एका जवळच्या मैत्रिणीच्या घरी गणपतीच्या दर्शनाला गेले होते. बाप्पाचं रीतसर दर्शन घेऊन झाल्यावर गप्पा मारायला बसलो. बोलण्याच्या ओघात तिच्या घरातल्या एका व्यक्तीने त्यांना भेट मिळालेली साईबाबांची फोटोफ्रेम कौतुकाने दाखवली. 'तुमचा विश्वास आहे का साईबाबांवर?' आपण 'काहीतरी' प्रश्न विचारतोय हे लक्षात आलं होतं पण इलाज नव्हता. त्यांच्या बोलण्यावर दुसरं काय बोलायचं हे तेव्हा तरी सुचलं नव्हतं. झालं! त्यांनी आपला विश्वास कसा बसला, आपण 'अचानक' शिर्डीला कसे गेलो, वाटेत आलेली संकटं बाबांनी कशी निवारली, मग दर्शन कसं विनासायास झालं, पुढे बाबांनी आयुष्यात कशी मदत केली आणि अजूनही करताहेत वगैरे सगळं यथासांग ऐकवलं. मैत्रीण खूप जवळची, दरवर्षी गणपतीला गेले की तिच्या घरच्यांशी खूप मस्त गप्पा होतात. ह्या वेळी हे अनपेक्षित होतं. 'असतो एखाद्याचा विश्वास' असं म्हणून मी ऐकलंही सगळं. पण मनात खूप प्रश्न आले.

अस्मादिकांची स्थिती अगदी 'भगवान, आज पहली बार तुमसे कुछ मांग रही हू, इन्कार मत करना' असं म्हणणाऱ्या हिंदी पिक्चरमधल्या हिरोईनसारखी नसली तरी नेहमी देवळात गेल्यावर काहीतरी मागायचंच अशीही गत नाही. पण आजवर कधीतरी चुकून काही मागितलेलं सुध्दा कधी मिळालेलं नाही. आमच्या बाबतीत भगवानके घर 'देर' नाही तर लाईट गेल्यावर होतो त्यापेक्षाही घनघोर 'अंधेरा' आहे ह्याची अनुभवाने खात्री पटलेली आहे. :-) त्याचा मान राखायला आता काही मागायचं सोडलंय. उगाच त्याला कशाला कानकोंडलं करा, नाही का? पण जे हा देव देऊ शकत नाही किंवा देत नाही ते त्याचे हे भक्त असलेले संत-महात्मे देतात का? मग श्रेष्ठ कोण? तो देव का हे संत?

बरं 'दे रे हरी खाटल्यावरी' अशी आमची मागणी कुठे आहे? चांगले कष्ट करून मग त्याचं फळ मिळायची अपेक्षा करावी तर तेही नाही. मग एक गोंडस स्पष्टीकरण आहेच - तो तुम्हाला हवं ते नाही तर तुमच्या दृष्टीने जे चांगलं आहे ते देतो. अरे वा! मग हे बाबा, साधू, संत वगैरे 'जो जे वांछील तो ते लाहो' म्हणून मागितलेलं सगळं देतात ते का? त्यांना देव अडवत नाही का? का देवाचंही त्यांच्यापुढे काही चालत नाही?

आणि हे असंच असेल तर देवाकडे कशाला काय मागायचं? देऊ देत त्याला काय द्यायचं ते. आणि तोच सगळं ठरवणार असेल तर मग आनंद म्हणतो ते बरोबर आहे की - बाबूमोशाय, हम सब रंगमंचकी कठपुतलीया है जिसकी डोर उपरवालेके हाथोमें है.

किंवा 'धुंद' मधल्या गाण्याचं ते कडवं:

हम लोग खिलौने है एक ऐसे खिलाडीके
जिसको अभी सदियोंतक ये खेल रचाना है

एकदा हे मान्य केलं की आपणही सुटलो आणि 'तो' ही. देणं नाही आणि घेणं नाही. मज्जानु लाईफ!

जिस्म पर जो निशान है ना
जनाब वो सारे बचपनके है...

बाद के तो सारे
दिल पर लगे है...

(Forwarded)

Exhibition @ chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS)

This exhibition explains nuances of art conservation through 50 iconic objects conserved and restored.

Date: September 3 - November 1
Time: 10:15am - 5:30pm
Venue: Premchand Roychand Gallery, CSMVS, 159-161, M.G.Road, Fort, Mumbai - 400023

The First Firangis - Jonathan Gil Harris

From Soup To Superstar - Karthik Shankar

The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need - Andrew Tobias

Product I liked - Wagh Bakri Instant Tea Premix

Picture this: it's a quiet afternoon at home and you are trying to do your very best to get a task done. You feel sleepy and are finding it hard to concentrate. You could kill for a steaming cup of tea but are too bored/tired/lazy to go through the whole circus of boiling water, adding tea leaves and sugar, then milk, then waiting for a lifetime before straining the hot liquid into a cup. And you hate the very concept of dip tea. I don't know about you but I have gone through many such afternoons. I tried Girnar's instant tea premix but felt it was too watery for my taste. And then I chanced upon Wagh Bakri Instant Tea Premix. BTW, I need to find out the logic or story behind this brand name. The concept of a tiger and she-goat just doesn't make any sense to me.

Pros:

I tried the Ilaichi flavor. The tea does have a smell and taste of Ilachi. That sounds like a no-brainer but in the past I have come across products claiming to contain spices that can neither be smelt nor tasted. Some premix teas drive you deeper into the sleep kingdom but this one is strong enough to wake you up - despite the Ilaichi flavor. Just use a little less water for a stronger taste. Plus this premix doesn't leave disgusting lumps at the bottom of the cup if you don't stir as if your life depends on it.

Cons:

The tea consistency is still a bit watery for my comfort. But then premix teas cannot really boast of the density of freshly made tea.

There is no denying the fact that I can finish my cuppa tea without making funny faces or throwing half of it in the sink in the end. Mission accomplished! :-)

P.S. Neither I nor anyone from my family is related to this company. 

Product I liked - Soul Pickles

I once had a roommate who would reach out for the pickle jar at every lunch and dinner - that never stopped amazing me because I am not a big fan of pickles. Less so, since I read somewhere that the excess salt in them (added as a preservative) can cause blood pressure problems. Who wants high or low BP, right? But since past few months, a jar of Soul pickle has become a hot favorite at mealtimes.

Pros:

The first thing that you notice is that there is more gravy in it as compared to the other brands. Plus, there is no torrent of oil just waiting to gush out the minute you open the bottle. It has a great taste - especially if you mix a dollop of it with simple dal and rice. Just fry (or microwave!) a papad or two and you have all the trappings of a soul-satisfying meal :-)

Cons:

For the record, I don't know if the claim of 'Less Salt' on the bottle is valid or not. I hope it is because it will be an icing on the cake.

P.S. So far I have tried only the Mango variety. But there is a brand new bottle of Mixed pickle in the fridge. And when I have worked my way through it, I plan to go for the lime one :-)

P.P.S. Neither I nor anyone from my family is related to this company. 

The following anecdotes were shared on FM channel 92.7, by Amit Kumar, son of the late famous singer Kishore Kumar:

18. Kishore Kumar was recording for the song 'ये जीवन है'. The music director duo Lakshmikant-Pyarelal felt that he was singing a bit too loudly and requested him to adopt a softer tone. Kishore Kumar asked to be allowed to sit on a chair. In those days, most of the singers used to sing standing. When the chair was brought in, Kishore Kumar sat down and asked them how they wanted him to sing. They repeated that they would prefer a softer tone. Kishore Kumar clutched at his throat, got up from the chair and started singing while approaching the mike. This time the tone came out just as was needed by the music directors.

19. A journalist once reached home of the legendary classical singer, the late Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. He was a bit surprised to find that PanditJi was listening to a song (unfortunately I have forgotten which one) by Kishore Kumar, the general perception being that the classical singers don't listen to filmy music. When the song ended, he asked PanditJi about it. PanditJi laughed and told him that the song starts with raag Khamaj (not sure of this either) and later changes to raag Kalawati. He also mentioned that Kishore Kumar has sung it beautifully and if he had been formally trained in classical music, he would have given other classical music singers a run for their money.

20. When Kishore Kumar was asked to sing the song 'वादा तेरा वादा' from the movie 'दुश्मन', he realized that it was a Qawwali and recommended that none other than Mohammad Rafi would be able to do full justice to it. The music directors, Lakshmikant-Pyarelal again, consulted the movie's hero, Rajesh Khanna, who in turn discussed the matter with the film's director. Finally, it was decided that Kishore Kumar will sing this song. He did and the song went on to become a hit.

21. Lakshmikant-Pyarelal had arranged the show of their music night at Mumbai's Brabourne stadium. A group of (the then) young singers like Suresh Wadkar, Shabbir Kumar were going to perform. Lakshmikant-Pyarelal requested Kishore Kumar to perform as well to encourage the young singers. He agreed but since it would have been difficult for him to spare time for rehearsals it was decided that he will perform on the spot. No one except for Lakshmikant-Pyarelal knew which song he was going to sing. That night when Kishore Kumar came on the stage, he requested that a bed (चारपाई) be brought there. Everyone was surprised but they complied with his request. When the bed was in place he asked for a pillow. That too was arranged. Kishore Kumar then lied down on the bed and sang the song 'वादा तेरा वादा' from the movie 'दुश्मन', without any prior rehearsal.