Shades of Love

One of those times when you need somebody, and you have them it does feel like a drug moving through your veins. And just as anybody would I ran towards him, not wanting to notice the consequences. That hug was just a modest way of saying I want more. He met me when I was in the sunny side and the grass was much greener there. There, where he stood amidst the crowd waiting for me to come and embrace life. I say this with a lump in my throat.

He pulled me out of something, something I may have readily succumbed to long back. He made me see the sky, the flowers, the walls and a bit of myself. We spoke to each other, but I was only listening to him. We walked together, but I was watching his steps. He touched me with a sense of belonging, the one I had never experienced before. I wanted to run away with him. Run away to a place where I could lie in his arms and have the serenity touch my soul. Just then, I heard him say to me, " Come let me take you on a journey." I didn't know where we were going, not that I cared to ask. But it indeed was a place where I found myself. He laughed and took me in his arms, so soft yet strong, making me feel warm. I love the smell of his sweat, telling that to myself I stopped thinking for a passing second seeming like forever, held him tightly and breathed him in.

While caressing his hands, still lying in his arms on the green grass, my mind was boggling to find out why is he here? He has his secrets. He was too afraid to love, yet lacking the courage to abandon it. His presence had always affected me, but I never could know what mine did for him. I could hear his heart beat loud and clear and lifted my head once to look at him while we were still entwined into an intimate embrace. Being held into his arms, it was perfect. Of course, I wanted more than perfect. What could that possibly be? I did not have a clue.

He ran his fingers gently down my cheeks and asked, is it gone? Your fret? I wanted to smile and say yes, but I didn't. I didn't want to give up the feeling of being in his arms. Well, a man and a woman together, we laughed allowing laughter to bring its magic. We both felt an urge, with our pulse going up too quickly. We understood it all along and let us go to get what we both longed for. Not opening my eyes, not knowing whether he did the same or not, our lips touched and sparked a passion that I never had experienced before. It was a feeling too naive to be explained.

He always kept his promise. He always makes me smile. He always takes away the unwanted and stir a ray faith in me. One of its kind. He always say, we will stay together. Eager for exactly that, I leaned towards him once again, knowing deep down that he may be destined to walk away.

Thumri: Love, rain and devotion

With the rain drops pouring and lush green leaves emerging from beneath the dust being washed away, the season of monsoon, 'saawan', resonates with the language of love, Thumri.

"Jiska piya sang beete saawan,
Us dulhan ki ren suhagan,
Jis saawan mei piya ghar nahi,
Aag lage us saawan ko,
Ab ke saawan,
Ghar aaja"

Weaved with the essence of sensual love of Radha and Krishna, Thumri borrows from the anecdotes surrounding the 'leelas' of Kanha. Based on Shringar rasa, the emotion of romantic love, Thumri also follows the path of love, art beauty and spiritual devotion.

"Deewana kiye shyam,
Kya jaado dala"

Thumri gained prominence in the 19th century Lucknow, amidst the court of Mughal ruler Wajid Shah Ali. He ascended the throne in 1847 and was enormously skilled in several performing arts. Lucknow, known to have a 'Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb', was profusely filled with many of the finest musicians, dancers and other performing artists. Wajid Ali Shah's proficiency in art and it's magnitude was huge enough to bring people from far off lands to become his disciples. He was a learned dancer and a gifted composer. Both Kathak and Thumri attained new heights of popularity and glory during his regime. His composition; babul mora naihar chooto jae has been sung by various singers and is considered a classic even today.

Krishna is celebrated as the lord of love. His stories fascinate us and tells us that he contains the essence of sensuality and passion. Having as many as 1600 lovers his indulgence in love play with other girls often made Radha criticize him.

"Saachi kaho mose batiyan,
Kahan gavaai saari ratiya"

Intimate and profound, divine engagement of the senses, Thumri focuses on love songs dealing with the songs of separation or 'viraha'. Lyrics follow in ornamented enunciation as the singer imagines the' nayika', or the Brij girl calling out for her 'nayak', Krishna.

"Kya maza baar baar milta hai,
Aji tumko humse rooth jane mei,
Roothne mei lagengi do ghadiyan,
Umr kat jayegi manane mei,
Humri atariya pe aaja re saawariya
Dekha dekhi tanik hui jaye re"

Other renowned figures who contributed in the evolution of Thumri were Sadiq Ali Khan, the tutor of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and the Kathak maestro Bindadin Maharaj. He is credited for associating Thumri with 'Abhinaya' or the art of expression. It was the art, 'kala', of 'Bhaav batana' or expressing the sentiments of the song through dance. Etymologized from the word 'thumakna', Thumri thus has a deep connection with the kala of Kathak. Thumri was also performed at par excellence by the courtesans. The 'tawaifs' contributed significantly towards universalizing Thumri.

As the art expanded its wings to other parts of the country so did the diverse influences. The different approaches gave rise to 'bol-banao thumri' which incorporated the folk forms of music 'dadra', 'kajri' and 'jhoola'. The bol-banao thumri moved to Banaras, whereas the 'bol-baant thumri' which marked the influences of Kathak, gazhals and 'tappa' remained intact to Lucknow.

Thumri as a form of music was always confronted by prejudices. Other than being associated with courtesans, it was termed as the semi classical genre, and never got the importance or prestige worth Hindustani classical music. Falling under the social structures of Hindustani Music, such has been the destiny for Thumri. However, it is the only Hindustani musical form with such a multidisciplinary identity of being associated with folk repertoires and dance.

From the courts of Nawabs of Lucknow to the huge musical concerts, Thumri with its affinity for shades of feeling, emotion and mood has transcended over time and space continuously intriguing the feelings of amorousness and sensuality.

Story telling has been an inevitable part of our lives. We have believed in the stories, living and learning through them. Thumri revolves around the stories of love and passion between a man and a woman. It is celebrated and lived through the lyrical enchantment of these stories.

"Sajanwa
Saawan beeta jae
Preet Kari aur Karahun na Jani,
Murakh Leek Lagaye,
Sawan Beeta Jaye"


Copyrights: The Creative Project

LOVE

Love is a deep affection or fondness, a sexual passion, a romantic relationship between two people, an intense enthusiasm or liking for someone. This is how the dictionary describes the most deepest emotion; the hardest secret. So it really makes me fight for and believe that there is a lot more to love than we all could imagine, or expect.

Love is the strongest power. Strong enough to evoke the feelings of happiness, sadness, longing, affection, lust, insecurity, jealousy. So strong that it can make 'anybody' lose their heart and soul and selflessly live with that 'somebody' whom they have fallen for. It is a feeling so intense that 'anybody' tend to weave their world around their 'somebody'. That 'somebody' becomes so important; rather special in your life that you tend to see things around you with their perspective. Being a writer, I can say that they become an inspiration for your work and thoughts and dreams and desires. The craziest part of being in love is that you don’t even tend to recognize the reason most of the times.

A mother loves her child like nobody could. It the most selfless love. A woman's love for her man is her desire and loyalty towards him. She loves the man in the most purest form. A friend loves another friend for the fun they have together. It is the mischievous love. That day I saw an old couple holding hands and walking down the street. That was the love of support and understanding. It does seem this is a lot like what love is.

However, love has an even broader dimension to itself. It could be anybody's love for something. Now, that something could again be anything. It could be a musicians love for sound, a dancers love for rhythm, or a writers love for pen!

I feel love is like a breeze, free flowing. It is a natural resource too! Of course, you can't make 'anybody' love 'somebody'! It just happens. All I can say is after being in love it is easier to believe about more in magic than before. It gives you light in darkness guiding you on the unfolding road, joy in sorrow, pain in relief. Whatever it may be, it just binds you together!

It has a sort of chemical reactive nature too. 'Anybody' might love 'somebody' but that 'somebody' might just not be aware of that 'anybody'. It brings complications. Like being in love gives you a bipolar disorder at a maximum indulgence but it usually starts with something like pms!

I Love You! It is still a mystery for me or I guess everybody, that how are these three words capable enough to sway you off your feet and take you to the seventh cloud. It makes you feel wanted. 'Anybody' would need a 'somebody' to talk to, share feelings and spaces with, to be a part of their lives. Love is a little selfish too, almost! Though it brings out the best in us.

It is the quality of relationship the some 'anybody' and any 'somebody' shares. It lets them be the greatest person and demands to put forth the best in them to always overcome the worst and lowest in their souls. Love is like an unconquered spirit, always surrounding us, making people happy. And with so much love around, I have started to think, "Can anybody find me somebody to love?".