When its been quite long since I'd have rambled and written something, I generally go back to see what I've written. The mere thought of Jobs and his effect still makes me shiver and wells up my eyes.
But, life goes on, so will Apple, atleast for 5 years or so. I wish them all the luck.
Anyways, November is almost over, and like a dutiful blogger, I was determined to not miss writing one. Life's been pretty hectic, but fun, nevertheless.
I attended my first conference, not sure if it was the first I attended, but for sure the first in which I participated, as in, presented my work to an expert audience, waiting for them to shred my work to pieces that can't be collected later on. Surprisingly, of course with assistance from my guide, my work wasn't shredded to pieces, it was not lauded either, but it was not shredded. I discovered a very different approach in the way conferences and people are dealt with, compared to how it is done in the US. Not that I went there again, but interaction at such a level hadn't happened here, for me to relate to it any earlier.
The conference was at the campus of IIT, Roorkee, which we reached by train (phew!). Easily one of the best campuses I'd have ever seen till now. It looked like a pukka student atmosphere. Missed my hostel days, those night walks, those endless midnight talks et al. Its hard to believe sometimes that I'm back in college, on the other side of the class, as one of my dear friends put it across for me.
Haridwar and Rishikesh were two places we were able to go to, owing to time constraints. Rafting on the Ganges was probably one of the most humbling feeling I've ever got. I mean, we've read about the river, know that people worship it, know of the mythological significance it has in an Indian context. Not that I'm an all believer, but still, the word means purity to me. Standing there all decked up and ready to raft was an unexplainable feeling. I sometimes think I dwell too much on the psychological part of the effects of inanimate objects, I'm trying to figure out why. Maybe its the inkling to write a song. Maybe. Rafting was fun, indeed, but the news that came to me later that day wasn't.
After Jobs' death, I was shocked by 3 other deaths. All people whom I revered if not idolized. All people whom I loved and respected, if not worshipped. All stalwarts in their own might. Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh, Bhupen Hazarika, the voice that still resonates in my ears, and today, just today, Ustad Sultan Khan. Bhupenda passed away the day I rafted on the Ganga. The song that he had created, the song that brought about a wave of something over me, back in my engineering days. The song that Nani and I would discuss about, for a long time to come.
Jagjit Singh ji was the life of ghazals for many. I shamelessly admit that I'd not heard of many of his ghazals, probably owing to my extremely poor knowledge of the language, which would result in totally being unappreciative of the nuances of finer words and the way in which they were used. I loved his voice though, that deep baritone is equalled by few.
Ustad Sultan Khan was another different but remarkable singer. I first heard him in Piya Basanti. Discovered that soul is the most important essence of singing, even if you have the most melodious female voice singing along with you. Discovered the Sarangi because of him. Sang Albela Sajan a zillion times, which made me get selected in a number of places.
I mean no offense to anybody, but these weren't people whom I idolized. I respected them and learnt immensely, but it was not heart shattering, because I've not been able to make myself aware of the entire database of their potentiality. I shiver with trepidation when I think what would happen when people whom I adore, worship and consider indispensable prove me wrong in matters of longevity. Not that there won't be a similarly talented being on the planet. But that there won't be anybody as close with dedication and passion, a rare quality these days.
So, life does go on, on and on. It takes sometime after the initial grief to realize that life's indeed so unpredictable and lets get on with it, take reigns, let the horses control it sometimes, but enjoy and live it to the fullest.
But, life goes on, so will Apple, atleast for 5 years or so. I wish them all the luck.
Anyways, November is almost over, and like a dutiful blogger, I was determined to not miss writing one. Life's been pretty hectic, but fun, nevertheless.
I attended my first conference, not sure if it was the first I attended, but for sure the first in which I participated, as in, presented my work to an expert audience, waiting for them to shred my work to pieces that can't be collected later on. Surprisingly, of course with assistance from my guide, my work wasn't shredded to pieces, it was not lauded either, but it was not shredded. I discovered a very different approach in the way conferences and people are dealt with, compared to how it is done in the US. Not that I went there again, but interaction at such a level hadn't happened here, for me to relate to it any earlier.
The conference was at the campus of IIT, Roorkee, which we reached by train (phew!). Easily one of the best campuses I'd have ever seen till now. It looked like a pukka student atmosphere. Missed my hostel days, those night walks, those endless midnight talks et al. Its hard to believe sometimes that I'm back in college, on the other side of the class, as one of my dear friends put it across for me.
Haridwar and Rishikesh were two places we were able to go to, owing to time constraints. Rafting on the Ganges was probably one of the most humbling feeling I've ever got. I mean, we've read about the river, know that people worship it, know of the mythological significance it has in an Indian context. Not that I'm an all believer, but still, the word means purity to me. Standing there all decked up and ready to raft was an unexplainable feeling. I sometimes think I dwell too much on the psychological part of the effects of inanimate objects, I'm trying to figure out why. Maybe its the inkling to write a song. Maybe. Rafting was fun, indeed, but the news that came to me later that day wasn't.
After Jobs' death, I was shocked by 3 other deaths. All people whom I revered if not idolized. All people whom I loved and respected, if not worshipped. All stalwarts in their own might. Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh, Bhupen Hazarika, the voice that still resonates in my ears, and today, just today, Ustad Sultan Khan. Bhupenda passed away the day I rafted on the Ganga. The song that he had created, the song that brought about a wave of something over me, back in my engineering days. The song that Nani and I would discuss about, for a long time to come.
Jagjit Singh ji was the life of ghazals for many. I shamelessly admit that I'd not heard of many of his ghazals, probably owing to my extremely poor knowledge of the language, which would result in totally being unappreciative of the nuances of finer words and the way in which they were used. I loved his voice though, that deep baritone is equalled by few.
Ustad Sultan Khan was another different but remarkable singer. I first heard him in Piya Basanti. Discovered that soul is the most important essence of singing, even if you have the most melodious female voice singing along with you. Discovered the Sarangi because of him. Sang Albela Sajan a zillion times, which made me get selected in a number of places.
I mean no offense to anybody, but these weren't people whom I idolized. I respected them and learnt immensely, but it was not heart shattering, because I've not been able to make myself aware of the entire database of their potentiality. I shiver with trepidation when I think what would happen when people whom I adore, worship and consider indispensable prove me wrong in matters of longevity. Not that there won't be a similarly talented being on the planet. But that there won't be anybody as close with dedication and passion, a rare quality these days.
So, life does go on, on and on. It takes sometime after the initial grief to realize that life's indeed so unpredictable and lets get on with it, take reigns, let the horses control it sometimes, but enjoy and live it to the fullest.
