is - It's very much Indian. I mean I am a MUSIC fanatic & enjoy all kinds of genres across the world. But its refreshing to listening to a hindi soundtrack that is not trying too hard... Be it folk, classical, easy listening or rock there are no extra beats, no pretence... Just honest, simple and unquestionably addictive music. Hope he doesn't get swept by peer pressure & resort to making only commercially viable songs (I mean the man after all has to eat). I am looking forward to hearing some more refreshing sounds and compositions from this new kid on the block...

PS: Go check him out & make up your own mind :)

Desperation...

It is late into the night and he has just finished his shift. Just as he is wrapping things up and getting ready to go home, he sees her. He plans to ignore her and carry on, but he doesn't want to seem rude in case she has seen him. So he goes over and says hi. She looks over at him returning his courtesy. He recognises the look. The same look he has been seeing in her eyes for a few months now. He understands... Understands that she likes him... a lot...

He likes her too, but just not enough. Atleast not in the way she wants him to. He likes spending time with her. She is someone with whom he could have interesting conversations, talk about anything and everything, just hang out and be himself. But nothing more... He knows he would never be attracted to someone like her, someone who is that smart, someone with her values. He knows he is twisted, he needs a physical relationship more than anything else. He knows he should let her go; make it clear that there can be nothing between them. But he is also selfish... and weak... He knows he would miss her... miss her presence... So he makes her wait... Taking advantage of her... Never clearing the air, always giving her hope that maybe... maybe it could be something...

And She... she knows he would never want her. Not the way she has seen him with his exes. Him rejecting her the first time made that clear. But she can't get over him, can't forget him, can't give up hope. So she is thankful, thankful for the moments she gets to spend with him, even if it hurts like hell... She would be there waiting for him... Giving up the rest of her life to wait upon when he would call her, message her, need her in any small way... She would leave behind the people who really care for her, causing a rift among friends and family. Not caring... cause all she knows right now is her bleeding heart... Her craving for his Love... And that's all that matters right now...

My First...

It was early morning on the first day of college. I had met a couple of people during the admissions day with whom I had bonded well. We had decided to sit together for the classes. I was waiting for my soon to be friends at the entrance of the Science Buildings...

I was looking around to make sure I hadn't missed anyone. And that's when I saw him. He stood on top of the stairs of one of the building's entrance. He did not look like a freshman, but looked much more senior. He stood tall at around 6 ft with broad shoulders and wore a casual checked shirt with jeans. He was not classically handsome but definitely attractive. As he scanned the crowd, our eyes met for a brief moment and I averted my eyes a little too quickly. I was surprised at myself cause I wasn't used to gawking at guys (well not yet anyways). I always bonded well with guys; it was easy being with them - simple without any complications. Being a tomboy all my life, I had more guy friends than girl friends. I turned around to have a second look, but he had disappeared. My friends soon arrived and we chatted up a bit after exchanging the usual pleasantries. My mind kept wandering to the guy I had seen in the morning in between conversations. This was something that never happened to me; I had never been distracted by a member of the opposite sex.

It was soon time for our classes. We entered the lab at the ground floor of the first building. We were soon split into batches of 10 as per our roll call and were told that every batch would have a tutor mentoring them throughout the year. The teachers soon arrived. However, our tutor was nowhere to be seen. We waited for about 10-15 minutes after which me & S when to check with Prof K if we would be doing anything today. Just then we were told that Prof M had arrived and we went back to join the rest of our batch. Prof M came in and apologised for being late. I looked up and couldn't look away. It was my eye-candy from the morning. I was surprised, shocked, devasted!! I kept staring at him and went blank for a couple of minutes. I soon realised what I was doing, composed myself and my heart rate shortly came back to normal. I soon caught up with what was being said and we split into pairs to perform the first of the many experiments.

We soon realised that Prof M was indeed quite young and was doing his Masters Degree. Being a brilliant student and having a penchant for teaching, he took up a number of substitute teaching jobs. Good looking and Smart: my curiosity soon developed into My First Crush...

We had him mentoring us for most of the practicals in the first year. He soon started some of the classroom sessions as well. He was a good teacher and kept everybody engaged and attentive. He soon got me interested in the subject. It had always been one of my favourite subjects, but having discussion with him on various challenges & quizzes was intellectualy stimulating. I soon started acing his classes and was encouraged me to join the Science Club. I made sure I was there for all his classes. And so did the rest of the 50 odd girls in our year :). Yeah yeah, he had other admirers too. The year went by quickly and we heard that Prof M was soon to leave us and go to the States for his PhD. The last time I saw him was at his farewell arranged by us Science Club Geeks...

Although I did not follow in his footsteps, my interaction with him was rewarding in many more ways than well just having a Crush :)... There were many more crushes to follow in the future... But, Prof M you will never be forgotten!!

An AfterThought: Isn't it ironical that My First Serious Crush was on a man who taught 'Chemistry' :).

A New Beginning!

For the past few days, all I have been doing other than work is going through some of my old articles in various newsletters, college magazines, old notes form my travelling, cut-outs, pictures and so much more... This has got me thinking... Although I have been thinking about this for a long time now... 

Do I get back to writing? Not that I am Tolstoy or Shakespeare or Naipaul, but I don't think I am too bad either... I would consider my writing... well, above mediocre... In fact I have people persuading me to start  blog from some time now... I have also been an avid follower of many fantastic blogs over the years... Maybe its time for me get inspired and go ahead... Why the hell not? No more excuses... 

So, Here I Go People... There will be lot of reminiscing, whimsical droning, opinions, some old travel logs, basically whatever comes to my mind... Welcome to my Thoughts!!

WARNING: As I am relatively new at this, the blog would undergo frequent format changes. So, Hang in there! Once I am done experimenting and happy with the look, there would be stability :)