#bhajan movies

[bhagavanbhakthi]

Hanuman holding Jai Shri Ram placard

[vandekrsnaa]

Vandekrsna Foundation presents Film Yogi Vs Bhogi Starring Art of Living singer Siddharth Mohan, Dr. Kiran Bedi also makes a guest appearance Film explores spiritual solutions to problems like corruption, female fortitude etc. So Yogi Bano ya Bhogi ya fir Rogi Choice is Yours. Pls Watch more spiritual films on vandekrsna channel on YouTube and subscribe to our channel..

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[chaeng-the-world]

so for me, desi light academia is:

- reading desi literature (obviously)

- watching Satyajeet Ray films, and other acclaimed movies of the olden times, regardless of languages

- learning desi languages! tamil and urdu and sanskrit and gujarati and bengali and everything! reading poems and books in these languages!

- celebration of festivals <3, singing and dancing to folk songs, bhajans, sufi songs, gospels, keeping fasts for ramzan or shraavan, wearing traditional clothes with traditional ornaments. kajal!!!

- cooking desi dishes! dal makhani, and rasam saadam and bisi bela baath and naan and dal baati and everything!

- casually wearing traditional clothes! there should be no special occasion for wearing an anarkali!

- self care? indulging in applying multani mitti masks, and gulab jal for toner, and all the hairmasks your grandmother might make at home

- lighting candles? how about diya for a change!

- journaling in your mother tongue instead of english. it can be another desi language as well!

- if you're religious, read religious texts. explore indus valley civilisation and the cholas and cheras and philosophies of the old

- about mindfulness, isn't rangoli and mehendi almost therepy?

celebrate your culture and go ahead in your academic life as well!

[pearlgisa]

qala and the style over substance argument

so, i watched qala (dir. by anvita dutt) immediately when it came out - a story that exposed the music industry and the position of women in it, especially focusing on the toxic nature of indian classical music? it was like they made the film for me (someone who's spent a good chunk of their life trained in hindustani classical music). however, i was sorely disappointed.

in essence, qala, along with other films that did commercially well that came out in bollywood last year, solidified my understanding that the audience of today's generation of movie-watchers genuinely puts style over substance and in fact, uses it as a way to defend their favourite movies from criticism. the recent resurgence of praise for om shanti om of all films, only strengthened this opinion.

my criticisms for qala are in plenty, yet i will choose to expand on the ones that strike out the most to me, all of which range from the lightest to the harshest criticism:

the choice of music

the acting

the direction + writing

the handling of the serious issues that are the main theme of the film

before you read ahead, please know that there are spoilers.

in indian classical music, there are two distinct forms: hindustani (or, north indian) and carnatic (or south indian) music. each have their differences and similarities and even someone who hasn't trained can tell them apart upon listening. within hindustani music - which is the genre of music that qala learns from her mother - you have many different styles of singing, ranging from shastriya sangeet (classical form of singing) to laghu sangeet (semi-classical and sometimes, light music). of course, this categorization also has its roots in religion and caste. shastriya sangeet has forms of singing like dhrupad (the oldest form and a strictly devotional medium), khyal (the most common one, telling tales or speaking of human emotions), bhajan (also a devotional medium), etc.

laghu sangeet has forms of classical music like the thumri, a form of singing popularized and invented by courtesans. the lyrics were sensual, romantic and more explicit. of course, owing to these, they were looked down upon. even the british had a huge role in diminishing the status of indian women performers. the "other woman" concept was specifically one that they propagated and the rise of the "perfect housewife" phenomena began since the seventeenth century. the extreme effect of that? the courtesans lost out on their patrons and were forced into prostitution.

hence, that was the primary history behind qala's mother, urmila, shaming her into never being a performer, i.e, in a more derogatory term, a "singing girl". a courtesan, essentially. which is accurate, considering the film is set in the 1940s. if a girl was too "out there in the world", i.e, her achievements being publicised in newspapers or her getting recognition for her academics, her future marital prospects were ruined. and the "shame" that befell the family if she was learning music or dance was worse. a significant number of the prominent female musicians that emerged from this era of pre-independence to post-independence were unmarried. or they had many patrons and salacious rumours regarding their love life were in plenty. the film pakeezah (1972) explores such themes quite well. and the many renditions and retellings of devdas also serve as a good example of the stature of performing women.

however, it's the music itself where it goes wrong for me. the choice of songs as well as qala's singing (of course, all of qala's songs are sung by the amazing sireesha bhagavatula), is in a style all too similar to laghu singing. the years of egregious training, no matter how much her mother dismissed her, would've developed a voice which would've sounded a lot more like what a lot of classical singers would sound like, unless they were singing a lighter form of singing. and it isn't a matter of pitch or using falsetto. qala's mom is referred to as a master of qawallis, which is a sufi form of devotional singing (and comes well under hindustani music too). even the lyrics of qala's songs, while full of very obvious foreshadowing, do not match the overall orthodox classical upbringing that the film portrays.

while bhagavatula has an amazing voice well versed in classical music (especially since she sings bhajans so often), considering the time that qala was set in, you would've expected a sound similar to something along the lines of noor jehan or even roshan ara begum. instead, it sounds a lot like a mix of semi-classical instrumental with a more pop-based voice. which is easier for our generation to digest and consume, however, it comes at the cost of a sound which is very typical of the 50s-70s era of bollywood.

one that qala does right are the costumes. they do their job well. not the sets as much, which i will get into later. at some points, they are well in line with the rest of the era of the film, other times it just sticks out like a sore thumb. here's where the "symbolism" comes in.

one of the most jarring examples is the song qala sings at the first performance, a very light classical song just by the sound of the vocals. even the song jagan sings is very contemporary at its core. despite the characters having an allegedly strict, traditional schooling of music (jagan's voice is devoid of the typical heavy accent or dialects that those who are from underprivileged backgrounds tends to have), the songs at hand present a very modern take on qawallis, despite bollywood being a flourishing ground for many iconic qawallis. therefore, the compositions sometimes falter at some points specifically because of the vocal choices. choosing to do away with alaaps, especially in qala's part, less aakar and more bariki, are all signficant details that feel jarring to someone who's lived in the world of classical music as long as qala. otherwise, there are some signature sounds retained from the era that the film is set in.

and while still on the topic of singing, a very important issue that i find least addressed is the acting of it. despite there being little vocal variations in the compositions, the actors don't show that they are singing. and in the film specifically revolving around music, that's an extremely important detail that i find amiss. hardly opening the mouth, the movement of the lips, the posture as well as the hand gestures (yes, a very important detail!), are all obvious flaws. a recent film that does that does those details well is the disciple (2020). the first scene of urmila teaching qala singing displays urmila wearing an elaborate piece of nose jewellery that covers half of her mouth, and that's when they're doing rehyaas (practice), not a performance. it's huge details like these that don't sell the film to me.

the acting is quite underwhelming and here is where disagreements with my opinions might enter. i find trupti dimri's rendition of qala extremely, for lack of politer words, exasperating. she tends to show the same expressions for all of her problems, i.e., there is no great difference between her feeling anger or feeling despair or feeling depressed or feeling cheated or just plain exhaustion. qala's character is a complex one and difficult to act, which is a concession i will give, however, the hype around her is a little unnerving when the audience is given such an unremarkable delivery of dialogues and emotion. it comes off as school-play acting at times. swastika mukherjee, who plays urmila, is quite two-note with her acting, which sometimes suits her character and sometimes just feels very low-effort. babil khan has his moments, yet there is such less versatility. you'd think the babil of qala's hallucinations and the one who existed in real life would have some distinct characteristics (which they do), but they never come off as that. it feels so half-hearted at times.

the whole point of symbolism is that it's subtle at heart and not on the face. qala has on-the-face symbolism, which is an irony in itself. the black swan scene, the frosty room in the beginning, the ghostly jagan, etc. almost made me bump my nose into a wall. it comes off as pretentious at best, as if the viewer is stupid. it is also very off-putting in some scenes. for example, the black swan scene - there is very little buildup and it feels very predictable in the sense that "it all goes downhill from here". however, there is one scene which i like, which is the gargoyle one (a very traumatic scene, for those who recall, it is the one right before ghodey pe sawaar gets recorded for the final time). i think that is the most effective filmmaking in the entire film. the best thing about symbolism is always the subtlety. it makes the viewer keep coming back to pick up on something they might have missed in the first watch, it helps them pick up the pieces along the way instead of being able to tell the twists thirty minutes before they are revealed.

and one of the most egregious crimes of the entire film is the direction. here is where we get a little more technical (but just briefly, do not worry). the way it cuts from one scene to the next is like watching a poorly edited reel put out by the team of an out-of-touch marketing firm. the editing could have been better at many places. the writing falls flat specifically when it comes to the characters. i'm pretty sure on paper, the script must've been a delight to read. the story has so much potential - considering that it's based on two books, where there might've been even more depth given to the characters - it isn't new in any way but it offers a different, feminist perspective of the indian music industry. yet, the characters are paper thin on screen - in their ambitions, psychology and sociology. hence, urmila suddenly turning a new leaf in the last ten minutes of the film is something that feels wrong, because all along, she has been portrayed as a heartless mother. qala's actions make sense because her character has nearly always been rooted in self pity and rage. jagan is nothing without music. there is very little dimension to them apart from me summarizing their characters in one sentence with less than thirty words each.

that is why, the film feels even more half-hearted when it speaks of the issues that it centers around. all of these elements add up and make for a tiring watch. i gave qala a second chance, to be fair and omitted some of my pettier criticisms, yet the more serious ones remain. to a certain extent, it does aestheticize depression, which i have a huge issue with. however, baby steps as always with bollywood. it's no dear zindagi considering it is set in a different period with a different ending. however, the writing of the characters could've been so much better. a little more exploration of urmila's intentions would've given her so much depth. a few more interactions between qala and jagan might've given qala the chance to befriend him and not just see him a rival, thus intensifying the decision she took. the characters do not feel human, they are strictly white or black and qala being the anti-hero feels very off since it requires better writing and a stronger plot. and of course, much better acting.

however, qala re-opened up discussion of a nearly-always forgotten discourse - that of the position of women in music. and for achieving that bare minimum, i give it full credit. however, when there have been films with much better writing, characterization and cinematography in bollywood itself, with a similar theme, qala needs to be seen for what it contains than what it displays. just because it glitters, doesn't mean it's gold.

[illicthearts]

I’m going to rant about Rukmini real quick

Yk it really bothers me that Rukmini isn’t remembered as much as Radha is. Like I do not understand why she is so remembered when she was in Krishna life for only ten years, eleven at most. And he was ten or eleven when he left to kill Kansa, I highly doubt a toddler was romantically involved with someone like people say. That’s like the last thing on their mind.

Although some people believe that she didn’t exist and was made up by later texts since she wasn’t mentioned in Ved Vyas’ original texts. I personally believe this or that it wasn’t a romantic relationship at all, more of a devotion or friendship, she could’ve been been his babysitter or something and he really looked up to her since she was older than him, to the point that her marriage was fixed with someone else.

But it really bothers me that people remember her the more than other wives of Krishna. Especially when she was barley in his life compared other women. And it really bothers me that people don’t even know who Rukmini is. Rukmini deserved to be remembered along with Krishna just as much as Radha. She was the one who fell in love him without even seeing him or meeting him. She only had his stories that were told to her by other people. She was the one who left her family to be with him, risking never seeing them again. She was the one who planned the whole “kidnapping” because she knew that no one but herself would be able to save her from that marriage. She was the one who had endure the separation from her first child. She was the one who shared her husband with 16107 other women, it couldn’t have been easy. And she did it happily too, something no women today would be able to do. She was the one who took care of Dwarka when Krishna was off helping the rest of the world. She was the one who assumed the form of Mahalaksmi and blessed Sudama and his family with prosperity and beauty. She was the one who held the fort and after Krishna died she was the one who made sure everyone was safely on their way with Arjuna before committing sati. Some say that Dwarka only drowned after Rukmini committed sati because it couldn’t handle being separated from its Queen. After everything she only gets one temple in Dwarka dedicated to her and that away from Krishna’s temple too, when she was the queen of Dwarka while Radha is one of the deities in the Dwarkadhish Temple. Whenever I search up Rukmini and Krishna, Radha is always there, whenever I search up murtis of Rukmini and Krishna, Radha and Krishna are the first to show up. How is that fair?

She’s barely mention in those feminist retellings of the great women of Mahabharata/Hinduism or just videos/books that talk about the awesome/underrated/or misunderstood women in Hinduism, even Gandhari gets a mention but not Rukmini. Lakshmi is sometimes excluded too. I didn’t even know about Rukmini until my parents made me watch the B.R. Chopra Mahabharata over quarantine. I absolutely fell in love with with her and it just makes me upset how people don’t recognize her enough.

Rukmini deserves this too, she deserves all the stories, the songs, the bhajans, the shows, the movies and for her name to taken before Krishna. She deserves so much better and so much more.

Vishnu’s avatar’s subjects have a habit of mistreating his wife. I’ll forever be mad at Ayodhya for questioning Sita and than being all sad after she left them. Those fake bitches had it coming. I’ll forever be mad at society for not recognizing Rukmini enough for her her kindness, and generosity.

Kashibai was right, the lover will always be more remembered than the wife. (RadheKrisha, BaijraoMastani)

And this is not to say that I do not like Radha or anything like. This is just me expressing my feelings about the worlds treatment about how she and her love is treated they the society. I know that probably they didn’t care about being remembered or anything material like that, that she was just happy being with Krishna. But doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve it, in fact that is more a of a reason she should be remembered

[janaknandini-singh999]

Manmeet headcanons coz yes

( @ezs-diary thanks to you now I can't stop thinking about Girl Krishna™ trope)

She's a punjabi kudi who's literally Geet's twin (OFC?) and has all the iconic romcom movies and dialogues memorized. Despite her bubbly, chaotic side she has a strange calming charm to her when she doesn't even need her sweet honey words to draw people in. Og srk fangirl, loves all genres of music, especially upbeat and lyricals, adores animals, fav season: spring.

Radhya: likes ghazals, lofi music, meera ke bhajan, secretly watches romantic movies (especially tragedies) and cries in her room, Manmeet finds her and Radhya would expect that she'd laugh at her but she'd just kiss her tears away, Radhya would push her away at that but secretly blush so hard, she lives in Manmeet's colony who secretly follows her everywhere, especially on shopping (even for the grocery) "WHAT are YOU doing here?" Radhya takes her to the side on the street, whispering urgently.

"Wouldn't you like me by your side always? Am I not good company?? :(" Manmeet with puppy eyes and sniffs "Ok.. if you don't want me then I will go-"

Radhya catches her wrist, looks away, then at her and sighs "It's- it's not that. It's just-"

Manmeet smiles, twisting her trapped wrist softly and wrapping its fingers around Radhya's and asks in the most innocent voice "Then what is it? Just say it hehe!"

Radhya groans, looks away and scratches her neck "Fine, you're fine."

Manmeet blinks her eyes "I couldn't hear that.. what?"

"I DO LIKE YOU."

Manmeet jumps and shrieks. Radhya going red and holding her down "Shh, what ARE YOU DOING NOW? Everyone will look at you, fool."

"LET THEM! LET THE WORLD KNOW YOU LOVE ME WOOHOOO!," Manmeet gets out of her hold "I am a fool but I'm a fool for YOUUU."

Radhya facepalms, secretly smiling.

At night, Manmeet slips by to kiss her goodnight and Radhya would be tired. She yawns and Manmeet grins "Long day?", coming to her while rubbing something in her palms "Champi time!"

Radhya would get her head and shoulder massaged and yawn again.

"You should sleep."

"Yes, I'm exhausted but I'm unable to fall asleep for some reason." Radhya grumbles and then looks over at Manmeet, smiling faintly "Kuch sunaa do?"

Manmeet beams "KYU NAHI-" clearing her throat. Suddenly, Radhya would settle herself on Manmeet's lap and close her eyes - making Manmeet blush this time before continuing. She'd hum at first building a light, dreamy tune and it'd take everything for Radhya not to dance even though the rhythm was so slow so she'd instead tap her fingers against Manmeet's thighs along with the tune, making Manmeet's breath catch and making it difficult to even begin singing now so she'd take out her flute and start playing it. Within a minute, Radhya stills into a rhythmic composure, her head buried deep and face completely hidden away in Manmeet's lap, snoring lightly. Manmeet smiles at that and kisses her forehead, pulling up the blankets on her and turning off the lights

With Vaidarbhi: loves art and poetry, analyzes controversial cinema and drama and is a sucker for old school romance, comfort movie is Shahid and Amrita's Vivah, writes secret love letters to Manmeet but delivers it herself by saying

"My brother sent this for you."

Manmeet smiles, nodding and opening it "I confess I do have an effect on people but I'm not sure your brother is one of them."

Vaidarbhi nods back, looking at the ground, turning around to leave.

"Vaidu!" Manmeet calls out

Vaidarbhi's heart skips a beat as she turns around in an instant

"Just wanna say that.. never be afraid of anything, sweetheart. I'm always with you." Manmeet winks

On the day she was getting forcibly married, her heart echoed back these words of the love of her life to her and she wrote a final love letter, revealing her true identity at last.

On the mandap just as she was taking the last phera, someone whistles loudly and calles out her name. Vaidarbhi immediately recognizes the voice and makes a run for it. Suddenly, the groom stands up and horror etches itself on Vaidarbhi. But he tears down his disguise to reveal Halveer, Manmeet's brother. "GO! I'LL TAKE CARE OF THEM." as he plunges into the crowd going wild around them.

Manmeet revs the engine of her bike as Vaidarbhi jumps on the seat behind her, crying happily and clutching her waist tightly from behind.

With Parth: he loves sports, Shreya Ghoshal and old Bollywood, meets with Manmeet regularly in the gym.

"Nice to see you here! But Mann.. you don't gym?" Parth shakes his head, his hair wet with sweat swaying in the process

"I come here for you, handsome." Manmeet whispers in his ears and giggles, knocking Parth out of his senses and freezing him as usual.

She pulls his cheeks aggressively and tightens her grip on his shoulder, trickling her hand downwards and squeezing his biceps. "Do pushups."

Parth is merely able to nod and takes his position. Suddenly, Manmeet jumps on him, almost breaking his bone.

"AAAOOOWW" he screams

"Now do it!" Manmeet says as if nothing happened

Parth smiles, suddenly forgetting all about his pain and does as he's ordered. He starts off and keeps on doing it on super speed like a machine. After dizziness strikes through, Manmeet steps up wobbling and smiles nervously, patting his head "Good boy!"

[demonkidpliz]

I’ve read almost all your work and I have to say I understand your disdain towards Radha. Like I do not understand why she is so remembered when she was in Krishna life for only ten years, eleven at most. And he was ten or eleven when he left to kill Kansa, I highly doubt a toddler was romantically involved with someone like people say. That’s like the last thing on their mind.

Although some people believe that she didn’t exist and was made up by later texts since she wasn’t mentioned in Ved Vyas’ original texts. I personally believe this or that it wasn’t a romantic relationship at all, more of a devotion or friendship, she could’ve been been his babysitter or something and he really looked up to her since she was older than him, to the point that her marriage was fixed with someone else.

But it really bothers me that people remember her the more than other wives of Krishna. Especially when she was barley in his life compared other women. And it really bothers me that people don’t even know who Rukmini is. Rukmini deserved to be remembered along with Krishna just as much as Radha. She was the one who fell in love him without even seeing him or meeting him. She only had his stories that were told to her by other people. She was the one who left her family to be with him, risking never seeing them again. She was the one who planned the whole “kidnapping” because she knew that no one but herself would be able to save her from that marriage. She was the one who had endure the separation from her first child. She was the one who shared her husband with 16107 other women, it couldn’t have been easy. And she did it happily too, something no women today would be able to do. She was the one who took care of Dwarka when Krishna was off helping the rest of the world. She was the one who assumed the form of Mahalaksmi and blessed Sudama and his family with prosperity and beauty. She was the one who held the fort and after Krishna died she was the one who made sure everyone was safely on their way with Arjuna before committing sati. Some say that Dwarka only drowned after Rukmini committed sati because it couldn’t handle being separated from its Queen. After everything she only gets one temple in Dwarka dedicated to her and that away from Krishna’s temple too, when she was the queen of Dwarka while Radha is one of the deities in the Dwarkadhish Temple. Whenever I search up Rukmini and Krishna, Radha is always there, whenever I search up murtis of Rukmini and Krishna, Radha and Krishna are the first to show up. How is that fair?

She’s barely mention in those feminist retellings of the great women of Mahabharata/Hinduism or just videos/books that talk about the awesome/underrated/or misunderstood women in Hinduism, even Gandhari gets a mention but not Rukmini. Lakshmi is sometimes excluded too. I didn’t even know about Rukmini until my parents made me watch the B.R. Chopra Mahabharata over quarantine. I absolutely fell in love with with her and it just makes me upset how people don’t recognize her enough.

Rukmini deserves this too, she deserves all the stories, the songs, the bhajans, the shows, the movies and for her name to taken before Krishna. She deserves so much better and so much more.

Vishnu’s avatar’s subjects have a habit of mistreating his wife. I’ll forever be mad at Ayodhya for questioning Sita and than being all sad after she left them. Those fake bitches had it coming. I’ll forever be mad at society for not recognizing Rukmini enough for her her kindness, and generosity.

Kashibai was right, the lover will always be more remembered than the wife. (RadheKrisha, BaijraoMastani)

Sorry for the long rant, I didn’t expect this to turn out so long. I just wanted someone would understand how feel about this and I felt like you would the best. I might just post this in my main page later

Love this! Couldn't have put it better myself. So glad you've read my stories. One day, I hope we get a book or show about Rukmini and ordinary people get to learn about her greatness. Till then, I guess we make do our mytho fiction.

[nityarawal]

Is it too late to have a coming of age experience at 39 after two kids, a husband, and a career in Real estate?

I had the most amazing 40th birthday weekend. I thought I would write all my friends and see if anyone wanted to go to Esalen with me- this is a hot springs in Northern CA that I've been wanting to go to for my whole life! Just a massage is pricey and to go for the whole weekend was over $750 but I thought I would throw it out there. I didn't really care who I saw while there. I just knew I wanted to enjoy it with friends. I didn't have the nerve to go to a spa where everyone swims naked without any friends or family. I had 4 takers.  Several good friends committed. We tried to decide which workshop to do. I was thinking to do one on songwriting and bhajans when my friend Tess suggested the creativity workshop. At first I thought that one was so ambivalent...I know about creativity and my own process. I've been doing TM my whole life after all and I know how to tap that place. The truth is I rarely do any creative writing anymore which is what I have my degree in though. I wasn't looking for a revival though, but more than anything a chance to soak in the hot springs next to the crashing pacific waves in good company. Tess suggested this Josh Radnor workshop, "he's the guy in ‘How I met your mother!’" 

"Oh," I said. Yes I remembered him...I actually didn't know which character at first but my favorite was Ted Mosby and was delighted that is actually Josh Radnor. She also said that David Newman was teaching it with him and was famous in LA for his amazing yoga studio. It sounded like this was the course to do! So I called up Esalen and managed to switch workshops and got two of my friends to switch with me. Tess had known of Josh also because he'd been on ER and her husband was a writer/director of the show. Unfortunately she didn't end up coming on that special weekend because her hubby had a intensive writing weekend planned and she needed to be in back up support with the kids but I'm forever grateful she intervened and tipped us off on where to go!

I worked until the minute I left practically- emailing and tying up loose ends on a real estate deal. I was concerned my client would miss me for two days being off the grid and not reachable by phone. I assured her it was actually only one day that I would be totally gone since Friday and Sunday I would be travelling and could be reached. I could tell she was a little panicky about it but luckily her daughter had the same birthday as me and she had also planned to go and visit her in Portland. I felt a little foolish going to this workshop without knowing too much about Josh Radnor other than his role in HIMYM so I did a little homework late at night before I left and read some reviews and interviews with him about his movies. I decided to download the first one he did- ‘Happythankyoumoreplease.’

The trip to Esalen was loooong! I thought I would fly- only an hours flight- and get there early with time to relax and enjoy the facilities. I was expected to arrive at noon and my friends were going to pick me up. We'd have lunch somewhere glorious along the ocean enroute. I was so excited! I left my house at 9:30am but my flight was postponed and postponed. I called another friend to pick me up who was also driving down from the bay area and let the other two go ahead and have lunch etc. Danielle somehow got lost en-route though and then stopped somewhere for directions and left her handbag, so had to go back, and finally got to me around 4pm. No worries, I sat in the airport watching the rest of Josh's first movie, ‘Happythankyoumoreplease.' I had started it on the airplane and I was savoring all of it. He wrote, directed and acted in it. It felt like a first movie yet it was so sweet and I was excited to see Malin Ackerman in it as well. I just knew when she said this line about how an Indian taxi driver told her if she got something she liked in life to just say, "more please," that there was a spiritual message and I was in for a treat but still no idea how special Josh Radnor would be.

Danielle arrived when I had 20 minutes left and I kept pausing to tie up loose ends up on my Real Estate deal back home too. Last conversations with my transaction coordinator, my client and broker before I checked out for two days. I was so excited and didn't want to be chatting or negotiating on one of my favorite coastal drives down to Big Sur with a dear old friend that I hadn't seen in several years. No, we had fabulous talks about sex and caught totally up. My magical girls' weekend had begun and the smells of eucalyptus trees and ocean was intoxicating. We couldn't resist stopping at Nepentheon- one of the great restaurants of Big Sur- even though we were only a half hour away and had paid for a wonderful dinner at Esalen. The sun was setting the view was spectacular! We indulged in some tapas and a glass of wine, I got the last of my messages before my phone died and we were on our way out of reception.

We arrived into a pitch dark place. The guard keepers of Esalen said they couldn't tell us where our other friends were staying- some strange policy and that we'd have to leave a note on the bulletin for them. So we thought we'd quickly check in and get to our workshops. We were given flashlights and navigated halfway across the resort to our different classes. Danielle was trying out some metaphysical mind over matter one but later switched to my course on sat after I told her how great it was. I showed up late and felt a bit battered from my long and harrowing day. I wished I was fresher for this first meeting but was too excited to lose any more time. Our meeting was in a yurt next to the ocean and we all introduced ourselves that night. I didn't say where I was from but David and Josh seemed interested that I did TM and they both had learned too but seemed to be onto other things. I mentioned what a great tool it had been for me and they agreed while others in the group expressed their curiosity. That first night was intimate- with only 20 or 30 people in the yurt. I didn't know where my other friends were but I enjoyed sitting there alone... I told the group that we were there celebrating my BIG birthday. For me this was so special. It was such a treat to be there whereas I felt like many of the people who were there had no idea how special Josh was and were even further behind than I was in watching his shows! Many didn't even know about HIMYM! They were just simple folks, many once hippies, coming to enjoy Esalen. Although one woman was an editor from San Francisco with a big publisher and had read his biography! Oh, how I would love to get my hands on that book! She said it was really good and Josh shared his reasons for not publishing it. He said he did things that he'd rather not go public on- he takes his role as a leader and role-model very seriously and doesn't drink, swear or go to strip clubs and is super into his shakti and spiritual path.

We did some chanting and bhajans after the introduction and my heart felt open as I set there on my cushion with no backrest rocking to the music, my spine unwinding and kept accidentally catching Josh's eye. It was a magical evening!

When I got back to my room Danielle said her meeting was OK and that she'd switch to my class because I was very floored and excited about the weekend ahead even though I hadn't planned to do too much of the workshop in my pursuit of hot water. As we were talking Hollie and Mona popped up! It turned out they were in the room next to ours! This seemed like such a gift since the stern Esalen Heralds had not been willing to share their location. We laughed and talked all giddy to see each other but they were tired and had been enjoying the grounds for hours- they'd had their massages, soaked, a divine vegetarian dinner and walked the grounds. I was a little jealous but didn't want to miss out on lost time so Danielle and I headed to the pools and decided sleep was not the priority. We soaked until about 11;30 in the waxing moonlight. We tried the silent Roman pools and enjoyed the meditative atmosphere but Danielle wanted to chat so we went to the other pools. Each pool was so completely glorius. We moved to these pools outside but under the verandas that were open to the crashing waves below. I'd never been in such a beautiful spring in my life and my heart was soaring with the experience. I felt so completely blessed. I couldn't stop smiling. This was the best present I'd ever received and I was savoring every moment of it- I couldn't believe that 3 dear friends were willing to share this with me too! Danielle and I had lovely talks and had a lot of privacy with only a few others there. We tried several different pools and finally were too tired to soak more so showered and headed up the dark paths home. The hills and stairs were a work out and we arrived to our room out of breath and exhausted but in a fantastically good delicious way. I knew my itunes movie was going to expire and I hadn't finished it but I was too tired, and only had about 20 minutes left, so just hoped I'd find time the next day.

Saturday we had a plan to meet HOllie and Mona for breakfast. We had a lovely meal in a corner and I had to sample every food they had so took tiny portions- all was glorious and different for me- I had miso soup- which I've never had for breakfast with kim chi. Mona said the granola was unreal so I had a smidgeon of that with yogurt. They had stewed prunes- which I thought was genius since hot springs for some odd reason are constipating. We enjoyed a couple of cups of coffee and tea and every turn I took around the dining room, Josh seemed to appear next to me in his hoodie with bed head- which is his signature look. God, it was unsettling. I tried to smile and be casual but he has a grumpy morning face. I must have almost bumped into him about 10 times! I couldn't believe it and wanted to yak about the crazy experience with my girlfriends but the lunchroom felt too small for such indulgences. They didn't even know who he was or had seen his shows so they weren't very excited in the same way. Although they appreciated how cute he was! This seemed to be my magical universe. 

Mona said I must get a massage- that they were glorious and I owed it to myself to get one for my bday. Her and HOllie were getting theirs for the second day in a row! Danielle and I headed into the reception to make our reservation and guess who was beside me also requesting something? Josh. God I had butterflies. I get funny around celebrities and very excited so this was all just a bit too much! I wished I had someone who could relate. The most my girls could offer was that he was cute. 

Mona was super excited to see my message on the board and instagrammed it to Facebook.

Then we all walked joyously up the path to class. It was like a dream...gorgeous flowers blooming everywhere...my friends looked so beautiful and I just wanted to hang out and take photos but was also very excited about our workshop which we were rapidly late for. Esalen is like a '60's commune though- it radiates love and peace and it's hard to believe this magical place still exists in this day and age! We wound our way up to our class and it was sparkling in the day light. I had gotten lost winding up there the night before passing houses and walking through forests but in the light of day I could see the school garden, the school bus converted into a class and granted myself a few pictures of the girls. One of Hollie under an arch of metal she wanted to recreate in her garden. I felt proud to have my friends in class with me that morning. We all sat in the back row and they didn't get the proper introduction but I did whisper that Hollie was a Scorpio since we'd all shared our signs the night before.

Holl's and Mona don't have the best backs so even though they got back jacks their backs were suffering by the end of the lesson. I felt like this yoga energy was coursing through me and I didn't mind not having the support. I was really getting into the Bhajans. I felt like my heart was opening wide and those silly feelings of catching Josh looking at me, like a girl in school- like my sparkle must be on and my inner light shining out. Hollie, Mona and I were giddy that day laughing and giggling catching each others eyes just thrilled to be on our retreat! After class as we were walking out I mentioned to Josh that I'd love to see Liberal Arts and asked if we were going to watch any of his movies. He said maybe. That afternoon I arrived a bit late after my gorgeous massage- this was one of the best massages I'd ever had- I lay naked with one wall open to the pacific, the warm air and sunlight glowing in and felt the feathery hands of a woman perform some Asian combination massage indigenous to Esalen. I could see why HOllie and Mona had to get one of these two days in a row and felt like this massage I almost stingily didn't get might have been one of the best I'd ever had. She cocooned me afterwards in towels and I could've slept there all afternoon but only allowed myself a few minutes because I didn't want to miss a moment of Esalen. I was hoping to soak with Hollie and Mona after but they were just heading into their massages. As I was walking out of the roman bath I saw Fillipo Francini in the dressing room- he's an Italian composer that is a client of mine. I said hi, but he looked so inward and puzzled with his towel draped over his privates, like a man from roman times- I thought maybe it's not the best time to be social so let it go.

I was late for lunch and Danielle had already finished so I took my food to this nook under a tree at the bluffs edge. It was such a perfect place to journal. I felt so awake. I could've written for hours but there was little time to take in so much. So then I dipped in the cold swimming pool in the verdant green bluff and appreciated the paradise.

As I was walking to class I saw HOllie & Mona- they said they weren't going since they were late to class and wanted to hike and enjoy the sunset etc. so I went ahead. Danielle was sitting by the door but I thought I would sit where I had been and Josh was sitting in the seat next to mine so I just went with it and enjoyed his company as we sang Bhajans.

At the break Danielle told me the good news that we were going to play a movie that night. Josh put on some scenes from his movies HTMP and it was so cool to have him share his favorite scenes- one of them I hadn't seen yet and it was so fantastic the way this man who wasn't attractive in the beginning of the movie suddenly became gorgeous as the light of love dawned in the leading ladies heart. He really captured this well in the movie and this was a feeling I'd had before and enjoyed the way he'd painted it. He was so humble sharing all these scenes with an audience that had no clue how brilliant he was. He didn't seem to mind and I felt like a bit lame that I hadn't even finished his movie before the workshop, but was very excited that he'd listened to my cue to show Liberal Arts, and it just felt like my birthday couldn't have been any better. Danielle had a bit of a laugh at me for parking myself at the other end of the room from her near Josh but I just explained that was where I'd been sitting before.

That night when we arrived all the back jacks and pillows were gone. Many people had several under them and there was a fresh batch of popcorn. I didn't mind and sat in the back of the room with Hollie and Mona. We found some blankets and they laid down. I was just in bliss and still feeling this yogic kundalini which somehow kept my spine strong even with no support. Josh put on Liberal Arts and plopped down next to me in the back row (again!!! I couldn't believe my luck!)

I found a couple of small pillows and rolled one over to him. I couldn't believe that Josh; the workshop leader, whom I thought was the guest of honor, was lying on the floor with no support and none of the patrons had offered him some of their comfort. 

Hollie thought it was rude no one offered us their pillows either but I didn't care. Her and Mona finally couldn't take it though and left to go soak and I stayed and enjoyed this surreal experience of watching Josh on the screen while laying next to him. This was the most unbelievable thing! Sometimes he'd jump up and stop the movie to share some interesting tidbit about it and I felt like this was one of the most creative things to partake in- I could tell he felt vulnerable sharing his art and was listening for our laughs and peeking at our expressions for feedback. It was such a magical night and it made me realise what was possible for myself as an artist too. He gave me such a great gift by sharing his movie with us that night- it lit a fire of inspiration and creativity that I still feel strongly though I still struggle finding time to express it and do my own work. I'm writing this story now on notepad and my novel is buried in files I still need to wade through on this laptop. Nevermind though. 

It was one of the most stimulating and exciting evenings even though it was a quiet and rustic setting off the grid in Big Sur. Danielle felt the same way but I think neither of us could put a finger on it. She also confessed that Josh had been staring at her. I guess he was like Krishna that weekend and probably many of the girls had that experience. The music kept taking my heart to new levels too- David had us singing these gorgeous bhajans and even Josh sang with us- not above it at all and often he referred to David to answer questions about creativity and things even though I think most of the class was more interested in his creative process.

At the end of each evening David would play some bhajans so we'd end on a high note and he’d say he'd see us in the pools as if both he and Josh would be there. That night the pools were busy and Danielle and I squeezed into the one by the oceans edge after trying a few and looking for our place. It was exciting to think that Josh might be in the other pool but it seemed like a lot of men were over there so we stayed away. We did have a run in with David in the co-ed bathroom that was embarrassing- saw a little more than we would've liked! Ha ha!

We got tired again around midnight and decided to head home. The magic of Esalen was more important to me than sleep. Normally I love my rest but on this occasion I just wanted to absorb as much of that atmosphere as I could.

Sunday morning was still high. Danielle finally asked her question about creativity. David and Josh said they work in the morning best after a cup of tea. I longed for the discipline to get back to that place. I used to work daily and my creative process flowed around my routine and energy levels but since my 2nd child it seems to flow around the family with little time left for energetic creating. I felt like I'd lit a flame that I would tender though. And I made a commitment to work on my book and finish it once again. I told Josh about my town in Encintias and he and David were familiar with it. David invited me to his concert at the Kirtan Castle- Phillipo Francini's house- and I laughed and told him about seeing him in the dressing room and that he was my client!

I normally don't go visit because it's also a Tantra center but decided I would go to see them the following month. Danielle took a photo of Josh and I after class and I gave him a small crystal ganesh and a card in case he wanted to show his movie HTMP in Encinitas or Fairfield- He said he wanted to share it in towns of yogis where they get it. I also met with the agent from the famous publishing house and got her name and gave her my card over lunch. We had one last special meal out on the deck. By now, everyone was quite comfortable with Josh and he seemed to have many dates for meals; I no longer felt like we were two lonely ships colliding in the lunch room as frequently but was still very aware of his presence.

I was wishing I could stay. As I went to reception to check out after lunch- I overheard that Josh was staying another day. I asked if there were rooms to stay in; it would've been half price to stay another day without a retreat and I was sorely tempted but my friends were already in the packed car and waiting to get to the airport.

I couldn't stay but I long to do another retreat at Esalen again. I don't know if it will ever be that great- this was a birthday treat of a lifetime. I felt like the Gods were shining down on me. Josh had his shrine set up in that yurt and David was singing mantras- it was a very high weekend. I felt a lot of ecstasy and very excited that my creative spark had been lit. Yet it was time to get home. Back to my clients, my family and my other world. I don't have the luxury of unlimited time delving into those creative windows but that weekend with Josh at Esalen will stay with me and has lit my fire. Now in the evenings, when I have a few minutes, I play music from his play list, I follow his twitter, see the interesting articles he shares or writes, and sometimes it seems like my imagination- did I really become friends with Josh? Or was I just a stranger he obliged with a photo and a few words. It doesn't really matter. He moved me with his presence, stories and movies and I felt like I got a really unique experience on my last weekend being 39. I felt really blessed!

[odiagan]

Discovering the Traditional Music of Odisha: 7 Major Genres of Odia Music

Odisha, known for its rich cultural heritage, boasts a diverse and vibrant musical landscape. Here are the top 7 categories of Odia music that showcase the state's musical richness:

Jagannath Bhajans:

Jagannath Bhajans are devotional songs dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a significant deity in Odia culture. These bhajans are sung in praise of Lord Jagannath and are an integral part of Odisha's religious and musical traditions. They are often sung in temples and during religious festivals.

Odia Film Songs:

Odia cinema, also known as Ollywood, has produced numerous melodious songs over the years. From romantic ballads to peppy dance numbers, Odia film songs cater to a wide range of musical tastes. Fans can easily find and download the latest Odia movie songs, including new Odia song MP3 download, from various online platforms.

Sambalpuri Folk Music:

Sambalpuri folk music originates from the western regions of Odisha, particularly Sambalpur. It includes vibrant folk songs accompanied by traditional instruments like dhol, nisan, and flute. Sambalpuri songs often depict rural life, nature, and cultural celebrations.

Classical Odissi Music:

Odissi music is an essential component of Odissi dance, one of the classical dance forms of India. It features classical ragas, tala patterns, and lyrical compositions in Odia language. Odissi music is known for its graceful melodies and rhythmic intricacies, making it a cherished art form.

Odia Modern Music:

Contemporary Odia music encompasses a variety of genres, including modern pop, rock, fusion, and electronic music. Many talented Odia artists and bands create innovative compositions that blend traditional elements with modern sounds, catering to the preferences of younger audiences.

Chhanda & Champu Music:

Chhanda and Champu are traditional poetic forms in Odia literature, often set to music. Chhanda features rhythmic verses suitable for singing and is commonly used in Odia music compositions. Champu combines prose and poetry and has been historically used in Odia music to convey narratives and emotions.

Odia Bhajans & Kirtans:

Odia Bhajans and Kirtans are devotional songs sung in praise of various deities like Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Durga. These spiritual compositions invoke a sense of devotion and are performed during religious gatherings, especially in temples and during festivals.

To explore and download Odia songs, including new Odia song MP3 download and Odia song download, enthusiasts can visit reputable music streaming platforms, online music stores, or dedicated Odia music websites. These platforms offer a vast collection of Odia music across different genres, ensuring that listeners can enjoy a diverse range of musical experiences from Odisha's rich musical heritage.

[bhagavanbhakthi]

Hanuman story - From Birth to Rama Pattabhishekam (Until the coronation)

[vandekrsnaa]

Vandekrsna Foundation presents Film Yogi Vs Bhogi Starring Art of Living singer Siddharth Mohan. Dr Kiran Bedi also makes a guest appearance Film explores spiritual solutions to problems like corruption,female fortitude etc. So Yogi Bano ya Bhogi ya fir Rogi Choice is Yours..

Pl also watch film Mum (Meditation Ultimate Medication) on vandekrsna channel on YouTube and subscribe to our channel. send us feedback..

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[sirfdabba]

Today I walked through the alleys of my hometown. I wanted to have a particular type of biscuits and not the ones which were available in the Kitchen. Thus I walked down to this small shop located a few steps away from my house. But the shop was closed. I was going to return back but then the Aajis who sit in the temple, singing their bhajan, called me. Its been a while since I talked to them. The Temple has changed a lot, they renovated it when I was in 12th grade but I was too busy back then preparing for CLAT, studying for boards that I never sat in the renovated temple. The temple was never a religious place for me you know, rather it was a Sunday picnic spot. A dongar-ka-paani, khaamb khaamb, kaanda phod, lappa chappi, mini lingorcha, playground. It was the place where I used to wait for my Rickshaw at 6:30 am on the wintry mornings, wear saree draped out of a chunri and get married to that one boy whose name I have forgotten, do the Taewondo thingy and spread rumors that I have enough power and skill to kill everybody in the town.

It was the place where I ate the offerrings offered to the deities and never felt bad. I talked to those idols while the Dogs barked and Sun took time to rise, I played with religion while the elders prayed (sometimes begged) their hearts out to that black, adorable tortoise. I was obsessed with the Temple's bell you know, was way too short, thus couldnt ring it with my bare hands. But I had found a stick of perfect length using which, the little Sau used to play with the bell while singing songs ranging from Chikni Chameli to Jana Gana Mana (Indeed, all with beautifully distorted lyrics). I am obsessed with flowers ever since I was a child. On weekends, waking up, collecting flowers from the nooks and corners of Sandesh colony, and making a gajra, and two maalas - one for the Saibaba at home and one for all the gods in the temple, was an integral part of my life. The 19 year old Sau says, she is non-religious, the 9 year old didnt know what does religious actually mean, but both of them would wholly agree to the fact that, some way or the other they both subscribe to the religion of flowers. Sometimes, when I liked the flowers that were offered to the Idols, I used to do a trade-off. I would keep my ordinary flower with them and take their rose or sonchafa or pink hibiscus. When anyone would scold me for doing it, I would, quite emohatically say, say, that, "Its between me and god." (Actually, that was the answer that Mumma told me to give to the hecklers. She has always been the best, I know)

Today, with anxiety medicines awaiting me in my pencil box, I thought to myself, " Ohh what an irreplaceable entity this temple has been!" After talking to those Aajis, I changed my mind and walked a few more steps to buy "Top biscuits." I was wearing a woollen knitted sweater and capri night pant, a kind of costume which I would never go out in, anywhere else on the face of earth. I have been wearing that pant ever since I was in tenth grade. I studied for boards, CLAT and now IPC in the very same piece of cloth. Sometimes I seriously wonder, have I stopped growing or what? Is tgis what "stagnancy" feel like. What if I am stuck in a puddle and now, unaware, unconcious, I have made it my world. But then, I this Uncle, who had pulled me up while I had fallen down while driving my purple scooty pept for the first time in my life, which gave me a smidgen of hope that I can at least drive a scooty without falling down forty times in a ride. I convinced myself that I am growing, slower than a balloon maybe, or ecen a cloud, but yes not stagnant yet.

While walking down that street, I could vividly see my childhood running like an animated movie infront of my eyes. Ohh I was a ruckus, a commotion back then. What all did I not do. All the streets, all the corners of those streets, all the houses on those streets and all the people who lived in those houses, knew my name. They kind of hated me. Not their fault, I was an unbearably notorious, an intractable child. How streets change, I thought. The place where there was a cherry tree, now holds within its bosom a two storeyed bunglow. I wondered, does that piece of land ever miss that Tree? Does it remember that I used to spend so much time finding a "good cherry" back in my salad days? I am a self-absorbed person, I thought. Does that land like that Bunglow? If given a choice, what would the land pick: Cherry tree or the Bunglow?

My biscuit excursion made me wonder, how arcane yet how simple it is that, no matter what, nobody stops. Actually, no body can afford to stop. Everyone is evolving, everyone has to evolve, evolution is not a choice. The choice to stay the same is also a kind of an evolution, if you think about it. Even the streets, even the electricity poles, everything had changed. Not holistically, of course (I mean they havent started painting it saffron as of now, might happen very soon but yeah), still everything bore a tinge of change to itself. I noticed how have repainted the "Danger" sign on the main electricity pole. While walking down from Tuition, I used to reread that "Khatra" written below a skull and two bones, everyday. I learned to read the term "Khatra" from that poll only. The cornermost flat, on the ground floor, of Chaitanya Apartments has made a compound, have installed a gate you know. It made me wonder, now where would all the street dogs sleep on the hot, sweltering afternoons. They even rebuilt the half-broken edges of the public waste bin on the way to my Tuition.

All that I observed, all that my approximately blind eyes could point out, stirred something inside. I was seeing something beyond those physical structures. All the abstractness that came back to me, while I walked down a half-dug, non-concerete, uneven rocky street, was not memories, neither nostalgia; rather it was a realization. Realization, that how, stopping and staring is possibly the most important thing to do, perhaps more important than inhaling and exhaling the polluted air, that a life is a wasted life where one didnt stop and aimlessly stared.

[my-music-1460]

Behind the Scenes: Roop Kumar Rathod’s Creative Process

Roop Kumar Rathod, a celebrated Indian playback singer, composer, and music director, has earned a special place in the hearts of music enthusiasts across generations. Known for his soul-stirring voice, Rathod’s work spans Bollywood, ghazals, devotional music, and live performances. His unparalleled ability to evoke deep emotions through his music has cemented his reputation as one of the most versatile singers of our time. From heartfelt renditions in Bollywood films to the revival of ghazal traditions, Roop Kumar Rathod’s artistic journey showcases a rare blend of skill, passion, and dedication.

This article delves into his life story, exploring his formative years, iconic songs, and contributions to Indian music that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Early Life and Musical Roots

Roop Kumar Rathod was born into a family with a rich musical legacy. His father, Pandit Chaturbhuj Rathod, was a distinguished classical musician, specializing in the tabla, which laid the foundation for Rathod’s early exposure to music. Encouraged by his family, he began learning classical music at an early age, honing his skills in vocals and percussion. This rigorous training gave him a deep understanding of rhythm and melody, crucial elements that would later define his music.

Despite his initial focus on the tabla, Rathod’s love for singing emerged as he grew older. His father’s influence and mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping his musical philosophy, instilling in him the discipline and artistry that set him apart in the competitive world of Indian music.

The Bollywood Breakthrough

Rathod’s big break in Bollywood came with the hauntingly beautiful song “Sandese Aate Hain” from the movie Border (1997), composed by Anu Malik. This patriotic anthem struck a chord with millions and showcased Rathod’s exceptional ability to convey deep emotions through his voice.

Over the years, he delivered several iconic tracks, including “Tere Liye” from Veer-Zaara and “Maula Mere Maula” from Anwar. Each of these songs highlights his versatility, from romantic ballads to devotional melodies. His collaborations with legendary composers such as A.R. Rahman, Jatin-Lalit, and Ismail Darbar added another dimension to his career, cementing his status as a sought-after playback singer.

Signature Songs That Define an Era

Roop Kumar Rathod’s repertoire is filled with timeless tracks that continue to captivate audiences. Songs like “Sandese Aate Hain” and “Maula Mere Maula” stand out for their emotional depth and universal appeal. These songs not only earned him accolades but also created a unique space for him in the Indian music industry.

His ghazals, such as those in the album Vaada, reveal his profound understanding of Urdu poetry and classical music. These works showcase his ability to seamlessly merge traditional and contemporary elements, appealing to a broad audience.

Collaborations and Versatility

One of Rathod’s greatest strengths is his versatility. He has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, from classical maestros to modern-day composers. His duets with his wife, Sunali Rathod, are particularly memorable, blending their voices in perfect harmony.

Apart from Bollywood, Rathod has also ventured into devotional and regional music. His bhajans and Sufi songs reflect his spiritual side, offering solace and inspiration to listeners. Whether it’s a film soundtrack, a ghazal, or a devotional hymn, Rathod’s ability to adapt to different genres is a testament to his talent and dedication.

The Legacy of Live Performances

Roop Kumar Rathod’s live performances are legendary. His stage presence, coupled with his ability to connect with the audience, makes his concerts a truly immersive experience. Whether performing a ghazal or a Bollywood number, Rathod brings unparalleled energy and passion to the stage.

He often uses his live shows to share anecdotes about his journey, giving fans a glimpse into his life and inspirations. These performances have not only strengthened his bond with his audience but also introduced his music to younger generations, ensuring that his legacy endures.

Conclusion: Roop Kumar Rathod’s contribution to Indian music is nothing short of extraordinary. His melodious voice and versatility have made him an icon, with songs that continue to resonate with listeners across the world. From his early training under his father to his iconic Bollywood hits and soul-stirring ghazals, Rathod’s journey is an inspiring tale of passion, perseverance, and unparalleled artistry.

As we celebrate the legacy of Roop Kumar Rathod, we invite you to share your favorite songs or memories associated with his music. How has his voice impacted your life? Join the conversation and let us honor this incredible artist together.