Mile sur Mera Tumhara. Did it?

Before you read please see the full version of the song here :

http://www.zoomtv.in/videos/India-sings-again-with-launch-of-Phir-Mile-Sur/8266

In You Tube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gstRrEmTcBc



"Did Sur actually Mila?" in the latest version of the Mile Sur mera tumhara? To make it short and to the point I would say: NO! It has made it so filmy and too plastic for my liking.

The new version  percussions dominates the epic song and dissected and shamelessly replaced  Lata Mangeshkar melodic rendition with  Deepika Pudokone's long legs,  lip syncing to the lyrics sung by some playback singers ( quite living up to its title, 'Mile Sur Mera tumhara'), common man with film actors ( more bollywood and namesake south)  and  compromised many of  India's  beautiful landscapes for film studios with actors doing their normal filmy slow motion gestures.

Bringing the younger Shankars, the Aman Ali's, Krishnamurthis, Shivkumar & Yesudas, dance maestro Shobhana and few other iconic artists was the only reprieve in this video.
 The video ends with few glimpses of our defense forces and few new sportsmen who made it big with their own effort and not from the support of the nation.

 After watching it I have ended up in questions.

Why Shahid Kapoor did did his Kaminey act in the song? Why did Shah Rukh Khan reenact his 1 billion Airtel pose? Why did Aamir khan tried to mix "aey"from  aati kya kandala song & education theme together?  How Sharmila shitty did became the face for alternate energy in India?  If they could avoid 37 year old Sachin Tendulkar from the song, why didn't they ignore the junior Bachhan and junior Bachhans old wife? Where are the farmers of India in it whose contribution matters to this Nation and whose food we all eat? What about Chaurasia and our own Indian Flute go? Why was ehsaan playing an unplugged electric guitar in the middle of nowhere?  Why rural India was completely ignored in the video? Where did our Peacock, Tiger, Lotus and Ashoka chakra go?  Why did it not represent India's North East frontiers? Where is that symbol of Indian-ism which the director wanted younger generation to associate it with?

The Sur didn't actually 'mila' in this attempt. It’s a complete disaster. it cleanly looks like the members of Times of India Camp got an opportunity to  participate in a music video and anyone who was not part of the camp was taken out in this "pseudo national unity video."  Only 15 cities of India were captured for this video and   it’s a shame to even prove the point that the cities, the bollywood babes and hunks hold the identity of my Country. 

shabad kirtan in Ashram

I know its too late to share these, but got hold of the photographs today...

The Shabad kirtan in the Art of Living Ashram was held on the 19th of June 2009. It was mesmerizing. According to the instructions by Guruji, the ashram obeyed all rules of singing the Kirtan. Every single person had covered their head. The Kirtan was devoid of clapping, which was yet another unique aspect and something new for ashramites :) . The Gurudwara Of bangalore, President and Secretary along with Sikh Families in Bangalore were also present for the kirtan. Guruji, the day before the Kirtan, gave a commentary on Ik Onkar too.


The Ashram Kitchen also prepared Langar Prasad and the main Cook of the Gurudwara in collaboration with Ashram kitchen made the dinner for the evening.

for any press enquiry contact : media(dot)coordinator(@)artofliving(dot)org

Sri Sri Playing the Piano

his fingers moves so very fast. he played the song " nataraj shubhakara" in it... with uncanny knack. With his resplendent smile and stage presence made it an evening to remember.

Art of Livings historic musical symphony in Pune

2750 classical vocalists enthrall a live audience of over 2 lakhs.

Bangalore. January 13, 2010: Art of Living hosted a historic symphony - Antarnaad - in Pune today, bringing over 2750 Indian classical vocalists together on one platform, to write a new chapter in the history of music.

Conceived by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spiritual and humanitarian leader and Founder, Art of Living, the aim of Antarnaad was to showcase the vast repertoire of Hindustani classical music as well as to provide a platform for the exponents of this ancient Indian art.

Stating that classical music and spirituality are among the most definitive and unique offerings India can make to the world, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said, “Spirituality and music together can uplift people, get them out of depression and help them start a new life with enthusiasm. For a stress-free life, you have to embrace both these facets (spirituality and music).”


Musicians from across the country, celebrity singers like Shankar Mahadevan and renowned names like Pt Rajan & Sajan Misra were also part of this event. Shankar Mahadevan said, “These days, we hear that Hindustani Classical music is on a decline. But looking at this crowd, would you believe this?”


Dy CM of Maharashtra, Shri Chaggan Bhujbal said, “It is a matter of pride for Maharashtra to have this symphony in the cradle of Hindustani classical music. When these people sing together, it sounds like a plea for peace and non-violence.”

The singers who were perched on a mammoth 27,000 square feet stage sang exquisite compositions, based on ancient ragas in the Gandharva Veda, namely, Shree, Purya Dhanashree, Des, Basant Bahar, Chandrakaus, Shankara, Kalavati, Janasammohini and Bhoop, enthralling a live audience of over 2 lakh people.

Present at the event, were numerous dignatories, politicians, celebrities, businessmen and corporate heads including Shri Chaggan Bhujbal, Dy CM Maharashtra, Shri Gopinath Munde, Dy Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Shri Narayan Rane, Revenue Minister Maharashtra, Shri R R Patil Home minister, Maharashtra, among others.

Antarnaad is the grandest in the Art of Living tradition of showcasing ancient Indian arts on one platform. The Art of Living had earlier entered the Guinness Book of World Records with 1200 Mohiniattam dancers performing together on one stage in Kerala in 2006 and for its historic sitar concert titled Brahmnaad in New Delhi in Nov 2008, which brought together over 1000 sitar exponents, in aid of the Bihar Relief and rehabilitation.
The evening actually lived and reminded of the good old  "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara" days.

Pic Caption: 2750 Hindustani Classical Singers performing on the stage together at Antarnaad. For Media Enquiries and for more details of Art of Livings contribution towards India's Music, Contact : media[dot]coordinator[@]artofliving[dot]org

Anti Smoking Rally by SSRVM

Tiny Tots Voice Protest against Smoking

Bangalore: Over Hundred children from SSRVM school along with teachers took part in a Anti Smoking Rally that was held in Koramangala BDA complex, Forum Mall and Raheja Arcade.
The event formed as part of the value education project for the school. It was held under the banner: “Stop Smoking, Start Living”. Children also gave pamphlets to the passersby informing them about the Art of Living’s de- addiction programs that would help smokers to kick the Habit in just 6 days.
“Through such events and value based educations, the harms of smoking get embedded in children and they also become a vehicle for spreading awareness”, said Reshma Ganesh, Principal, SSRVM School. “We look forward to conducting more such awareness programmes, that will build value among children”, she added.



Clicking with my 350d after real long time

Guruji - Avatar - fancy Dress competition

all courtesy to his fans, who make special costumes for him... The king of Happy Times!
:)

Riddhi maglani

With my glasses

Yes plus advance course

1900 youngsters from 21 countries attended this winter break 2009. Started on 26th and it ends today. .