My life and Syd Barrett’s way

A man once walked on earth that treads in our dreams now,
He may have vanished but his words still linger in our hearts now,
His embellishments have espoused our fate now.

This not an introduction to a star or an idol or even an inspiration. But to a genius, an iconoclast, to his words, a mental monster, also his disintegration and breakdown. I am talking about a forgotten king of music –Syd barrett. Remnants of his ideas remain in the form of his music and his words.
I have been an avid fan of Syd barrett for a long time now. Even though I have been aware of his tragic end, I have never been less astonished. His secret lies in the fact that his songs and their meaning still remain relevant and how even a man on the verge of breakdown could speak for the feelings and emotions of the majority (sane majority to be precise).
“Bike “- a song some would interpret as a description of childish love and its innocence. But how many times have you been inclined to say “You’re the kind of girl that fits in with my world.” to someone and in the exact same way? This song also has a sense of desperation of “adult” love, “I’ll give you anything, everything if you want things.”. Have we not felt the same way? But what amuses me about this song is the way he is trying to convince the “girl” in the song. The same blandishments we must have experimented with. Telling a girl how decorated and beautiful our own world is “ I’ve got a bike. You can ride it if you like. It’s got a basket, a bell that rings and things to make it look good.” and how even the smallest things matter.
Another song that catches my imagination and I can certainly relate to is “Jugband blues” and no I am not an addict. But I have certainly felt the aloofness and a similar kind of non-attachment . And how can we run away from the fact that we have lived our life thinking about the world we are not part of and have (sometimes)swiftly melted way into that world without concurring to world we live in “It’s awfully considerate of you to think of me here,And I’m much obliged to you for making it clear,That I’m not here.”.
If I was given a chance to trade my life with his, I would have done so. Not because I would have then become a genius or a legend in some ways or have created the best music even in adverse mental conditions but for the sake of “his”fervent emotions.

Dark Globe
Oh where are you now
willow that smiled on this leaf?
When I was alone you promised the stone from your heart
My head kissed the ground
I was half the way down, treading the sand
Please, please, lift a hand
I’m only a person whose armbands beat
On his hands, hang tall
Won’t you miss me?
Wouldn’t you miss me at all?

Dilemma of an atheist-celebrating Christmas

Now as the festivities of Christmas end. I am left wondering should I be participating is such celebrations or even wishing Merry Christmas. Being an atheist you are often confronted with such questions on every nook and corner of life. Well, that is what atheism is about. You can weigh up your credentials and act as your ratified logic ushers.
One of my friends(a rather vocal atheist) was banished from a Christmas party just because of his atheistic ideology.
They shouldn’t have done so for
1) their GOD(if he ever existed) is in everyone and surely is in an avid atheist.
2) they could have tried to change his mind maybe showing him the blandishments that led them to believe.
3) the GOD himself would have permitted( I think he doesn’t distinguish)
Well, personally I didn’t celebrate Xmas thinking it was brandish and superficial.
Their is one more viewpoint to this though. The people themselves celebrating Christmas are shamelessly atheistic about Santa themselves. But decorated Santa’s are certainly omnipresent. Atheists in my view can celebrate Christmas as it’s just one more god they wish to disapprove of and then somebody has to preserve these cultural ceremonies(for old times sake).
BY-Syd

Pessimist’s Prophecy

So, it’s been a while since we have updated our blog but we’ve been busy just like the rest of the world. So far it’s been a year of change. The rich and the poor stand in resentment of each other (like in the past) but the expression of this resentment has changed. Poor are on the street evincing their discontent and disparage. While the rich are more subtle. The Anna brigade, common wealth games fiasco and the prosecution of raja has aggravated the situation. Now the oppressed class stands even more aggrieved while the rich clutter in awe.
While we all knew what the outcome will be, the men and women on the streets were still ready for a sacrifice. Do or die was once again the slogan for the masses. The core fundamentals of democracy were challenged. And for the first time as it seems democracy and its fundamentals were discussed and through this discourse the true meaning of democracy was to be derived which should have been done about a century ago(but never mind, it’s never too late). Masses bewildered by this intellectual discourse sang songs of national pride. Men and women clogged up streets, yelped out their discontent in hope of changing the world. The vehement but nonviolent (see the irony) protests were fruitless at best. A stupid resolve of a man could not stand in front of the firm and unyielding government. A promise or I must say a false promise was provided. As if the masses absolved the government, the masses sang songs of success. This success was actually a compromise. People can certainly give away a week for a cause but more than that is certainly obscene. The government knows that. The core committee was aware of it. So, the compromise was inevitable. With no concrete outcome, the pessimist’s prophecy had materialized. The government resolved to bring the law. Governments always resolve to do things. Most resolved to eradicate poverty and like in every manifesto parties too have resolved to eradicate corruption and other social malice. A recurring question that haunted me through all this discourse was, Is India now a better place? The answer is left to conjecture.

Sound of Shaitan

Well, the blog’s film section is not ready yet, but after watching Shaitan, I ‘had’ to write a review. Because it has helped me judge my chances to be a film maker in the industry! So here it goes :-

Since the trailers were first out I have been waiting for the film. The song Bali, suits the trailer best. I did miss the first day first show and a few more days and shows consequently, but today I finally got a chance.

Shaitan starts with Anurag Kashyap giving a social message. Yes the ‘lazy ass ranter’, starts the film telling youngsters that alcohol, drugs, cigarettes etc., are bad for them. While if the dialog was start taking drugs, start life, the quote ‘well begun is half done’ would have been so apt. The scenes from the asylum give us a hint that the movie is on the insane end of brain, like most of Anurag’s films are. Then again we have typical scenes, fast introductions, normal ‘I hate my parents’ people and alcohol and drugs and a lot of drugs.

After wild parties, cranky dialogs and a couple of kisses, you reach the scene which has created the hype. The accident scene. And yes, the scene lives up to the hype, it is a great milestone in hindi cinema. But just a few moment more and you’ll have the moment. The moment you’ll scream , “What the fuck, this is the story of Paanch” and that would sure turn you off, completely! But as the film proceeds you do notice remarkable differences and slowly it attracts your interest. Then the fast paced action, the haunting music, Rajeev Khandelwal’s grit and Kalki’s neurotic expressions when she is high, makes you want to forgive all the negative aspects of the movie and makes you an instant fan.

Remarkable scenes :- When KC asks Amy to open a ‘joint account’, the accident scene(ofcourse), the crashing of the beer bottle and a tv set, by KC and Dash respectively, on the heads of two guys who were ‘teasing’ and ‘more than teasing’ their girls, Khoya Khoya Chand(thats already a rage), the shot where Inspector Arvind Mathur flashes from behind a bed and kills a junkie(though you can’t possibly save yourself from machine gun fires with a mattress and Amy’s hallucinations of her mom when she is high in the Church(thats Anurag Kashyap).

The weak points of the movie were :- Obviously the script, it could have been better. The director was confused whether he was making a thriller or a black comedy. The German girl wasn’t really German. Too much time wasted on the camera work and special effects.

The good points were :- The camera work, indeed. Cinematography. The music, especially Bali and Fareeda. The acting – all of the actors have done a very very good job, but special credits to Rajeev Khandelwal and Kalki.

In the end, Shaitan is a good film. It is definitely not great! And if you do think otherwise, watch Paanch. You’ll know what Bollywood really needs. You’ll know who Anurag Kashyap really is!

Rating 2.5/5

The Heart Symbol : Rare Facts

The heart has long been used as the symbol of  love and passion. 14th February, the Valentine’s Day, sees millions of cards, letters, balloons etc., with the spectacular red colored heart symbol. There maybe millions of ways to impress your partner but this simple red curve can beat any symbol of  love.  But ever wondered what the heart-symbol actually means? Or how the symbol originated? Well don’t get too surprised but the truth is in this post.

First of all we all know it is nowhere near the shape of the real heart, which has a ugly fist shape. Then we think why would the ancestors think about such an organ of our body which we never see in our lifetime.  So the best option available is that the symbol of heart represents a stylisation of the vagina or the inverted head of a male penis.

A perfect heart?

   

Inverted Penis

Yes, the heart symbol seems to have first represented lust before it became associated with love.  One thing that lays the base of this weird theory is the myth about the silphium drug, an ancient contraceptive. There are reports that its seed was perfectly heart shaped. The plant was considered so important during the Roman Empire that it was imprinted on the coins. The plant was ‘used up’ to extinction. Another fact that shoots up the importance of this theory, Silphium has similarities to the word Sylph – meaning slender and desirable young woman – a virgin.

Silphium Coin

Now the question, how come the word ‘heart’ got associated it with the symbol. For that we have a brittle explanation. Like the word heartwood is linked with the inner part of a tree, same way there are citations that ‘heart’ could mean ‘virginity’ in older times. Another example that proves the fact is the symbol of the cupid, a heart “pierced” by an arrow with tiny droplets of blood. The droplets of blood represent the breaking of the hymen and the loss of virginity. The arrow is also the definitive phallic component of the Male symbol – Mars – the erect arrow.  In plain language it is a vagina penetrated by a penis.

So, this theory is yet standing on wooden sticks, but it has some truth behind it. So next time you send a heart symbol to your lover remember you are giving an invitation for an intercourse! We’ll leave you with this quote while you think about this :-

“Love is just a system for getting someone to call you darling after sex” Julian Barnes

Song from a grave,a poets demise.

I am the king of all the poets, the lord of all the lore,
I stand on a higher ground, above all the lament roar,
I grow as I tread, spearing through the wind,
I shall declare me,
I am the god of ego! I am the ghost song!
The words I say revolt me, come crashing on my head,
I live on them, and all that is heard and read,
No sky binds me, no earth is my walk,
I have my own earth and a sky to mock,
Real or right, I coalesce them well,
A grimace on the pulpit as I wither my shell,
Time and distance no longer confront me,
As I am there voice, and they, the song to me,
I weave my soul and my heart, into the lyrics,
They stand as life, as bare mimics,
And now I tug myself into a coffin,
A god must die too, a holy law,
As my voice is heard,
I the song, I the lyrics, is learnt,
No passion now caresses the face of life,
I say adieu to my song, my love, my soul wife,
This romance shall end.

By- Syd

A Psalm of Life- H.W. Longfellow

A Psalm of Life is an amazing poem from H.W. Longfellow, which gives us an insight of what we are deep down in our lives and what should we do to sublimate all the evil within and lead a perfect life. A life which sets an example for the generations to come so that when they get ship-wrecked during the journey of life, they have our footprints to follow to the ultimate destination.

* * *

The Wonderful World

 

TELL me not, in mournful numbers,

Life is but an empty dream ! —
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real !   Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal ;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way ;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle !
Be a hero in the strife !

Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant !
Let the dead Past bury its dead !
Act,— act in the living Present !
Heart within, and God o’erhead !

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time ;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,

Destiny Ahead

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate ;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

 

 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882) was an American poet and educator.Longfellow predominantly wrote lyric poems which are known for their musicality and which often presented stories of mythology and legend. He became the most popular American poet of his day and also had success overseas.

 

 

 

A new ATHEIST

For most of us the question is not if god exists but if its existence does any good to us. It is a very selfish and an individualistic approach towards a very vital selfless and universal ideology. I must say if you are one of them who believe in some faith because of the above mentioned thought – you are not a believer. I would call you a stupid opportunist or may be tempted to call you an atheist.
Now, the atheists would despise me for such thoughts but I think this is what atheism is all about believing is something that helps you. They may tell you to believe in yourself, as you’re the only person who can help you. Atheists have their own beliefs and dogmas (which are very open to criticism) even though despise other religions and creeds.
Most people think of atheists as isolated people with no significant intellectual contribution to the society. I oppose this notion and on the contrary atheists or non-believers have the power to bring about a larger change than the faithful believers. Only a free thinker can challenge and question the most difficult of questions.
Atheists are not bound by dogmas and social obligations. They possess the power to think boundlessly and criticize everything. Criticism is a very important tool for development of a society or religion to bring about change. Everything must be put on the table and should be analyzed and debated. Existence of god is not the only question but many social practices like idol worship must be debated. Atheists must be strong and audible enough to ask these questions to the most highly placed believers.
Only if existence of god is proven or not proven substantially then world can come to peace.
Here is a thought that can confuse you and has confused me all my life. If I think of god as my imaginary friend and not a physical existing entity am I a believer or not?

By- Syd

O Captain! My Captain!

O Captain my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up–for you the flag is flung for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribboned wreaths for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchored safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

By-Walt Whitman

The poem was written by Walt Whitman concerning about the death of Abraham Lincoln. The poem is very objective and talks about things symbolically. The captain is Abraham Lincoln and the ship is United States of America.

Oh me! Oh Life! by Walt Whitman

Oh me! O life! of the questions of these recurring,
Of the endless traines of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the
foolish,
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish
than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the
struggle ever renew’d
Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I
see around me,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me
intertwined,
The question, O me! so sad, recurring–What good amid these,
O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here–that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.



By-Walt Whitman