Motherhood

Motherhood 

My toddler was excited for his annual day

I dropped him backstage, he wanted me to stay

The stage was all set, with effects and light

The sound was energetic, the LED was bright

His class entered and they all looked alike

I was at a distance, trying to take a strike

Tiny little bundles of joy wanting to do their best

Spotting the child on stage was a tough test

Then I saw a boy, turning the way he turns

He shouted Mumma, he took a quick spurn

I immediately recognized the apple of my eye

He rehearsed naughtily and was feeling shy

In such big an auditorium seated in the balcony

I had no confusion, about where was my honey bunny

That’s when I wondered how I took such less time

After all it is motherhood warm and sublime….

Yuvi and Mumma

The tight bun

She had a firm face, and a fierce voice

Her conversations held, an unreal poise

I met her randomly once in a few days

She seemed to live her life strictly her way

She was a mother too, quite older than me

Always no nonsensical, no time to see

She dressed so typical, hair tied in a bun

Behind her back, I admit I made fun

A smile on her face came like in a leap year

I wondered has this lady overcome every fear

One day I came to know she is set to take a leave

It’s her daughter’s marriage; she is got too much up her sleeves

The very next day, as I took a coffee break

I saw her dreaming, though her eyes were awake

I don’t know what got to me, I ended up asking her

Is everything ok? You look lost and blurred

She took a deep sigh, and unknowingly replied

My daughter will go away; I will have no one by my side

She said she feared how she will spend her days alone

I was surprised as if I have seen a talking stone

I struggled to get words, as she shared more

She had an irresponsible husband, eyes were about to pour

Though awkward I assured her it will phase out

She said, I know dear but still I have my doubts

Anyways she said; please don’t let this entire spill

I promised her will not gossip and stayed still

She got up to move, her aura spreading around me

She was bearing so much, so she had no time to see

She had a hidden story, a story that’s not bare

I wondered, does everyone have a similar story to share?

Kun FayaKun says Tathastu

I was never acquainted with Sufism as a culture – for the first time I heard ‘Sufism’ in context of music. I got curious about the meaning of the word Sufi; It correlates to Safi meaning Pure. What is pure? That which is not maligned! That which outshines the surrounding darkness..

What bought me face to face with Sufi music was the song Kun Faya Kun from the Bollywood movie Rockstar starring Ranbir Kapoor. I did not understand the lyrics and the intricate music notes but my soul connected instantly.

8 years have passed since this song was released and I seemed to have developed a special bond with it. Whenever I am left to myself, a part of me hums this song. This is why I thought of writing an article ‘Kun Faya says Tathastu’ – as a tribute to this fantastic creation of A.R Rahman.

Talking a little about A.R Rahman, it is difficult to describe his nocturnal approach and originality in work in bare words. An article published in Verve magazine came in way and I found it defines his persona aptly. In the story the music maestro has said

“Your heart and mind need to be free. And you need to work towards greatness. That happens when you feel that you have to do something amazing. And despite striving for greater heights, as a person, you try to be as humble as possible…..”

This statement sums up what A.R Rahman is, in absolute – no filters. A composer par excellence and I am lucky to be able to connect to one of his masterpieces ‘Kun Faya Kun’

Kun Fayakun comes from Arabic words “Kun” which means “to be” or “to exist” and “Fayakun” which means “it is” .So its literal meaning is “Be, and it is“. The song glorifies the power of manifestation. The creator wishes “Be!!” and whatever he wishes comes into being. I would extend it to the mortals like you and me too. If we wish with virtuousness it does come true.

Image courtesy: creativeunited

Tathastu in Sanskrit means, “Aisa hi ho/ So be it” or “Aivmastu.”  The Sanskrit word emanates power of self – the power to create. Yes, both Kun Fayakun and Tathastu are the dominions of God (omnipresent but never seen), but time and again we feel like we can also create and attract what we imagine. A classic correlation – Kun Fayakun says Tathastu, which reiterates Allah and Ram are one, Jesus and Raheem are same.

Now, coming back to the beauty of this composition, it unshackles the listener from grudges and disappointments. The following words from the song mean “Free me from myself”

O mujhpe karam sarkar tera
Araz tujhe, karde mujhe, mujhse hi riha
Ab mujhko bhi ho, deedaar mera
Karde mujhe, mujhse hi riha
Mujhse hi rihaaaaaaaa

In less than 2 minutes the song places so much positivity in complete surrender to our deeds whether good or bad and guides us to move forward for good.

Man ke mere yeh bharam Kacche mere yeh karam Leke chale hain Kahan Main toh jaanu hi naa

A salute to Mr. Irshad Kamil, the lyricist of this song, I wonder what was his source of enlightenment, that helped him weave something so abstract and make it so visible. A rare combination of words (lyrics as we call it) that helps you traverse into the realm of self- acceptance.

The soul is all pervading and transcendental – the following lines encourage one to welcome what others think and do, we come to appreciate the differences..

Woh Jo Mujh Mein Samaya
Woh Jo Tujh Mein Samaya
Maula Wahi Wahi Maaya

I am sure there is still a lot to this song which I have not absorbed. Leaving it at the note of infinity…..