The show must go on!

We are story tellers,
We travel, we sing, we dance
We are revelers,
Whenever we have a chance

But now that we are stuck at home

We rack our brain

Can all we do is write a tome?

How do we entertain

Rehearsals on skype

Play readings using zoom

Are of a different type

While you are in your room

There’s a different kind of magic in the air

And As the times have shown

It is only fair

To say that the show goes on!

The Cover is not the Book!

There’s a well known expression

You only get one chance to make a first impression

There’s another that is not in favour

Never judge a book by its cover

Should one work hard to impress

Or not really take any stress

Biases are created in a thrice

And one has to pay the price

Do we really have the power to glance

Or is it that we’re taking a chance

So open it up and take a look

The cover is not the book

अभी था यहाँ गया वो कहाँ

अभी था बचपन, गया वो कहाँ ?
जब भी मैं सोचु बीत गए ये दिन कैसे ?

यादों को आवाज़ देता हूँ, छेड़ के दिलों के तार।
चला जाता हूँ एक सफर पे ढूँढ़ते हुए सारे निशान।

जीवन के हर मोड़ पे मिली मुझे, बाहों में डाले बाहें
वो भीगी भीगी यादें और मीठी मीठी बातें,
वो टूटे हुए सपने और मुट्ठी भर आसमान ,
वो नासूर ज़खमें और मरहम लगाते हुए हाथ,

ये है जीवन का साज़।

कल की सोच में आज को न छोड़ो
बीते पल या कल फिर न लौट आएगा
जैसे फिसली रेत मुट्ठी में

ये सोच कर फिर मैं शुरू करता हूँ सफर
परछाई को पीछे छोड़ कर
जब तक कहीं दूर यह सवाल लौट आये

Mann ki Baat

As I was writing the previous one, I felt like changing it a bit

Bhaiyon aur behno Please vote me back

We’re the bestest party in the pack

I have lots of things to show

And on my laurels glow

Oh no no to ask me is in vain

GST and demonetisation have been a big pain

I believe in taking everyone ahead together

In great reforms India trails none other

Development projects are in top gear

Acche din are very much here

Oh no no that cannot be 

distressed farmers and unemployed youth I see

                                                            

Mitron what can I do, 

To prove that I’m always working for you? 

Reservations, triple talaq, and direct cash transfers

Are just a sample of plans I have in my charters

Oh no no don’t try to make me sway 

And bidding you good morning I’ll call you another day

Wait! Don’t pay attention to what you hear about me 

It’s the corrupt who want to get rid of me 

Though I’ve been called a disaster  

I’m not the accidental prime minister

Oh no no it’s not just what I’ve heard

My vision is not blurred

Aadhar and digital surveillance is for your good

My intentions are misunderstood

I am the chowkidar and protector

I will eliminate every terrorist and trouble maker

Oh no no these jumlas are effective tools

To make us voters fools

we will build a new India, put your bet on us 

Do you have another option for your trust

You gave them seventy years, that is a lot

It’s only been 5 years give us another shot

Oh no no we know it’s a lure

We will not fall for it that is sure

The Voters Dilemma

Wrote this as a 1 minute script - inspired by the Spider and the Fly

Bhaiyon aur behno Please vote me back

We’re the bestest party in the pack

I have lots of things to show

And on my laurels glow

Oh no no to ask me is in vain

GST and demonetisation have been a big pain

I believe in taking everyone ahead together

In great reforms India trails none other

Development projects are in top gear

Acche din are very much here

Oh no no that cannot be 

distressed farmers and unemployed youth I see

Mitron what can I do, 

To prove that I’m always working for you? 

Don’t give up hope, give me another shot

It’s only been five years and that is not a lot

I thank you, for what you’re pleased to say

And bidding you good morning I’ll call you another day 

Wait! Don’t listen to what the others have to say

It’s the corrupt who want to keep me at bay

Think of the country and Use your intelligence

Do you have another option for your allegiance?

Oh no no maybe you’re right. my head is in a spin

I think I should help you win

सब कुछ धुंधला हैं क्यों

आईने के सामने जो मैं खड़ा हूँ 
सब कुछ धुंधला हैं क्यों  

दिल की तमन्नाए थी 
लेकिन दिल को हमने समझाया था भी 

जो पल ढल गए उनकी यादों में 
मन को मचलने न दिया हमने 

सीने में जो जलन थी 
हमने आग तो बुझाई भी 

सपनों के जो दीप जले थे 
उनकी लौ को सुलझाया भी है 

वो न समझी हमें जब 
तन्हाई को मंज़िल बनाई तब 

आँखों में तूफ़ान हैं 
पर नमी तो नहीं आने दी हैं 

मैं आइना देख के हैरान हूँ 
सब कुछ धुंधला धुंधला क्यों हैं  

चश्मा जो निकाला  परेशानी में 
सब कुछ साफ़ हो गया एक घडी में 

I wonder why it happens so

I wonder why it happens so

You are never in the know

The mind breaks all barriers

Chasing wishes like harriers

I’m truly happy with no one about 

That I’m sure without a doubt

But then why do I keep 

Remembering her before I sleep

I’m not the inquisitive type

Listening to gossip and tripe

Instead of raising my brow

I seek stories of her on the go

If I don’t have expectations

I will have no dejections

Yet with a sigh and moan

Look at her photo in the phone 

It’s a constant thought 

Love it is surely not

I wonder why it happens so

You are never in the know

Trees!

A tree has different meanings

For people of different leanings

Some share a wonderful bond

For others it is a source of fund

A source of shade for a walker

For birds and insects it is a shelter

Sacred for some communities

Others treat it like commodities

Trees give us clean air

Sometimes also a lair

There is also some food

But for the greedy its only wood

Buddha was enlightened under a tree

Hiding among trees kept Robin Hood free

The apple tree gave Newton gravity

And helped Veerappan keep Rajkumar in captivity

Be it the trees planted in a park

Or those along the sidewalk

Those planted with passion

Or cut for growth of the nation

  

Every tree has a story

It is a piece of history

Let us give it a hearing

For every tree has a meaning 

Where have all the sparrows gone

I finally wrote a song!

Of course, my song is inspired from the song... 'Where have the flowers gone' tune and a bit of the lyrics too.

Where have all the sparrows gone, long time passing?

Where have all the sparrows gone, long time ago?

Where have all the sparrows gone?

They’ve disappeared and they’ve gone

Oh, when will they ever come?

Oh, when will they ever come? 

Where have all the sparrows gone, long time passing?

Where have all the sparrows gone, long time ago?

Where have all the sparrows gone?

Gone with worms and insects small

Oh, what will they get to eat?

Oh, what will they get to eat?

Where have all the insects gone, long time passing?

Where have all the insects gone, long time ago?

Where have all the insects gone?                                

Gone with spaces lush and green

Oh, where will we find them now?

Oh, where will we find them now?

Where have all the green spaces gone, long time passing?

Where have all the green spaces gone, long time ago?

Where have all the green spaces gone?

Gone for concrete everywhere

Oh, when will we ever learn?

Oh, when will we ever learn? 

What’re we then doing now, time’s just passing

They have been gone too long, long time ago

What’re are we then doing now?

Are we trying hard enough?

Oh, how will we bring them back?

Oh, how will we bring them back?

People are just doing their bit, long time passing

Trying to woo them back, long time ago

People are just doing their bit,

We need to join our hands

Oh, Come forward all and one  

Oh, Come forward all and one

Sparrows will come back here long time passing

Absence will be of the past, long time ago

Sparrows will come back here

They will be surely be back

They will not be too long

They will not be too long

  

Bottled Water!

San Francisco bans sale of bottled water... though primarily for reducing the plastic waste created by the bottles. It inspired me to write this one on bottling water.

Where the water is a basic human right and needed for life

Where it is a part of nature

Where it has not been packed into plastic bottles

By every major corporation

Where it is still available to all

Despite access at tireless distances

Where governments have not lost their way

Into the big bogs of greed

Where citizens still strive to see

How clean water can be free

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Without You

The dark sky turning bright,
With the rising ball of fire,
Wow! it is a brilliant sight
          But why is it sire
          That I don't enjoy this?
          And it is you I miss!

The winding roads up the hill,
With breathtaking views round every bend,
Send up my spine a thrill
          But why is it at the end
          That I don't enjoy this?
          And it is you I miss!

The beauty of the peacock plume,
Spreading out in a dance,
Can get me out of ant gloom
          But why is it that I'm never in a trance
          That I don't enjoy this?
          And it is you I miss!

The beautiful sky so clear,
With galaxies and stars shining,
It is as if I am very near
          But why is it that my heart is always pining
          That I don't enjoy this?
          And it is you I miss!

The Walk of Life

As you walk the path of life

Don’t think of it as strife

It’s just a state of mind

for the right balance to find

there maybe grief

but it will be brief

if you keep trying

to not keep crying

of others feelings you care

keeping your life bare

its good to think of your wish

at the cost of being selfish

to you people matter

some hurt you by their chatter

only  with time you will find

that those who matter don’t mind

talking and sharing is not a ruse

to friends use

walking with friends in the dark   

is like a walk in the park

you are a lonely seed

friends are what you need

it’s important for him to be an ace

doesn’t matter from which race

As you walk the path of life

Don’t think of it as strife

Don’t for milestones gloom

But in moments bloom

पैसा!!

सांझ सवेरे सिर्फ पैसे की बात

ना जाने क्यों हो रहा है ये हमारे साथ

ना रोटी ना कपड़ा, चाहिये मुझे मकान

सुनते सुनते ही हो गयी हमे थकान

नज़रें देखे घर पराया

इस घर ने तो हमारा नींद चुराया

कहीं से निकल आये उनके दिल के अरमान

कैसे पूरा करें हम उनके फरमान

कहते नहीं रुकती उनकी हर अदा

येह है काम बड़ा मुश्किल सदा

कहते नहीं रुकती उनके लब 

कैसे पूरी करें यह हसरत अब

पैसे नहीं हैं, तो कर्ज़ का सवाल हुआ

समझे ना कोई क्यों, येह हैं एक अंधा कुआँ

बच्चा नहीं, घर की बड़ी ज़रूरत है  

ज़िंदगी खाली खाली बर्तन है

सबने अपने सपनो के दीप जलाये

धूप में हम जल के साया हो गये 

पैसा! पैसा! पैसा!

है येह किस्सा कैसा!

ऐे ज़िन्दगी

हर सुबह हर रोज़
दिल के आरज़ूओं में
अजीब  सी भीनी भीनी खुश्बू है
अंखियों के पलकों पे
लहराते रंगीले ख्वाब है

तेरा चेहरा तेरी नज़रें
तेरे आँखों का रंग भी
मदहोशी का करता आलम है

तेरी आवाज़ तेरी वाणी
तेरे पैरों के आहट भी
सुरीली गूँज कानो में है

तू इस तरह मेरी ज़िन्दगी में शामिल हैं
हाथ बढ़ा ऐे ज़िन्दगी
हाथ मिला के साथ चल 

You Never Know When They Start

Matters of the heart,
You never know when they start,

Was it at the first sight,
or after the big fight,

Was it at the walks,
or after the talks,

Was it the eyes and lips,
or after the trips,

Was it during the time crunches,
or after the shared lunches,

Was it during the call,
or after the fall,

Was it the laughter,
or after the banter,

Was it the last birth,
or after the rebirth,

Matters of the heart,
You never know when they start.

Bahut Socha

बहुत सोचा के क्या कहूं ,
बहुत सोचा क्या कहूं,
"I'll get you the moon"
but it's about being true

बहुत सोचा क्या कहूं ,
बहुत सोचा क्या कहूं,
"you make my heart bloom"
but it's about me and not you

बहुत सोचा क्या कहूं,
बहुत सोचा क्या कहूं,
"your friendship is the life boon...
but it's incomplete without you"

Eighteen!

As we turn eighteen,
What a journey it has been
lets look back
and take stock

The founders dared to dream
a daunting task it may seem

from toddler steps
to larger leaps
from hey days
to grey days

The employees put in the effort
while advisors gave their support

As we turn eighteen
widely are we seen
lets not on our laurels rest
but continue to give it our best

we have miles to go
and promises to keep

Wish is a wish

I wished a friend on Onam a little belated, and this is what she had to say ...

Wish is a wish..
Even for a fish..
Of course its ok to come in a little late-ish!
Wish is a wish..
Even for a fish..

...

Life has been but a cake walk
You wished it was written with chalk
Your character has been so strong
Obstacles disappear before long
Not willing with frustration to be torn
You’ve always taken the bull by the horn
Conquered every peak
Week after week
Just as you think its time to play
God has something different to say
Smiling and laughing and crying within
settled for nothing less than a win
Left you alone have I my dear
What should I do it is not clear
Hope I just
and you I trust
If unable to sail
will call me without fail

Those Were The Days!!!

I wonder what got into us
We did not want to miss the bus
The terms weren’t very fine
But it was a Silverline

Sifting through the files
Working without smiles
The team did its task
With a plastic mask

We are not the kind
To just fit in the grind
In a short while
The team was all smile

Gale and TAF
Were but a laugh
At tea and lunch
We were a bunch

The work increased
It never ceased
With deadlines to keep
and nights without sleep

Soon there were new faces
working at different paces
It wasn’t easy
To work the lazy

There were differences
By different inferences
That tested our might
but boss wasn’t always right

Soon people were gone
One by one
Some for the stork
Others for work

As the chapter came to a close
We hoped friends not to lose
And say always
Those were the days

I wonder what got into us
Why there was so much fuss
Over the terms being fine
Now i’ don't even think in that line