Lovely composition by Yiruma. Came across this one, thanks to my nephew who has a refined and impeccable taste in music.
With female vocals. I liked the instrumental one better:)
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Music from Morocco and Algiers
Casablanca is what Morocco immediately brings to mind, but this post is about a couple of songs which were forwarded by friends. One is by Khaled who sang "Didi" which got all the Bhaiyas and Didis and Betas and Betis on the dance floor. This one is Aisha and it has nothing to do with the movie of the same name.:) This one is in French and the English translation has been provided by Mary Jane a friend.
The translation of the French lyrics is by "Righteous Fool ".
Like I didn't exist she walked by beside me. Without one look, Queen of Sabbath I said: Aicha take it, everything is for... y...ou* Look here, these pearls, these jewels. Also the gold surrounding you. Fruit, well ripened with the taste of honey. My life, Aicha if you love me Aicha, li...sten to me, Aicha, Don't leave, Aicha look at me, Aicha answer me! *
I will go where your breath takes usin lands of ivory and ebonyI will wipe off your tears, your pain. Nothing is too beautiful for a woman so pretty*I will say words of poemsI will play music of the sky. I will take the rays of the sunto lighten up your queen eyes.Aicha Listen to me, Aicha don't leave...*
She said :" Look at your treasures...I need better than all that.Strong bars, even trellis in gold. I want the same rights as you. And respect for every day. I don't want anything but love"*
Like I didn't exist she passed me by without one look, Queen of SabbathI said: Aisha take it, everything is for you Aicha, listen to me Aisha don't leave.
Cheb Mami collaborated with Sting in the Desert Rose. This too is a nice song and he has collaborated with the Italian rock singer Zucchero. A word about Cheb Mami though. I do not care much for the person since he has been tried and found guilty of trying to kidnap and perform a forced abortion on his girlfriend. He has been imprisoned in France. The music however is a team effort and sounds good. Strange how talent seems to reside in these kind of people!! Roman Polanski and Woody Allen immediately come to mind.The translation of the French lyrics is by "Righteous Fool ".
"Another sun as the day is leaving will set in my soul when I'm alone
for those who ...hope and now keep on believing one love is calling for everyone
And I believe again in every promise
Faith is returning; She's my babyand I can live again for all tomorrowsFaith is returning; She's my... baby
When the day is fading, I will remain to love you better and lose my fears born on this morning, soft as the rainroses are falling through my tears..
.Good bye to misery and empty hours
Faith is returning, she's my baby And I can live again coz love will save me
Faith is returning, she's my baby"
Monday, October 25, 2010
Why talent alone will not ensure success.
Harsha Bhogle at IIM Ahmedabad on Excellence
An interesting presentation by Harsha Bhogle, which is insightful and gives you a possible explanation as to why kids who topped the class, never topped it in life and the talented hotshots never took the winner's podium and why it is that we find ourselves applauding the supposedly "mediocre",or as a teenager once told me at the gym.. "why is it that, it is the #@%+, who always gets the girl and has the BMW"?
If you are short of time, go to part II and to the 7th minute of the presentation, where he talks about, the importance of talent in achieving excellence. He mentions how people who are talented, always depend on talent to see them through and when it does not, they are lost and rarely are able to bounce back. To me this was one of the most significant points he made.
I have seen many talented people who studied with me and who worked with me, who never reached the heights they could have and should have. It was not merely luck that explained it. There were other issues. Harsha mentions attitude and work ethic. He contrasts Vinod Kambli with Sachin Tendulkar. I however think that is too simplistic. I believe, emotional intelligence and the ability to network and form successful relationships by reading the political equations right is a sine qua non in the times we live in. This possibly explains the success of a Saurav Ganguly. Dravid had the attitude and the work ethic. He also and a modicum of talent and an astute and technically refined cricketing brain. He was also a well behaved professional who could never be faulted for his behavior. Yet he lacked the political savvy and the emotional intelligence that Ganguly had. Ganguly therefore, was a much more effective captain and player than Dravid, in spite of serious drawbacks in his technique and even in his attitude and work ethic. Dhoni is another example of excellence and success.He has only limited talent, but is very adaptive and strong when it comes to emotional intelligence, networking and reading the political equation right. He staved off challenges from Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh and still calls the shots. He also has the unique advantage of a cool temperament and is never seen as egoistical in his dealings. He seems to be unconcerned about results and seizes opportunities. Luck also seems to be on his side :)
The moral of the story seems to be as it says in the Bhagvat Geetha:
A) Attitude
Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachna
Karmaphalehtur bhurma te sangostvakarmani.
which means
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action। Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.
As Harsha says .. we need to focus on the process and getting it right, the results take care of themselves. Have a goal and a plan of action to achieve it. The focus should be on executing it and in the now. The end result will take care of itself. "Get the runs and the dollars will come " !
'Living the moment' , 'enjoying what you do' and 'being in the now' , the journey is as important as the destination are all offshoots of this premise:)
B) Having a mentor and a Godfather.
Harsha does not say this. I am mentioning this from experience. Sachin had Gavaskar as a mentor and Mark Telly of World tel, who managed his career. Arjuna had Krishna. Most industry leaders have had a godfather or a mentor who pulled them along. Politics is inevitable. Even if you mind your own business, you end up being a political factor: Finding someone to look up to and ensuring that you work for him is a career strategy that may yield dividends in the long run. Irrespective of the company, it is the boss who can make or break your career and affect your life day in and day out. Never loose a good boss if you find one. Make sure he grows and you should grow too.:)
C) Networking:
Many call this being a "team player". Playing the 'non-striker' and taking your 'catches' when the team is bowling and making the "other guy look good" is a currency to use and something to focus on. Negotiators call this the win - win equation!! Striking this equation is easier said than done and that is where people skills come in. The trick is in ensuring that you are not taken for granted and can call in the social debts when required. Having such social investments, results in being able to influence behaviour and results in social power and effectiveness :)
D) "Living life on your terms" is a nice line in an advertisement. It does not happen in life. Get real. Compromise or Cooperate, is the name of the game ("kindly adjust")and the smart ones know where the line should be drawn so that success is not traded for ethics, self -respect and happiness. Breaking the law in pursuit of success is a folly some make, regret it and they pay for it all their lives and sometimes with their lives. Being reasonable, flexible and adapting to situations is the mantra here and keeping the ego out of the equation, helps.
Lastly actions speak louder than words and therefore it ends here
:)
An interesting presentation by Harsha Bhogle, which is insightful and gives you a possible explanation as to why kids who topped the class, never topped it in life and the talented hotshots never took the winner's podium and why it is that we find ourselves applauding the supposedly "mediocre",or as a teenager once told me at the gym.. "why is it that, it is the #@%+, who always gets the girl and has the BMW"?
If you are short of time, go to part II and to the 7th minute of the presentation, where he talks about, the importance of talent in achieving excellence. He mentions how people who are talented, always depend on talent to see them through and when it does not, they are lost and rarely are able to bounce back. To me this was one of the most significant points he made.
I have seen many talented people who studied with me and who worked with me, who never reached the heights they could have and should have. It was not merely luck that explained it. There were other issues. Harsha mentions attitude and work ethic. He contrasts Vinod Kambli with Sachin Tendulkar. I however think that is too simplistic. I believe, emotional intelligence and the ability to network and form successful relationships by reading the political equations right is a sine qua non in the times we live in. This possibly explains the success of a Saurav Ganguly. Dravid had the attitude and the work ethic. He also and a modicum of talent and an astute and technically refined cricketing brain. He was also a well behaved professional who could never be faulted for his behavior. Yet he lacked the political savvy and the emotional intelligence that Ganguly had. Ganguly therefore, was a much more effective captain and player than Dravid, in spite of serious drawbacks in his technique and even in his attitude and work ethic. Dhoni is another example of excellence and success.He has only limited talent, but is very adaptive and strong when it comes to emotional intelligence, networking and reading the political equation right. He staved off challenges from Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh and still calls the shots. He also has the unique advantage of a cool temperament and is never seen as egoistical in his dealings. He seems to be unconcerned about results and seizes opportunities. Luck also seems to be on his side :)
The moral of the story seems to be as it says in the Bhagvat Geetha:
A) Attitude
Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachna
Karmaphalehtur bhurma te sangostvakarmani.
which means
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action। Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.
As Harsha says .. we need to focus on the process and getting it right, the results take care of themselves. Have a goal and a plan of action to achieve it. The focus should be on executing it and in the now. The end result will take care of itself. "Get the runs and the dollars will come " !
'Living the moment' , 'enjoying what you do' and 'being in the now' , the journey is as important as the destination are all offshoots of this premise:)
B) Having a mentor and a Godfather.
Harsha does not say this. I am mentioning this from experience. Sachin had Gavaskar as a mentor and Mark Telly of World tel, who managed his career. Arjuna had Krishna. Most industry leaders have had a godfather or a mentor who pulled them along. Politics is inevitable. Even if you mind your own business, you end up being a political factor: Finding someone to look up to and ensuring that you work for him is a career strategy that may yield dividends in the long run. Irrespective of the company, it is the boss who can make or break your career and affect your life day in and day out. Never loose a good boss if you find one. Make sure he grows and you should grow too.:)
C) Networking:
Many call this being a "team player". Playing the 'non-striker' and taking your 'catches' when the team is bowling and making the "other guy look good" is a currency to use and something to focus on. Negotiators call this the win - win equation!! Striking this equation is easier said than done and that is where people skills come in. The trick is in ensuring that you are not taken for granted and can call in the social debts when required. Having such social investments, results in being able to influence behaviour and results in social power and effectiveness :)
D) "Living life on your terms" is a nice line in an advertisement. It does not happen in life. Get real. Compromise or Cooperate, is the name of the game ("kindly adjust")and the smart ones know where the line should be drawn so that success is not traded for ethics, self -respect and happiness. Breaking the law in pursuit of success is a folly some make, regret it and they pay for it all their lives and sometimes with their lives. Being reasonable, flexible and adapting to situations is the mantra here and keeping the ego out of the equation, helps.
Lastly actions speak louder than words and therefore it ends here
:)
Friday, October 22, 2010
India as a "Soft Power": Shashi Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor may not have proved to be a good Member of Parliament or even a Foreign Minister, but in academia he seems to find his groove. This speech at TED is a perfect example of exhaustive research, excellent editorial skills, fabulous felicity with words and an impeccable diction. For those who are trend spotting, this one is a little gem on India.
Shashi Tharoor: Why nations should pursue "soft" power | Video on TED.com
Shashi Tharoor: Why nations should pursue "soft" power | Video on TED.com
Creative Coincidence, Plagiarism, Inspiration or Adaptation? Skoda - Is it Fab?
Way back in 2002 an advertisement was done for BHIMA Jewellers in Trivandrum promoting solitaire diamonds. BHIMA was a revered and traditional name in Trivandrum and was patronized for generations by some of the older and established families. The ad is attached below:
The Headline says : Shout with a whisper and the body copy says "They say old money whispers, while new money shouts. Make your point with our solitaires collection. Bhima, for those who know better."
his was blogged and uploaded into my portfolio in .http://vinodnatesansportfolio.blogspot.com/2008/04/2002-2005-mayan-consultants.html
Going by web analytic data, the blog has been viewed by almost 9700 people. It was also uploaded on the afaqs creative showcase almost a year ago and has been viewed by more than 195 people.
BHIMA JEWELLERS SOLITAIRE DIAMOND DONE BY MAYAN CONSULTANTS- VINOD NATESAN
I was therefore shocked to see an ad last week for Skoda Fabia done by Saints and Warriors titled "Style shouts, pedigree whispers' which seems to be quite similar in intent and approach to the ad that I had done in 2002 for Bhima Jewellers. It then talks about lineage in the body copy. The advertisement that appeared in the Economic Times of 15th October 2010 for the brand Skoda Fabia. This has the key number of Saints and Warriors (SAW/SKODA956-10).
While I do admit that creative coincidences are unavoidable and this one seems to be "inspired" and almost "imitated",there is possibly a second opinion also, that even if inspired, it is an adaptation and therefore acceptable. I frankly don't know. I guess the jury is out on this one.
Anyway, as far as aggrieved parties go, I don't seem to be in a club of one. A writer overseas also is in this august group and in her case, the accused is the editor of one of the most respected weeklies in India :)
http://www.slate.com/id/2271859/?from=rss&ref=nf
Some interesting comments have started comming in. This link is dedicated to plagiarism or copy cat advertising:)
http://bloganubis.com/category/copy-cat-ads/
DECEMBER 5TH 2010 - UPDATE
Post this blog and social media posts, Saints and Warriors have changed the Skoda advertising. We salute the gesture and are grateful to Pushpinder Singh for making the effort and doing the right thing.
creative-coincidence-or-plagiarism Skoda Fabia Revised ad
The Headline says : Shout with a whisper and the body copy says "They say old money whispers, while new money shouts. Make your point with our solitaires collection. Bhima, for those who know better."
his was blogged and uploaded into my portfolio in .http://vinodnatesansportfolio.blogspot.com/2008/04/2002-2005-mayan-consultants.html
Going by web analytic data, the blog has been viewed by almost 9700 people. It was also uploaded on the afaqs creative showcase almost a year ago and has been viewed by more than 195 people.
BHIMA JEWELLERS SOLITAIRE DIAMOND DONE BY MAYAN CONSULTANTS- VINOD NATESAN
I was therefore shocked to see an ad last week for Skoda Fabia done by Saints and Warriors titled "Style shouts, pedigree whispers' which seems to be quite similar in intent and approach to the ad that I had done in 2002 for Bhima Jewellers. It then talks about lineage in the body copy. The advertisement that appeared in the Economic Times of 15th October 2010 for the brand Skoda Fabia. This has the key number of Saints and Warriors (SAW/SKODA956-10).
While I do admit that creative coincidences are unavoidable and this one seems to be "inspired" and almost "imitated",there is possibly a second opinion also, that even if inspired, it is an adaptation and therefore acceptable. I frankly don't know. I guess the jury is out on this one.
Anyway, as far as aggrieved parties go, I don't seem to be in a club of one. A writer overseas also is in this august group and in her case, the accused is the editor of one of the most respected weeklies in India :)
http://www.slate.com/id/2271859/?from=rss&ref=nf
Some interesting comments have started comming in. This link is dedicated to plagiarism or copy cat advertising:)
http://bloganubis.com/category/copy-cat-ads/
DECEMBER 5TH 2010 - UPDATE
Post this blog and social media posts, Saints and Warriors have changed the Skoda advertising. We salute the gesture and are grateful to Pushpinder Singh for making the effort and doing the right thing.
creative-coincidence-or-plagiarism Skoda Fabia Revised ad
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Indian Economics and Politics:The Bihar Story
Ever since the Government of Nitish Kumar came to power, the State of Bihar has been on the path to progress. It used to be famous for kidnappings, caste wars and lawlessness and its people started migrating out in large numbers leading to unrest in cities like Mumbai. Things have changed dramatically and with an improvement in law and order, the economy of the State has grown rapidly.
This link provides you with the details.
http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4483599
This link provides you with the details.
http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4483599
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Indian Culture: Hindu Religious Practices: Sahasranamas. Lalitha Sahasranama
17th October 2010
I consider myself an agnostic, however, I do find myself dabbling in religious thought and spiritual pursuits.. I do not practice most rituals except to be part of a group and to join in when family members get together. I realize the social function that these rituals perform and respect it for that.
Today is VijayDashmi, which falls after the 9 day Navratri festival. It is also celebrated all over North India as Dussehra . While Vijay dashmi and Dussehra are celebrated for various reasons, the common theme is the victory of good over evil. In the North, it is believed that Lord Rama vanquished Ravana and in the East, it denotes the killing of the demon Mahisha by Goddess Durga.
During Navratri, it is common to hear prayers in praise of the female form which is worshiped as Goddess Saraswati( Goddess of learning), Lakshmi ( Goddess of Wealth) and Durga (Destroyer of Evil). Sankaracharya, the renowned philosopher saint who expounded the thesis of Advaita, composed the Lalitha Sahasranama which is a 1000 name evocation of the female Goddess Lalitha ( a version of Goddess Durga) who is described as the consort of Lord Kameshawara, a form of Lord Shiva. I always felt that there was an allegorical truth behind this prayer and my cousin provided it. Lalitha Shasranama, has a nama which goes thus, "Kameshwara, mukhaloka kalpitha Shree Ganeshwara". It suggests that Vigneshwara, or Lord Ganesha the destroyer of obstacles, was born, when Shiva or Kameshwara, looked at the face of the Universe( mukha aloka) and decreed(kalpitha), the birth of Vigneshwara. The implication, I think is that if one were to contemplate the Universe and try to be one with it, the key to removing obstacles, manifests itself. Vigneshwara incidentally also overcomes "ignorance"( the rat). I believe this to be true. On many occasions problems which were vexing, have been solved when one has thought about it dispassionately and sometimes it manifests itself in what someone says innocently about something that is completely unrelated. I guess things sometimes happen when you let them and don't force them:) The eternal truth is not to be hung upon results and cosequences, but to do things with joy, playfully, savoring the task and with complete presence of mind... the power of now... Kameshwara mukhaloka kalpitha .. shree ganeshwara....
The link below gives you all that you need to know about the Lalitha Sahasranamam
http://www.scribd.com/doc/21737584/Sree-Lalitha-Sahasranama-Stotram
I consider myself an agnostic, however, I do find myself dabbling in religious thought and spiritual pursuits.. I do not practice most rituals except to be part of a group and to join in when family members get together. I realize the social function that these rituals perform and respect it for that.
Today is VijayDashmi, which falls after the 9 day Navratri festival. It is also celebrated all over North India as Dussehra . While Vijay dashmi and Dussehra are celebrated for various reasons, the common theme is the victory of good over evil. In the North, it is believed that Lord Rama vanquished Ravana and in the East, it denotes the killing of the demon Mahisha by Goddess Durga.
During Navratri, it is common to hear prayers in praise of the female form which is worshiped as Goddess Saraswati( Goddess of learning), Lakshmi ( Goddess of Wealth) and Durga (Destroyer of Evil). Sankaracharya, the renowned philosopher saint who expounded the thesis of Advaita, composed the Lalitha Sahasranama which is a 1000 name evocation of the female Goddess Lalitha ( a version of Goddess Durga) who is described as the consort of Lord Kameshawara, a form of Lord Shiva. I always felt that there was an allegorical truth behind this prayer and my cousin provided it. Lalitha Shasranama, has a nama which goes thus, "Kameshwara, mukhaloka kalpitha Shree Ganeshwara". It suggests that Vigneshwara, or Lord Ganesha the destroyer of obstacles, was born, when Shiva or Kameshwara, looked at the face of the Universe( mukha aloka) and decreed(kalpitha), the birth of Vigneshwara. The implication, I think is that if one were to contemplate the Universe and try to be one with it, the key to removing obstacles, manifests itself. Vigneshwara incidentally also overcomes "ignorance"( the rat). I believe this to be true. On many occasions problems which were vexing, have been solved when one has thought about it dispassionately and sometimes it manifests itself in what someone says innocently about something that is completely unrelated. I guess things sometimes happen when you let them and don't force them:) The eternal truth is not to be hung upon results and cosequences, but to do things with joy, playfully, savoring the task and with complete presence of mind... the power of now... Kameshwara mukhaloka kalpitha .. shree ganeshwara....
The link below gives you all that you need to know about the Lalitha Sahasranamam
http://www.scribd.com/doc/21737584/Sree-Lalitha-Sahasranama-Stotram
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