#nila sings

[ambidextrousarcher]

A song post after a long, long time! Excuse slight cracking of my voice, it’s been a while.

The lyrics of the part I sang with translation:

Itti si hasi

(A tiny bit of laughter)

Itti si khushi

(A tiny bit of joy)

Itta sa tukda chaand ka

(A tiny piece of the moon)

Khawabon ke tinkon se

(With sticks crafted of dreams)

Chal banaye aashiyan

(Come let’s make our haven)

Tagging some of my old musical friends @iamnotthat @carminavulcana @m-an-u @chaanv @rippys-chai @hindumyththoughts and some new mutuals who I think might like a peppy little song to hopefully brighten their day a bit, croaky voice notwithstanding @hum-suffer @hinsaa-paramo-dharma @thelekhikawrites

Let me know if you want to be added/removed to the list!

[equinoxette]

CASTING CALL (OPEN)-- TWO VOICE ACTORS NEEDED, PAID OPPORTUNITY (STUDENT BUDGET) -- THESIS FILM

Looking for two (LGBTQ+ POC PREFERRED) voice actors!!! 3 minute film about a silly rivalry between Nila and Razz - the embodiment of vanilla ice cream and raspberry pie - who work at an ice cream parlor and a bakery respectively.

BOOSTS ARE APPRECIATED!! Deadline is most likely October 1st.

More information on auditioning below!

Nila is cheerful but rather full of themself, and likes to mess around with and tease Razz who works the bakery across the road from their parlor.

Razz isn't nearly as friendly. She's pretty confident in her abilities and tough, but a little gloomy and aggressive. Tired of Nila's antics but always falls for them.

All I ask is that you have a good microphone! If the audio isn't good quality, I won't be able to use it. If I select you, I'll send you all your lines along with the animatic and we can work from there. Please email equinoxettearts@gmail.com with an audio file auditioning for one or both of the characters with any of the lines below (either .mp3 or .wav please). Feel free to do multiple takes of a line, and to give me your own interpretation of the character's voice. Label the clips with their names so I know which character you're doing!

RAZZ (RAHZ) -

(tired) "*sigh* Here we go."

(curt, dismissive) "Here's your order, have a nice day."

(a little pissed off) "Nila, you'd melt at the mere prospect of baking."

NILA (NEELAH) -

(sing-songy and cheerful) "Oh Raaaaazz~"

"How are you, how's the siblings?"

*Giggles* "Working the bakery must be tough huh~. No wonder I barely see you!"

[ziggyevenstar]

team building ng branch namin sa work last fri-sat. drank a little too much than i should bec i kept thinking jerrel’s gonna pick me up anyway. but then it was so late already and i was too drunk, and i ended up staying the night. ate ehlla sent videos of me from friday??? grabe HAHAHAHA. i kept messaging jerrel about some non-existent jennhyfur, i was taking the mic to sing, i was asking beer from people, i was hugging people, i was screaming at my boss, i was clinging to my boss. pinanuod namin ni jerrel yung videos kahapon grabi haha. he was super sweet about it, sabi niya it looks like i was just having fun plus my boss looks like he also understood i was just drunk. kilig me kahapon kase sabi niya yung love ko naman daw for him nacoconvey ko ng maayos. super bait niyaaa. told him about how when i was in college kapag drunk ako i kiss people naman HAHAHHA

grab us kahapon ng food plus bumili kami ng ramyun with kung ano anong toppings tapos linuto ko. i drove us sa korean store yayyyyy hahahaha. he kept telling me to drive like this drive like that. i told him that i automatically don’t listen when a man tries to explain to me. force of habit HAHHAHA. kain din kami before non. actually dami food kahapon kain lang kami ng kain kaya fat na. tapos non his friends came to pick us up sana but i was too tired na. he has really nice friends. dami nila actually and they’re all really nice talaga. nung bumalik sya to get his car di nako lumabas hahahaha pagods. yun lang. super happy ko kahapon. tapos yung muka ko super ugly na no makeup and all pero okay lang ang saya.

[vishnavishivaa]

Chapter 2: Picturesque (Sambandham: War of Hearts)

i am late, but here is chapter 2!

******

Chennai, India

The fire of the Sun had settled into the white of the clouds, spreading through it, burning with a fiery passion, yet much like a nurturing flame, filling the white, the sight enthralling, though some melancholy was attached to it. Arun mused on what it could be, as he painted the view in front of him, having been suddenly inspired after a heavy work day. He had gone through a lot, and had realized, if he kept himself occupied only in his work, he never got any relaxation. Despite his once upon a time thought that work only relaxed him, he had come to realize how burnt out he had become after some months of working almost every waking moment.

His grandmother had suggested he try his hand at any art at that stage, and he had chosen painting, which became his go-to relaxation, though he did often sing as well. Music was a passion of his, one his elder brother often told him that he should pursue, at least on and off, and he kept wondering if he should try to officially make covers of songs he loved. He sang them often enough for his family anyway.

As he finished painting the orange sky, his thoughts travelled to the doe-eyed, gentle woman who he had rejected, harsher than he had ever rejected anyone. Much harsher. Which had caused Kshithija to break away from the entire family, aware that none would really find fault with him, or even tell him he was wrong. He had seen his sister as well as Lokeshvari in tears when they discussed old memories, and the old guilt resurfaced.

He had destroyed the relationships, had he not? The fault was all his. If allowed, he would try to bring Kshithija back into the fold of the family, so that everyone got time with her.

Though, given Aditya's wish to date Nila, Kshithija's cousin, he had no doubt that she would return. However, what made him think she would be close with the family? He knew, better than most maybe, that Kshithija had this way of being friendly without giving much of herself away. And he dreaded the day that would happen with his whole family. It had already happened with him, at least partially.

Taking a deep breath, he searched for his phone, finding it and turning on a random playlist, freezing when the song started playing.

Thelimanam mazhavillin niramaniyum neram Niramarnnoru kanavennil theliyunna pole Puzhayoram thazhukunnee thanu neeran kaattu Pulakangal izhaneythoru kuzhaloothiya pole

He he had to smile at the irony the Universe was throwing at him. Kshithija was a prolific painter, her artwork still hung all over the house, memories of him watching her paint coming to the forefront of his mind and eyes.

For someone who did not like her romantically, he sure had way too many memories of her, and moments with her. It was a given at first that they would interact, given how close his elder sister Iramathi was to Kshithija, but he had not quite expected to get along with her as much as they had. Which made him feel even guiltier for having rejected her so harshly.

What had magnified that guilt was the still gentle and sweet behaviour from Kshithija, though more formal than ever. When she had left, he had felt almost suffocated and relieved all at once, which only confused him further. Who feels such a weird paradox of emotions about a single person?

He, that is who.

Arun sighed, knowing he had gotten deep into his head again. But he could not help it. Recently, he had been thinking a lot, reflecting, and he was displeased, with himself and even many in his family. Definitely not with his mother, because she had pulled him up, and set him on the right path. But he wondered, why had his elder siblings not stopped him? His younger ones had been angry, though not for long. But Ira was supposed to be Kshithija's best friend. And how did Aditya expect Nila to say yes for a date when he had not bothered too much about Nila's cousin sister?

Had his screwup messed up everything for his whole family?

But his mother had told him that every issue cannot be his fault either. He should not take the responsibility for the fault of others. His faults were his, and others were theirs. Even if he was in the wrong, the mistake another chooses to make is theirs. Plus, he also had made enough mistakes that he burned to rectify.

So much so that he had pushed himself to text Nila and ask after Kshithija. He had to, for his heart hurt at the memory of her devastated eyes, dark and at one time shimmering with flecks of gold. He had taken away that brightness, which made him feel worse than he already did. Gulping heavily, as if swallowing huge breaths of air, he continued painting, allowing his heart, veins and feelings to take over.

A short time later, he stared at what he had painted, shocked at the woman who had graced his canvas. This was the first time he had painted a human figure, and somehow, he had painted her. Somehow, his self seemed very familiar with a woman he did not like romantically.

What was going on?

"Anna! Anna!"

Paavai's nightingale voice brought him out of his head, propelling him to hide his painting. He had no desire to show it to anyone without understanding why he had made the painting.

"Yes little one?" he called out teasingly, making her pout at him for a moment, a common expression when the inside joke was brought up.

"Nila Akka just called. Thija Akka is returning to Chennai permanently!"

*****

Translation of song (Malare from Premam):

Thelimanam mazhavillin niramaniyum neram When the sky is decorated with colors of rainbow. Niramarnnoru kanavennil theliyunna pole A colourful dream is blossoming in me Puzhayoram thazhukunnee thanu neeran kaattum Wind blowing through this river side; Pulakangal izhaneythoru kuzhaloothiya pole Is like the tunes from a flute weaved with thrill.

---------------

@thelekhikawrites @nspwriteups @whippersnappersbookworm @ragkee @chemicalmindedlotus @dr-scribbler @willkatfanfromasia @balladedutempsjadis @freeunknownwasteland @ramcharanobsessed @gemmusings @vijayasena @thirst4light @hollogramhallucination @chiyaanvikram @moon-880 @sakhiiii @thereader-radhika @ambidextrousarcher @celestesinsight @yehsahihai @thegleamingmoon @dumdaradumdaradum @rang-lo @ragkee @vijayasena Please let me know your thoughts!

[artharakka]

ohhhh OC questions 11, 13, and 20?? 👉👈

11. Is there any OC of yours you could describe as a “sunshine”?

Nila, I think. He/they (the language Nila speaks has no gendered pronouns so eh?) are an old old oc of mine I recently resurrected to be a companion NPC in a ttrpg/dnd campaign "Llehia" I'm currently DMing (more behind the scenes material for that on my patreon). He wants to trust people and see good in them which is why they can come across a bit naïve at times. But I don't think he's necessarily stupid, just trying to break the cycle of being cynical and if things go south, he's fast to dodge (he hopes).

Another one is Willow. Not necessarily in the usual sense but more like "can sometimes be overwhelming and irritating". Might also make you a cup of tea so also warm I guess (expect their hands, they are always cold). We also enjoy a good olde sun & moon symbolism with @artist-rat whose character Ash we associate with the moon. Willow and Ash are twins 🌞🌙 Also Willow started as my Skyrim character Paju (willow in Finnish) and you bet I had the Dawnbreaker.

(Nila on the right, Willow on the left with very fast sunglasses)

13. Do you have any troublemaker OCs?

Ohohohoho so many! But two that do and say stupid shit in order to get a reaction from other people are my Dragon Age inquisitor Sonera, and once again, Willow. Willow enjoys irritating their twin sister Ash's short temper (and Ash's girlfriend Rhea). Too bad those two are strong butches, which is why Willow is always ready to flee with a shit-eating grin. (Don't worry though, Willow and Ash are actually really close). Sonera's humour is lewd her hobby is trying to see how far they can throw a dagger and still hit some poor fool's toes. Both Willow and Sonera would be the types of friends who see something cursed online and immediately send it to everyone.

20. Do any of your OCs sing? If they sing, care to share more details (headcanon voice, what kind of songs they like etc)?

Not many! In fact right now I could only think of one, which might tell more about my own musical talents and how much I think of singing. But I think Rhiam would sing in bath/shower (would never admit that though. They are very shy). And to be honest I don't exactly know what kind of voice they would have! I just know the tone I use when we play the campaign. But I think their singing voice might be a little higher than expected.

Rhiam is good at inventing and sometimes freestyling their own spells, so I think they might even invent their own songs. Or in modern AU where they haven't lived on a farm without electricity, do very dramatic imaginary covers of their favourite songs. I think they would like Lady Gaga and Marina 💕

So many thems I notice! But tbh my first language doesn't have gendered pronouns either so that causes it a bit. But Nila as said is he/they, doesn't matter to him. Sonera is bit same but with she/they, mostly she. Willow is just they, and Rhiam is... kind of at crossroads. Has been he but doesn't really vibe that. So vague they for now.

[djuvlipen]

15-year-old Hazara activist who narrowly escaped the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Nila Ibrahimi, addresses the 15th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy – see below for her remarks.

Full Remarks  

Good morning everyone.

I’m incredibly honored to be here today with you at the Geneva Summit. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to share my story.

It was August 15, a beautiful sunny day that soon turned dark and cloudy, casting a shadow over the lives of millions of Afghans, especially the girls and women of my homeland. I had woken up early to study for my last mid-year exam at school, scheduled for the next day.  

A few hours after breakfast, my mother heard from the neighbours that the Taliban had reached Dasht-e-Barchi, the district where we lived, and may take over Kabul soon. My mother had lived through the civil war and the first Taliban regime and had made me understand how miserable and frightening that tyranny was. And now, her worried eyes and shaky hands made me even more scared.  

We ran to destroy our family documents that could put our lives at risk, because it was expected that the Taliban would conduct house to house searches. My father, a former government worker, passed away a month after I was born so the photos, uniforms, and documents were the only memories I had of him. As I watched them burn and turn to ashes, it was as if they had never existed, as if he had never existed. My school certificates as well; I felt so angry and sad to be told to destroy them that I decided to take the risk of keeping them. I knew all of this was only the first spark of a fire that was about to consume our whole lives. 

The weight of the situation was overwhelming, and fear took hold of me. My mother is a great person, but she belongs to the generation of women who were subjugated by the Taliban. This created in them a mindset that they had no right to say no, no right to protest or stand up for themselves. They were made to feel like they were incomplete human beings without a man. Now, there were rumours that the Taliban would marry young girls. I felt helpless and scared for what the future held.  

I am Nila Ibrahimi, a 16-year-old women’s rights activist. My journey of advocacy started when the Kabul Education Directorate banned schoolgirls over the age of 12 from singing in public. As a member of the Sound of Afghanistan Music Group, I found this decision disappointing and aggravating. We were singing for peace, women’s rights, and humanity on different stages and well-known TV channels. In some parts of the world, there are societies that welcome teenage girls who are using their voices to make changes; however, when I heard about the ban, I realized a sad fact about my society: There were people who wanted to silence me solely because of my gender. I had to stand up for my rights for the first time in my life. So, I recorded a video of me singing a song as a call to action for all girls and women. Murtaza, my brother, posted it on social media, alongside the #IAmMySong, and it soon went viral. The movement successfully reversed the decision.    

Later that year, before the fall of Kabul, I was watching President Joe Biden’s briefing on TV regarding his country’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. I vividly recall him sharing a story about his visit there, where he had conversations with several girls. One of them had told him: “If you leave Afghanistan, I will no longer be able to pursue my desire to become a doctor.” She urged him not to abandon Afghanistan. Upon hearing this, tears welled up in my eyes, and my heart splintered, as I could truly empathize with her feelings. She understood the imminent situation and was desperate to hold onto her dreams. Unfortunately, her plea fell on deaf ears. As a 16-year-old, of course I am not aware of all the political complexities, but why couldn’t the US have at least negotiated some form of peace instead of abandoning the country without any resolution?  

So now, the dream of that girl, along with the dreams of millions of other girls and women, were shattered overnight when the US and the international community abandoned Afghanistan. The Taliban, a group with a regressive mindset that deems being a girl or woman a crime, took control in a chaotic and shocking manner.   

To capture my emotions, allow me to share an excerpt from my diary written the day after Kabul fell, “It doesn’t matter when I wake up anymore, because I cannot close my eyes at night. I see everyone terrified of an uncertain future. At breakfast, no one speaks. After breakfast, I don’t know what I am supposed to do. I can’t study. Why should I study now if I am not allowed a future? Humanity is dead all over the world and I am tired of everything. In our airport, people died from stress, heat stroke, dehydration, from being crushed in their desperation to get out. Taliban are everywhere. Some people say they are going to go to every single house to search for guns or take some girls. I am wearing a long dress and covering my face. Am I going to be forced to cover my face all my life? Am I going to be locked up in my home forever?”  

Five days after the fall, my family decided to flee to Pakistan. We were lucky. After eight tense months, the 30 Birds Foundation helped us resettle in Canada. While I feel safer in my new home, every single day, I think of those girls left behind in Afghanistan; left with no hope. In Canada, I make decisions about my life, and embrace the person I aspire to be. But, what about them? 

As I stand here today, I want the world to know that girls have been out of school for 640 days. Universities are also closed off to them. Women have been stripped of everything, their education, their freedom of movement, their right to work, their choice of what to wear, and their ability to participate in public life. This is a grave injustice that denies them their basic human rights, rights that should be afforded to every individual on this planet.  

I am in awe of the immense bravery displayed by Afghan girls and women, who have steadfastly fought for their dreams in the face of the Taliban’s oppression. In the darkest of times, hope becomes our lifeline. It is our collective responsibility to be their hope, to stand with them, and to take action.  

So, I ask you, all of you, be part of this movement. And I ask those of you who have the power and the influence to please lend your voice and actions to support the Afghan girls and women. Let us unite and prove that humanity’s strength lies in its compassion and unwavering commitment to justice. The time for action is now. 

Thank you.

Soomaya Javadi, another young Hazara activist who fled Afghanistan following the fall of Kabul with Nila Ibrahimi, addressed the U.N. Opening of the 15th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

[thesleepingninja]

all time low foreverrrrr

dhiskskskskdkdkxnxjcchnjj sobrang surreal pa rin

when i was in line for the freebies before the concert, we were given the chance to write something for the band on a banner, and most of the writings and messages i read meant something along the line of "thank you, your music saved me." i had this thought then, na as a mentally stable kid, wow wala akong ganung klase at kalalim na feelings, i thought i just really enjoyed their music

kaya naman pagpasok ng intro ng missing you, di ko rin inexpect na maiiyak ako hahahahahaha

kasi nung concert proper na, habang tumatagal at papunta na sa most recent album yung songs, narealize ko na even in the subtlest of ways, these songs have saved me. hindi ko lang naiisip kasi feeling ko mundane everyday thing lang yung iplay ko yung songs nila sa playlists ko, but i knew then, in my heart, they've saved me from some of the worst days of my life ♡

sobrang happy ng inner child q listening and singing and shouting along to all those songs that kept me steady and grounded growing up huhu

kaya para sa batang ako: akalain mo 'yon, afford na natin bumili ng ticket para makita yung favorite band natin?? ✨️✨��✨️

p.s. on a sadder note, i also thought about those misunderstood emo kids back then (when depression was still very much a taboo) who aren't here with us anymore to reminisce and internalize these same sentiments that i have; i hope things are better where u guys are

[alpasnihaya]

i can't fathom i have a boyfriend now.

family is something i cherish, pero at the same time i don't really want to be that desperate for it. i come from a family that bond over food, especially lunches or dinner, or even meryenda. i guess that's how you call busog talaga.

i've always dreamt of having my first boyfriend completely known by my family. i don't like the idea of hiding someone i completely love from the first ones who lent me love. gusto kong maharana or sing together, go on food trips, be actual friends with them before hopping into the relationship, and bond with family. i'm not gonna lie anymore, family is so important to me. they've granted me so much love and care. i've always had this dream since i was a tween. napakasarap magmahal kung mahal rin sila ng mga taong minamamahal mo.

i adore my boyfriend's bond with my family so much. natutuwa akong sobra kasi i'm seeing my life and i'm conscious. how i love them so much. yung mga jokes ni nanay, yung bond nila tatay, yung asaran nila ni hannah.. jesus. he's a part of our family. i'm so happy. kukupkupin talaga namin sya : (

napakapogi nya, ang ganda nya ngumiti. yung totoo, those genuine smiles. i've never seen him have so much fun and smile so much before. on top of that, kasama pa yung pamilya ko. i love dieter n my fam so much : ) ♡

[shoodleynoodle]

Autism Consciousness Week!! ♡

Super busy namin netong mga nakaraan sa school kase puro events since autism consciousness week nga kaya wala na rin ako masyadong picture.

Nung monday, itinakbo ko ang pagpapagawa ng tarp sa may palengke kase wala raw sila mautusan at wala nang time yung ibang teachers since may pasok rin naman mga bata.

Nung wednesday, nagpaposter making kami sa school (na hindi ko na naman napicturean). Saka onting review kase mag-eexam na mga bata. Pinagtrace ko lang sila ng name nila saka mga lines and shapes.

Thursday, nag-daily life activity kami para mapractice yung ganung skills nila kaya gumawa kami ng tuna and egg sandwich. Ahahaha. Super kalat pero ang saya kase super engaged yung kids saka parents dun sa activity. Aliw na aliw sila magdurog ng itlog saka maghalo nung sandwich spread na ginawa muntik na kami lumagpas ng oras. Ahahaha. Saya naman at busog sa dami ng nagawang sandwich. Ahahaha.

Friday, green shirt day and zumba day for the kids! Di ko maipost ang pics kase wala pala akong pic dun na di kita ang muka ng mga bata pero anyways, super saya kasi ang daming energy ng kids! May mga umaakyat pa sa stage at natabi sa zumba instructor para sumayaw. Ahahaha. Ang cucute eh. Syempre tumakas ako sa pagsasayaw at tumambay sa registration booth, nagdodocu na lang ako from time to time tas nag-aassist dun sa mga magpaparegister ng pwd id nila at ng mga anak nila.

Sobrang productive ng department namin last week tas super chill ngayon kase exam lang yesterday and today ng mga bata. Gumawa lang ako ng certificates para dun sa ganaps last week tapos nagbantay at assist ng mga nag-eexam. Sembreak na rin namin starting tomorrow at sabi nung teacher na pinag-iinternan ko eh di ko na rin daw need pumasok at magsembreak na rin daw ako since gagawa lang naman sila paperworks. Ahahaha. Kaya yehey hanggang sa 30 eh libre ako at makakanood na uli ng queer eye saka makakalaro ng escape room games. Ahahaha. Okay babay.

Tuesday, nagpacolor kami niyang hearts pangdesign sa wall. Cute lang at natutuwa ako kase napagcolor ko yung mga bata nang di ako ginaguide nung teacher na kasama ko kase busy siya magbigay ng result ng assessment ng mga bata sa mga parents. Eh nung nakaraan kasi talaga abutan ko lang sila ng pencil or crayon eh nagwawala na sila agad kase mas gusto nila mag-play or mag-sing and dance lang. Kaya happy ako na marami kaming naidikit sa wall. Saka close na kami ng mga bata ngayon, before kase naninibago sila sa akin kaya di pa sila masyadong nakikinig.

[ambidextrousarcher]

Frustrated with the snippet translation, because it is time-taking work, lost on where to go with the fic, but I wanted to sing this for a long time, so…here we go, Sol in my untrained, squeaky voice.

Tagging my usual Ponniyin Selvan people as well as some friends who liked my singing.

@hum-suffer @humapkehaikaun @harinishivaa @celestesinsight @willkatfanfromasia @rdx-dcm @racoonpaws @favcolourrvibgior @hinsaa-paramo-dharma @hindumyththoughts @deadloverscity @mizutaama @thelekhikawrites @themorguepoet and @thereader-radhika

I remember @thegleamingmoon had a wonderful translation of this song on their blog, but I couldn’t find it there (thanks, Tumblr Search function) so I’m translating it here under the cut.

In retrospect, this ended up taking more time than necessary, because Tumblr was kind enough to delete the first draft of the translation. Sigh.

Let me know if you want to be added to/removed from the tag list!

Kaadhodu sol, kaadhodu sol

Whisper in my ears, whisper in my ears

Yaarendru sol, yaarendru sol

Tell me who it is, tell me who it is.

Perazhagan ah sol, kodar megan ah sol

Tell me if he is a man of great beauty, tell me if he is as tall as a craggy peak.

(Raja Raja Chozhan was apparently known to be quite handsome, from what I have heard)

Maaveeran ah sol, vaayijalan ah sol

Tell me if he is a man of great valour, tell me if he weaves webs with his words.

(Arulmozhi in Ponniyin Selvan is definitely a man of valour, and Vandiyathevan can weave anything he wants with his words)

Odathe soladi or vaarthai sol

Don’t run away, at least say one word (about him) dear

Kaavalan ah sol, en evalana sol

Tell me if he is a guardian, tell me if he is my servant

(in a scene in the movie, Arulmozhi calls himself both the kaavalan (guardian) and the velaikaaran (servant) of the Chozha people, though Vandiyathevan can also fit the ‘my servant’ part, for he is indeed serving Kundavai’s will at that point)

Poraali ah sol illai odoli ah sol

Tell me if he is a warrior, tell me if he is a coward.

(I don’t think ‘odoli’ here means coward literally, it is meant to mean, I feel, someone who escapes from sticky situations, which is definitely a fit for Vandiyathevan, and well, the great warrior can be both of them, though such magnitude of praise is probably for Arulmozhi)

Kichu kurala ah sol, kaviarasu ah sol

Tell me if he has a chirpy voice, tell me if he is the King of poets.

(Kaviarasu, I have heard, is a title given to Raja Raja Chozhan, and Vandiyathevan might have a chirpy voice, haha)

Ippodhe soladi inge sol

Tell me right now, tell me right here.

Mayai ah sol mayan ah sol

Tell me if he is an illusion, tell me if he is a magician.

(The illusion is probably Arulmozhi, who is, at this point in the story, not present in the flesh, only heard about in the highest of terms, though it can also mean Vandiyathevan with his many faces, while the magician can, again, mean the both of them, though it is more suitable to Vandiyathevan)

As Aa Aa Aa

Aa Aa Aa Aa

Kaadhodu sol, kaadhodu sol

Whisper in my ears, whisper in my ears

Yaarendru sol, yaarendru sol

Tell me who he is, tell me who he is.

Perazhagan ah sol, kodar mugan ah sol

Tell me if he is the most handsome of men, tell me if he is as tall as the highest of peaks

Enge avan sol, edhenum sol

Tell me where he is, tell me anything about him.

Maaveeran ah sol, vaayijalan ah sol

Tell me if he is the bravest of men, tell me if he weaves webs with his words.

Kaavalan ah sol en evalana sol

Tell me if he is a guardian, tell me if he is my servant.

Kichu kurala sol kaviarasa sol

Tell me if he has a chirpy voice, tell me if he is the King of poets

Ippodhe soladi inge sol

Tell me right now, dear, tell me right here.

Mayai ah sol, mayan ah sol

Tell me if he is an illusion, tell me if he is a magician

[henriediosa]

Palatawan - Bakit Ayaw Niyang Kumanta? - Scene 11

EMMA Mukha tayong magka-batch ah. Bakit di tayo nagkita noong high school? We look like batchmates. Why didn't we ever see each other in high school? PABLO Baka sa Hatchetfield High ka nag-aral. Sa kabila ako, sa Sikomoro. Maybe you studied at Hatchetfield High. [I went to] the other one, to Sikomoro [Sycamore]. EMMA Tangina, Timberwolves ka? Gago, kalaban ka pala eh. Son of a bitch, you're [one of the] Timberwolves? Shithead, you're the enemy [+ particle expressing this is new information]. PABLO (Patawa) Gago nga kami. [1] (Beat.) Sabi mo kanina sa Beanies na nandoon ka sa Jesus Christ Superstar [2] noong high school ka? We really are shitheads. You said a while ago at Beanies that you were in Jesus Christ Superstar when you were in high school? EMMA (Nagmamalaki) Oo, ako kaya 'yung si Mary Magdalene! Yeah, I was that Mary Magdalene! PABLO 2003 ba yun? Kasi yun yung Jesus Christ Superstar na napanood ko… hala, napanood pala kita! Was that 2003? Because that's the Jesus Christ Superstar that I saw… wow, it was you I saw! [+ particle expressing this is new information] EMMA Puta, di nga! Bitch, no way! PABLO Puta, oo nga! [1] Wala kasi kaming teatro na subject sa school namin kaya pinag-field trip nila kami doon sa inyo para mainggit kami. Iyon ang pinaka-unang musical na napanood ko. Hindi ko siya nagustuhan. Doon siguro nagsimula. Ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit ayaw ko ng mga musical, kung bakit ayaw ko kumanta. [3] Bitch, yes way! Because we didn't have a theatre subject at our school, so they made us take a field trip to yours to make us jealous. That's the very first musical I ever saw. I did not like it. That's where it probably started. You're the reason why I don't like musicals, why I don't want to sing. EMMA Wow, so ako yung backstory mo? So ako yung pinaka-kontrabida? Wow, so I'm your backstory? I'm the supervillain? PABLO Hindi ganun ang tingin ko sa iyo, Emma. It's not like that, the way I see you, Emma.

Translator's notes under the cut!

[1] "Fucking Timberwolves! We hated you guys." "We hated ourselves." was such a fun challenge to translate because Tagalog needs so many words to do a reflexive that it was never going to be translated word-for-word. The joke is supposed to happen quickly, and translating it like "Ayaw rin namin sa mga sarili namin" made it lose its punch.

Inb4 "kami rin", that was an option but it's too ambiguous. If Emma said "Ayaw namin sa inyo" and Pablo said "Kami rin," the first assumption the audience would make is that he's saying "We hated you too." Which is not what he's saying.

So we have to do sense-for-sense. So instead I'm making Emma swear just for punctuation/filler, which she does a lot anyway, but Pablo takes her literally and thinks she's actually calling Timberwolves gago (first joke), and then agrees (second joke). It's like if she's said "Damn, you guys are the enemy," and he replied "Yeah, we're really damned." He does it again later with puta, because Paul does it in English: "No shit!" "Yes shit, yeah!" I think it's so neurodivergent of him, especially in conversation with someone he has a crush on.

[2] Brigadoon has been replaced with Jesus Christ Superstar because Brigadoon isn't very well-known where I am and specifically a local theatre group did several productions of JCS but I didn't like them because they weren't actually singing, just lip-syncing. If this ever gets staged and the director wants to change it back to Brigadoon or use a different play then I'll change it, but rn it is the play we're making fun of

[3] He has to drop the title of the show here, so I added another line, because the title in Tagalog is "Bakit Ayaw Niyang Kumanta?" (Why Doesn't He Want To Sing?). Why is the title different? Because that's how I ended up translating the chorus of the first song. I do hate that a bit of foreshadowing is lost (he didn't like musicals, because by the end he does) but maybe figuring out the question can be similarly fun for the audience as well. Translation is loss and compromise.

[sunb0rn]

gagi ginawa na palang musical nung 2019 yung Sing Street. comfort movie ko yon nung 2016 eh. deserve.

dati sabi ko pa sana gawin na totoong band yung mga bagets don. as in hindi nalang sla fictional tas ganun pa din music nila, 80s kasi setting nung movie. tang inaaaa

[jocolatemousse]

May kasama kaming straight couple (na hindi pa 'ata sila?) sa karaoke ta's binubully namin sila into singing HAHA tinatanong namin ano ba theme song nila 😆🤣

[blessed1neha]

Who is radha?

Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead (īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ). He is the cause of all the causes (sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam). He is the origin of all the devatas (aham ādir hi devānāṁ). All the Vedas glorify Lord Krishna alone (vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyo). He is the unborn Lord that takes on many appearances in this world (ajayamano bahudha vijayate). He is the antaratma (inner controller) of all the living entities (akhila-dehinām antarātma-dṛk).

Lord Krishna is Nirguna- completely beyond the material gunas (harir hi nirguṇaḥ sākṣāt). Although He is Nirguna, He is the abode of all-auspicious qualities (guṇāṁś ca doṣāṁś ca mune vyatīta samasta-kalyāṇa-guṇātmako hi).

Lord Krishna has no form yet His beautiful form (anirdesya vapuh) enchants even the cupid. He has no hands and feet (apāṇi-pāda) yet the Gopis are embraced by His serpentine arms and He runs on His tender feet, in fear of Mother Yashoda. He has no eyes, yet His sidelong glances destroy the patience of the millions of Gopis. Lord Krishna is Satyam, Jnanam, Anantam Brahma. He is all-pervading Brahman, yet He is found crawling in the corner of the courtyard of the house of Nanda Maharaja (satyaḿ-jñānam-anantaḿ nityam anākāśaḿ paramākāśaḿ goṣṭha prāńgaṇarińgaṇalolam anāyāsaḿ paramāyāsam).

Through Lord Krishna’s various expansions of expansions of expansions, countless universes are created, maintained, and ultimately destroyed (yasyāṁśāṁśāṁśa-bhāgena viśvotpatti-layodayāḥ). Following His order, Lord Brahma creates the universe and following His order, Lord Hara destroys the creation (sṛjāmi tan-niyukto ’haṁ haro harati tad-vaśaḥ). He, however, is completely independent (abhijñaḥ svarāṭ).

All the Vedic literatures describe Him as Supreme Brahman (kṛṣṇaṁ paraṁ brahma). The form of this Supreme Brahman is human-like (gūḍhaṁ paraṁ brahma manuṣya-liṅgam). That humanlike form is eternally a son of Nanda Maharaja and Mother Yashoda. He cannot be reached by exercising our minds, words, and consciousness. (namo girāṁ vidūrāya manasaś cetasām api)

Lord Krishna is the beginning, middle, and end of all the Vedas, Puranas, Itihasas, etc (ādāv ante ca madhye ca hariḥ sarvatra gīyate). In fact the very word ‘’OM’’, with which all the Vedic Mantras begin, is the sound representation of Lord Krishna (praṇavaḥ sarva-vedeṣu). All the various names found in the Vedas such as Rudra, Indra, Agni , Soma, Mitra, etc glorify Lord Krishna alone (namani sarvani yam vishanti tam vai vishnum paramam udaharanti).

Lord Krishna is the master of all the Yogis and the Brahmavadis who want to experience the bliss of Kaivalya or Nirvana (kaivalya-nirvāṇa-sukhānubhūtiḥ). The son of Devaki can offer all types of Mukti (bhagavān devakī-putraḥ kaivalyādy-akhila-pradaḥ).

What then to speak about the supreme glories of His dear devotees? Lord Krishna becomes the ultimate giver of bliss for His ananya bhaktas who reject even the Kaivalya or impersonal Mukti (na gṛhnanti vinā mat-sevanaṁ janāḥ), which are generally held in high regard by the many. In His form of Lord Narayana, He is eternally a master of Lakshmi Devi. He is the master of all the innumerable Shaktis headed by Sri, Bhu, Nila, etc.

In the various Yajnas, Lord Krishna is glorified with eloquent prayers such as follows

yaṁ brahmā varuṇendra-rudra-marutaḥ stunvanti divyaiḥ stavair vedaiḥ sāṅga-pada-kramopaniṣadair gāyanti yaṁ sāma-gāḥ dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yogino yasyāntaṁ na viduḥ surāsura-gaṇā devāya tasmai namaḥ Unto that personality whom Brahmā, Varuṇa, Indra, Rudra, and the Maruts praise by chanting transcendental hymns and reciting the Vedas with all their corollaries, pada-kramas and Upaniṣads, to whom the chanters of the Sāma Veda always sing, whom the perfected yogīs see within their minds after fixing themselves in trance and absorbing themselves within Him, and whose limit can never be found by any demigod or demon — unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead I offer my humble obeisances.- Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.1

Now, there is one special cowherd girl who brings this Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, completely under Her control. Her name is Sri Radha.

A very special cowherd girl, the dust of whose lotus feet Krishna reveres with great humility, is Sri Radha. A very special cowherd girl, who makes Krishna mad and faint in ecstasy is Sri Radha. A very special cowherd girl who is Krishna’s highest pleasure potency is known as Sri Radha. A very special cowherd girl, who is nondifferent from Krishna, just as the shakti (energy) and shaktiman (energetic) are nondifferent and just as the sunlight and sun are nondifferent, is known as Sri Radha

[abellinthecupboard]

99 Things to Do Before You Die

cosmo mag came out with a list of 99 things to do before you die 　　　i had done 47 of them or at least my version of them like make love on the forest floor spend a day in bed reading a good book sleep under the stars learn not to say yes when you mean no but the other things were things only rich people could do and we certainly know you don't have to be rich before you die things like dive off a yacht in the aegean buy a round-the-world air ticket go to monaco for the grand prix go to rio during carnival sure would love to but no maza-ska money honey so what's a poor indian to do? come up with a list that's more culturally relevant so my list includes going 49ing at crow fair learn of 20 ways to prepare 　　　commodity canned pork fall in love with a white person fall in love with an indian eat ta-nee-ga with a sioux learn to make good fry bread be an extra in an indian movie learn to speak your language give your gramma a rose and a bundle 　　　of sweet grass watch a miwok deer dance attend a hopi kachina dance owl dance with a yakama curl up in bed with a good indian novel better yet curl up in bed with a good indian novelist ride bareback and leap over a small creek make love in a tipi count coup on an enemy bathe not swim in a lake or river wash your hair too and don't forget your pits stop drinking alcohol tell skinwalker stories by campfire almost die then appreciate your life help somebody who has it worse than you donate canned goods to a local food bank sponsor a child for christmas bet on a stick game participate in a protest learn a song to sing in a sweat recycle grow a garden say something nice everyday to 　　　your mate say something nice everyday to 　　　your children chop wood for your grandpa so there a more attainable list at this rate i'm ready to die anytime not much left undone though cosmo's have an affair in paris while discoing in red leather and sipping champagne could find a place on my list.

— Nila Northsun (1951–)

When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through: A Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry (2020)

[iamnotaxl]

Love for Poetry

Late ko na narealize na may potential ako sa pagsulat ng tula. My first ever poem was written in my notebook. January 2015.

Nakakapanghinayang kasi maganda iyong sinulat ko na yun. Pero hindi ko alam kung anong tumakbo sa isip ko at basta ko na lang siya ibinigay sa classmate ko para sa school paper nila.

Kasalanan ko rin naman kaya nanghihinayang ako ngayon. Lesson learned na rin kaya hindi ko na uulitin.

Going back to my discovery, naalala ko nun nagsusulat ako sa kwarto ng unang tula ko bago mag first birthday yung pamangkin ko (na ngayon ay eight year old na). Antagal na rin 'diba?

Masasabi ko na yung love for music and reading ang naging inspiration ko para bumuo ng tula. Ngayon ko lang rin kasi napapansin na puro masasakit or nostalgic yung mga nasusulat ko.

Parang hindi galing sa akin. Parang hindi mo iisipin na ako ang nagsulat. Lalo na nung mga nakaka kilala sa akin noon.

Kasi alam mo iyon, malayo sa personality ko yung mga sinusulat kong tula at kwento. But that is my soul singing.

My soul demands to be read by many people. Kaya ko gustong magsulat kasi gusto kong mabasa ako. Gusto kong makita ng mga tao iyobg tumatakbo sa isip ko. Gusto kong malaman ng marami na gusto kong madikit sa pangalan ko ang pagiging isang writer.

Ang sarap kaya sa pakiramdam. Heto yung ginagawa ko hanggang ngayon kasi alam kong dito ako magaling. Alam kong may potential ako na dapat linangin.

Sana lang dumating iyong araw na mahanap ko yung right set of readers ko tulad ng maraming mga writer online. I know it is not an over night success.

Pero hihintayin kong dumating yun. Nagawa ko ngang umasa ng ilang taon sa kung sinong lalaki dyan e. Why not umasa na magka readers na hindi naman malabong mangyari?

Ngayon siguro mas focus ako sa pagsusulat ng tula kasi mas madali siya for me. Pero one of these days. Mahaharap ko rin iyong mga nobelang isinusulat ko.

Sabi nga sa akin ni Sir Ricky Lee. Ituloy mo kung Passion mo. And naniniwala naman ako na passion ko talaga ito. I'll do what I love regardless kung may pumansin o wala.

Ayaw kong sabihin na bahala na. Basta magsusulat ako at hindi hihinto sa process. Nandito na ako. Matagal ko na itong gusto. Katamaran na lang talaga kalaban ko.

#writing #passion #loveforpoetry #penofjunior