I hope you live, very well, your day,
And you are a roaring success;
But, God will still have something to say,
Let me see if you can actually guess.
Here is something He’d want to ask,
Though you think you’ve won the race:
“Did you, only in your own glory, bask,
Or did you bring smiles to someone’s face?”
The caring person that you really are,
You’d know your duty towards humanity:
“Without kindness I can’t get too far,
God, I really don’t revel in useless vanity.”
“I thank you for making this day grand,
And giving me the good sense to know,
No man, however great, is an island,
He must also make the community grow.”
With that you’d have deep contentment,
Of patting yourself for a job well done;
Yes, it is good to have a day’s enjoyment,
But, it is also important to cheer someone.
Today is Guru Purnima, the day to pay homage to one’s teacher or Guru.
I was born a Sikh. Hence, as commanded by our tenth Guru Gobind Singh ji, we have the living body of Guru in the form of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji at home. That is obvious. As I go along, I shall mention how it helped me to be guided by SGGS ji.
Another obvious ones are my parents. Both my dad and my mom taught by their example. As I go along I shall mention these too. Their influence in making the person I became is immeasurable.
However, today, on Guru Purnima day, I have chosen to pay homage to my biggest Guru: Scarcity. No, not Adversity but Scarcity. Adversity is a state of mind; scarcity is only a physical condition. In doing so I am paying homage to my parents too.
Like most Sikhs, I read from the SGGS ji daily. When I was small, my dad insisted that we as a family sit together, once a day, to pray. I learnt that being poor at heart was a virtue. We didn’t have to adapt this principle. We were poor and not just at heart. One reason for it was that my dad and mom didn’t expect and accept anything from anyone. My dad worked in the horticulture department in Himachal (a North Indian hilly state). After he died, I discovered that he had paid for everything that he received from the department: fruits, canned and bottled stuff. And yet, dad was the richest person that I ever came across. He gave freely.
In my first ever class in a school (Government Primary School, Kandaghat, Himachal), one day (as told by my mom) I returned home and apologetically asked my mom if we had any money. Mom was fearful that I fancied some toy or sweet. She asked: “Bubble (for some reason I was nicknamed this by my dad), kaade waaste paise chahide ne?” (Bubble, what do you require money for?) And I replied fearfully, “Fees deni hai.” (To pay (school) fees).
Dad and mom gave us the best education, schooling and life possible. Our style of living and my dad’s passion for giving freely to people belied the scarcity we felt at home. He was a great follower of ‘Atithi devo bhava‘ (The guest is akin to God). The best at home was always given to the guests. My mom was publicly embarrassed by my dad in case she neglected to give the guests something she felt would add to perennial scarcity. For example, lets say, dad had got some sweets and she thought of not serving to the guests, dad would say in front of the guests, “Kyun mithai nahin khilani ehna nu?” (Why are you not serving the sweets to them?)
I sincerely believe God loved my parents. He always gave them enough; I don’t know how and where from it came, but it was always there. In my later life, I felt, God loved my wife and I too for we too had enough. Just a few years before retiring from the Indian Navy, I gave us an Archie’s plaque on our anniversary, which read: ‘We don’t have much but we have each other.”
Dad and mom worked very hard. Before, they could have even the remotest semblance to plenty, my dad died in a jeep accident. The kind of scarcity that we were driven into was to be seen to be believed. As an example, mom and I sold empty bottles, newspapers and other junk at home to pay off a creditor. Then, I have brought a cooking gas cylinder from 16 Kms away by bicycle so as to save the bus-fare.
My parents and scarcity taught me some invaluable lessons. Today, on Guru Purnima day I shall try to put these down:
Unshakable Belief in God. Sri Guru Grant Sahib ji has this thought on numerous occasions. In the very early part of SGGS one comes across this one from our fifth Guru Arjan Dev ji in Raag Goojari:”Kahe Re Man Chitweh Udham Ja Aahar Har Jio Dharia
(O my mind, why you keep on worrying about livelihood, when God Himself is taking care of it.
(this does not mean that one should not work for a livelihood. What this means is that one should make the honest effort but not worry about the results).Sael Pathar Meh Jant Upaye Ta Ka Rijak Aage Kar Dharia”
(Look, even for those creatures He created in rocks and stones (tiny worms), He provided their livelihood in advance (even before they were born).
There is repeated mention in SGGS ji about the uselessness of worrying. At the end of the SGGS ji, the ninth Guru says this in one of the Slokas:
Chinta – Taki keejiye jo anhoni hoei,
(You should worry if something unexpected or impossible is going to happen. The true meaning of this is that everything is as ordained by God and we are His children. Why should we worry when He would have thought of the best for us).
And look at what he (Gur Tegh Bahadur ji) says in the next line of the sloka:
Eh marg sansar ka, Nanak thir nahin koei”
(The world has been created in such a way that nothing is forever)
My maternal grandparents have great faith in their Hari Babaji (a devotee of Lord Krishna). Once when they approached him in adversity for advice, he wrote:
“Achhe din bhi nahin rehate, bure din bhi nahin rehate. Sainyam rakhiye. Sab theek hoga.” (Good days don’t last, bad days don’t last. Keep self-restraint. Everything would work out right)
My dad went several steps ahead; he had done an akhand paath (continuous reading from start to end) of SGGS ji almost entirely on his own. He believed that God and he existed for each other. His favourite hymn was:
“Jo maange thakur apne te soii soii deve,
(Whatever you ask from Him, He gives)
Nanak, das mukh se jo bole eehaan uhaan sach hove.”
(Whatever God’s servant speaks (in prayer), one way or the other it becomes true)
What about my mom? Well, in my entire life with her I never saw her ask for anything because she felt that Waheguru already knew her needs more than her and would provide without asking.
What about me? I believe my dad and mom were God. Actually, it is not right to use the past tense for God; they are God. And I believe they are still teaching me.
Value of Things. When you have plenty, you take many things for granted. However, scarcity teaches you to value whatever you have. More than anything, you learn the value of enough. Suddenly you become very very rich. You preserve. You don’t waste. Just three days before my mom went to the hospital for the last time last year she went to the kitchen (almost crawled there because she was barely able to walk) and taught our maidservant how to make ghee from the milk-cream so that it wasn’t wasted.
Scarcity Makes One Stronger. The most beautiful aspect of scarcity is that instead of making one weaker, it actually makes one stronger. Imagine that someone is trying to hurt or punish you by depriving you of something. However, you already have come through deprivation and you know how to go through it. The scheming guy is made to look small and like an idiot. When I was in school I read through a book called ‘Lights Along The Shore’. It was about a Christian priest in Stalinist Russia, sent to a concentration camp in Siberia. In order to humiliate him and break his will, he was asked to clean ten latrines everyday. In the night he thought and thought how to get out of the imposed humiliation. By the morning he had the solution: he started cleaning twenty of his own free will.
Character. I believe dealing with scarcity made me a charactered person, ethical and disciplined. For example, I never owe anything to anyone; I repay as soon as possible. In the month of April this year we had a get-together of my music group Yaad Kiya Dil Ne. Everyone was to contribute his/her share. There is a person five times richer than me. Despite dozens of reminders he didn’t pay even though he had the maximum guests. I won’t ever call upon myself such dishonour.
There is Always a Way Out. Scarcity teaches you that nothing is impossible. If you look at it the right way, with a calm mind, there is always a solution. A person who has dealt with scarcity is unlikely to get defeated by a situation.
Empathy. A person who has dealt with scarcity learns to have empathy for others who are going through bad situations even after he himself has got out of it. My father had this habit of feeling for others and give to them; it has percolated down to all three of us children.
Humility and Modesty. It also follows that even after one gets out of scarcity (for example now I have), one is never haughty or arrogant about it. One learns to be humble, modest and grateful: “God, you put me in a situation to give me some valuable lessons and tools how to get out of it. Now, God, with your help, I am out of it. Make me humble enough to realise that without your help I couldn’t have managed even a fraction of it.
In the end, I can say with adequate pride and confidence that Scarcity taught me more than Plenty would have. God and my parents (there is, like I said, no difference between the two) facilitated this learning. Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, as ordained, has always been the trigger to such learning.
At my bedside there is a copy of a book ‘Miracles of Ardas*’ written by the Himalayan Legend, Padma Bhushan and Arjuna Award winner mountaineer Captain (of the Indian Navy) MS Kohli. It too keeps reminding of my dad’s favourite hymn from Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji:
Why should each day be greeted anew,
Ain’t they the same as all the others?
Well, apply this logic to all babies too,
And see the reactions of their mothers.
Likewise, each day is His unique creation,
No two days were and will be the same;
In each God puts that little variation,
So that each is worthy of a different name.
Hence, to think of days as just dates,
Is not really being all that smart;
Would you like to think of your mates,
As numbers or each being a class apart?
I suggest you think of the new days,
As the best that have happened so far; Good, nice, happy, are some of the ways,
And then against some you can put a star.
And lo, suddenly your life looks exciting,
For what is life but days put together?
Your each day now becomes inviting,
For each day, in your cap, you add a feather.
This was the title song of the 1966 movie: Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya that was produced by BL Rawal, written by GL Rawal and directed by CL Rawal. The movie starred Dharmendra, Nutan and Rehman in a complex triangle.
I saw the movie with my parents in the hill town of Dalhousie where I had gone with my parents from Chamba (about 45 Kms away). My father was posted as a Horticulture Development Officer there.
To understand the song one has to know the story and I shall straightway tell you that:
Dharmendra as Ashok is in love with and wants to marry Nutan as Ashoo. In the toy store wherein Ashok works, he has a close friend Amjad (Rehman). Rehman’s marriage has been fixed with Shabnam (also played by Nutan though Ashok doesn’t know this).
As the story progresses, Ashok goes to the village to marry Ashoo and finds she has been abducted by his brother Bhagat (Jeevan) after killing her brother Bhagwan. Ashok successfully rescues Ashoo and they head to the city to attend Amjad’s wedding with Shabnam.
The train that they travel by meets with an accident. Ashok survives but Ashoo dies. Amjad finds that his friend Ashok is under tremendous shock and asks Shabnam to act like Ashoo with Ashok. Ashok suspects that Ashoo has changed (he doesn’t realise it is Shabnam) and that’s how this song came about.
He starts singing this song (Mohammad Rafi sings for him) in a boat rowed by him where his friend Amjad and Shabnam sit opposite him. He reminds her of the past which is no more there now. Suman Kalyanpur sings for Shabnam (as Nutan) and tells about the cards that fate played to her (she having reluctantly agreed to act as Ashoo at the behest of her would-be husband Amjad (Rehman). Finally, in the song, Mukesh sings for Amjad (Rehman) and he tells about his own emotions.
The song’s lyrics were written by GS Rawal who also wrote the lyrics for the 1968 CL Rawal movie Aabroo starring Ashok Kumar, Vimi and Rehman. Finally, he wrote the songs of the 1971 CL Rawal movie Ladki Pasand Hai starring Mumtaz, Deepak Kumar and Jeevan. All his songs were composed by Sonik Omi.
A complete list of his songs is (Songs #1 to 10 for this movie, 11 to 17 for Aabroo and 18 to 25 for Ladki Pasand Hai):
1″Aaja Re Pyar Pukare”Lata Mangeshkar
2″Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya”Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Suman Kalyanpur
3″Main Suraj Hoon Tu Meri Kiran”Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle
4″Lo Chehra Surkh Sharab Hua”Mohammed Rafi
5″Hamen To Khushi Hai”Asha Bhosle
6″Kaliyon Ne Ghunghat Khole”Mohammed Rafi
7″Yeh Dil Hai Mohabbat Ka Pyasa”Mukesh
8″Yun Chaal Chalo Na Matwali”Mohammed Rafi
9″Humne Jalwa Dikhaya To Jal Jaoge”Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle
10″Main To Naina Ladake”Usha Khanna, Usha Mangeshkar, Krishna Kalle
11 “Aap Se Pyaar Hua Aap Khafa Ho Baithe” Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle
12 “Aap Se Pyaar Hua Aap Khafa Ho Baithe” Mohammed Rafi
13 “Meri Aankhon Ke Ujale” Mohammed Rafi
14 “Yeh Dil Nahin Ki Jiske Sahare Jeete Hain” Mohammed Rafi
15 “Jinhen Ham Bhulna Chaahein Woh Aksar Yaad Aate Hain” Mukesh
16 “Aai Aai Re Holi” Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey
17 “Yeh Vaadi-E-Kashmir” Mohammed Rafi
18″Tu Kar De Nazar Se Mastana Main Cheez Hai Kya” – Hemlata, Mukesh
19″Maan Bhi Jao Sanam Ruth Ke Jaya Na Karo” – Mohammed Rafi
20″Vafaa Ke Naam Par Mitanaa, Agar Tu Aabaru Apani” – Mukesh
21″Zulfon Me Chupana Kya, Main Apne DilMein” – Hemlata, Mohammed Rafi
22″Jawani Phir Na Aayegi mahobbat phir” – Hemlata
23″Pappa Humse Pyar Karo” – Hemlata, Sulakshana Pandit, Usha Timothy
24″Ho Bhala Pyar Ka Ek Ho Gaye Begane Do” – Mahendra Kapoor, Mumtaz
25″Kaha Le Kar Jaye Ye Tuta Hua Dil” – Lata Mangeshkar
One of GS Rawal – Sonik Omi’s best is the Aaabroo song by Mukesh: Jinhen hum bhoolna chahen woh aksar yaad aate hain
Sonik Omi, the composers and music directors have been associated with many more movies than the three that GS Rawal wrote the songs of. The duo consists of Master Sonik and his nephew Om Prakash. Some of their best-known works are Bhakti Mein Shakti, Dharma, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (1966), Sawan Bhadon, Aabroo, and Raftaar.
Besides the songs that they composed for GS Rawal, some of the their other popular songs are: Raaz ki baat keh doon to (Dharma), Kaan mein jhumka and Sun sun sun O gulabi kali (Sawan Bhadon), Lehnga manga de mere babu (Beti), and Donon ne kiya tha pyar magar (Mahua).
The Mahua song of Sonik Omi that was very popular
As far as the lead pair of Dharmendra and Nutan is concerned, they acted together in five movies: The 1962 Rajnish Behl movie Soorat ASur Seerat was their first in the year 1962. One year later they were together in Bimal Roy’s Bandini though she continued being in love with Ashok Kumar in the movie. Then they were together in this movie and one year after that they were together in DD Kashyap movie Dulhan Ek Raat Ki with a favourite Lata Mangeshkar song of mine: Sapnon mein agar mere tum aao to so jaayun and a beautiful Rafi song: Ek haseen shaam ko dil mera kho gaya. In 1988 they were somewhat together in a masala film: Sone Pe Suhaaga.
I saw three of them: Bandini, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya and Dulhan Ek Raat Ki and in the last two of these Rehman acted with them. Hats off to him for he could so easily fit into a variety of roles: Hero, side-hero, and even villain.
Please enjoy Mohammad Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur and Mukesh sing a composition of Sonik Omi on the lyrics of GS Rawal in the 1966 CL Rawal movie Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya with the actors Dharmendra, Nutan and Rehman thrown into a situation beyond their control: Dil ne phir yaad kia….
दिल ने फिर याद किया बर्क़ सी लहराई है
फिर कोई चोट मुहब्बत की उभर आई है
दिल ने फिर याद किया …
वो भी क्या दिन थे हमें दिल में बिठाया था कभी
और हँस हँस के गले तुम ने लगाया था कभी
खेल ही खेल में क्यों जान पे बन आई है
फिर कोई चोट मुहब्बत की …
क्या बतायें तुम्हें हम शम्मा की क़िसमत क्या है
आग में ग़मे के जलने के सिवा मुहब्बत क्या है
ये वो गुलशन है कि जिस में न बहार आई है
दिल ने फिर याद किया …
हम वो परवाने हैं जो शम्मा का दम भरते हैं
हुस्न की आग में खामोश जला करते हैं
आह भी निकले तो प्यार की रुसवाई है
फिर कोई चोट मुहब्बत की …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRnI2xb2biI
Often, my first requirement of a song that tugs at my emotions is its lyrics. These should be so powerful that these can stand without any composition. You would agree with me that GS Rawal created a classic here. It won’t have been an easy task considering that both Nutan and Rehman can only bare their hidden emotions without letting the cat out of the bag. GS Rawal has done a great job of giving vent to the emotions of these two and, in the first stanza, of Dharmendra who thinks that his beloved is behaving differently (not knowing that she died).
Sonik Omi’s composition and music have significantly added to the emotions of this impossible situation in which the three find themselves. It has notes of regret, ruefulness, hurt innocence and that remarkable enigma.
And finally, you would agree with me that the three singers: Mohammad Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur and Mukesh have excelled without taking anything away from one another. If you were to choose a winner I am sure you would choose all three.
In every possible aspect, the song goes deep in your heart and makes a niche there and refuses to leave.
Lastly, the scene of the song: in a boat in a lake with Dharmendra trying to be in control of the boat whereas the other two are helpless for having lost all control.
If a doctor were to tell you this secret:
Spreading goodwill makes you healthier;
Won’t you then be filled with regret,
You missed a chance to be wealthier?
If you think it takes hours to do this,
You assume it to be a full-fledged chore;
Let me tell you that to get this bliss,
You require only a moment and no more.
Kindness for others can be part of routine,
That you follow in your life everyday;
In return hundreds of smiles can be seen,
As you meet them at work or at play.
Suddenly, thanks to you, happiness multiplies,
And you reap the harvest you’ve sown;
Life appeared difficult but now it simplifies,
And you watch how your blessings have grown.
It might just be most profitable investment,
That would surprise you with its returns;
You become richer, you get an increment,
And nowhere there are any heart burns.
This one was sung by Jagjit Singh on his own composition on the lyrics of Chaman Lal Chaman.
First regarding the lyricist of this song. Chaman Lal Chaman is a London -based Punjabi poet, lyricist and broadcaster. The song Saun da Mahina came about in 1979 and made both Chaman Lal Chaman and the singer Jagjit Singh very popular.
If you have been following the singing careers of Jagjit Singh and his wife Chitra Singh you would know that he wrote many songs for them including the most popular Tumako dekha to yeh khayal aaya.
You would also remember him for having written the Bhangra song Balle Balle for Gurinder Chadha’s 2004 movie Bride and Prejudice that was composed by Anu Malik and sung by Sonu Nigam and Gayatri Iyer.
As far as the singer and composer Jagjit Singh (born Jagmohan Singh Dhiman on 08 Feb 1941) is concerned, when he died on 10th Oct 2011, at the age of 70 years, he left behind a legacy as India’s best known Ghazal Singer who had a style of his own. He earned the sobriquet of ‘Ghazal King’. In 1998 he was awarded the Sahitya Academy Award for popularising the writings of Mirza Ghalib. Five years later, the Government of India awarded him the third highest civilian honour: Padma Bhushan.
Jagjit Singh and his wife Chitra have touched the hearts of millions of Indians. In 1990 when their only son Vivek (18 years old) died in a road accident, the whole country wept with them. Monica, Chitra’s daughter from her first wedding committed suicide in 2009, adding to their already overflowing cup of sorrows.
Amomgst my favourite ghazals of the Ghazal King are: Woh kaagaz ki kashti woh barish ka pani, Honthon se chhu lo tum, Chitthi na koi sandesh, Jhuki jhuki si nazar, Tum itna jo muskara rahe ho, Kal chaudhvin ki raat thi, and his Mirza Ghalib ghazals.
Jagjit Singh has sung ghazals in many Hindi movies. Here is a scne from his ghazal Jhuki jhuki si nazar (penned by Kaifi Azmi) in the 1982 Mahesh Bhatt movie Arth
Amongst my favourite Punjabi songs of Jagjit and Chitra Singh are: Dhai din na jawani naal, Eh mera geet kise ne naa gaana (Shiv Batalvi’s), Tappe, Boliyan, Maye ni main ik shikra yaar (Shiv Batalavi’s), and Chhadeyan di joon buri.
Saun da Mahina is his best known Punjabi song. Chaman Lal Chaman, in the lyrics of the song, takes you to rustic Punjab and all the little family and romantic activities that take place during the monsoons. The song hits you both with its simplicity and nostalgic appeal.
It is most relevant these days since it is the Saun da Mahina now too.
Please enjoy: Saun da mahina yaaro….
Saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
ambraan ch vaal koi jhaad di hasina ae
ambraan ch vaal koi jhaad di hasina ae
ik ik bund koi motti te nagina ae
bhiji bhiji silli silli paun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
Dharti de mukhde nu dhon da mahina ae
te tip tip kotheyan de chonn da mahina ae
dharti de mukhde nu dhon da mahina ae
te tip-tip tip-tip tip-tip
tip tip kotheyan de chonn da mahina ae
te dila vich, dila vich kujh kujh hon da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
Mithe mithe sur atte taal da mahina ae
mithe mithe sur atte taal da mahina ae
mithe mithe sur atte taal da mahina ae
kule kule phul muskan da mahina ae
te kise utte dil aa jann da mahina ae
kise kise utte dil aa jaan da mahina ae
te russe hoye yaara nu manaun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
Bharke ranjhe nal nakko nakki ranjheya nu
bada hi hairaan kare mahina eh te ganjeya nu
bada hi hairaan kare mahina eh te ganjeya nu
baar-baar launa pawe kothe utton manjeya nu
dhilli kade kassi hoyi
dhilli kade kassi hoyi doan da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
Ambraan ch vaal koi jhaad di hasina ae
ambraan ch vaal koi jhaad di hasina ae
ik ik boond koi moti te nagina ae
bhiji bhiji silli silli paun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
saun da mahina yaaro, saun da mahina ae
How would we spend our day today,
If someone were to tell us it’s our last?
Will we have something nice to do and say,
Or will we leave our friends aghast?
Chances are we’d like to be good and kind,
So that, by everyone, we are fondly missed;
Most likely we’d put any bitterness behind,
No one should recall that we ever hissed.
If our last day can fill us with such goodwill,
Why not assume each day to be our last?
As today’s generation would say: “Just chill”,
And put our hair down and “have a blast”.
How can we say, when the Angel of Death,
Would come knocking at our door;
And before we breathe our last breath,
We can’t say we haven’t been given encore?
Today is then the day to mend fences,
Be nice to everyone who’s around;
Ah, lets get rid of all our pretenses,
And use the altruism that we have found.
These poems are for my close friend Maj Vishwas Mandloi’s delightful group of tipplers called i-Peg. One has to raise a toast to the committed lot for their single-minded aim of spreading cheers!
The last one was titled ‘Peene Ki Wajah‘
Here is the 15th poem:
एक वक्त था जब जाम छलक जाते देखे,
अब मय की कीमत कुछ समझ में आई;
अब आंसू आंख के पलक में आते देखे,
पर होने नहीं देते हम मय की रुसवाई।
मैखाने में उनके संग हम पी लेते थे,
साकी की नज़र में भी था नशा अजीब सा;
ज़िन्दगी मुश्किल थी पर हम जी लेते थे,
रख लेते थे वह भी दिल मुझ गरीब का।
चले गए वोह, बदल गया माहौल-ए-मैखाना,
रह गए हम दो: मैं और मेरी तन्हाई;
वो भी दो हैं: भरी बोतल और पैमाना,
उनके संग ही हमने कई शामें बिताई।
तब एहसास हुआ कौन हैं मेरे असली हबीब,
किन्हें फर्क पड़ता है मेरे हॅसने या रोने पे;
कौन रहता है हरदम मेरे दीील के करीब,
किस का नाम लबों पे है जागते और सोने पे।
जाम को अब मैं कभी छलकने नहीं देता,
ज़िन्दगी भर का बन गया है संग अब इसका;
इस में कभी मैं आंसू टपकने नहीं देता,
फीका न पड़ जाए कहीं रंग अब इसका।
One of the best ways to start a new day,
Is to think of those who have less;
God has made them of the same clay,
They too deserve the same kindness.
And lo, we find we are more cheerful,
Than we had ever thought to be;
Also, we are distinctly less fearful,
Of the future that we could dimly see.
If comparative happiness makes us sad,
It also has the power to make us grateful;
There are people who just one meal haven’t had,
Whilst with every meal we have’d a plateful.
Let’s fold our hands in prayer to Him and say:
“Thank you for giving us more than we need”,
This is really the best way to begin the day,
And suddenly of our troubles we are freed.
We are the richest men or women anywhere,
We have no desire to always want more;
Of what we need God has already taken care,
He has given us enough to keep in store.
What should be the plan for the day,
To this here or to do that there?
Or simply snuggle in the bed to stay,
And then switch on the telly to stare?
All these morning decisions can tire you,
It is hard to make the correct choice;
There is, but, one thing that can fire you,
It is to try to listen to your inner voice.
And morning is the right time for it,
To think of making the day a success;
See if that small green button is lit,
That asks you not to settle for less.
Imagine this day would never return,
Whatever you plan you have to do now;
So let your inner energy juices churn,
And tell you what, where, why and how.
May satisfaction await you at night,
For having done what you set out to do;
May you have got all those things right,
For this new day that should excite you.
Today I completed exactly fifty days,
Of giving you these Good Morning odes;
I hope you have relished the sunny rays,
That I have sent out to you in loads.
The blog from where these come to you,
Is called – and you know it – Sunbyanyname;
Everyday, you get something new,
Putting you always in a sunny frame.
Have a bright day, my friends on the net,
Let the Sun’s goodness guide your way;
So what if physically we haven’t met,
One fine day, we actually may.
Among all the things that God makes new,
New day, everyday, is just one that is admired,
There are, for instance, weather and seasons too,
So that having the same won’t make us tired.
Newness in God’s things gives us new will,
To start afresh and make corrections;
No matter even if our path is uphill,
We can approach with new plans and actions.
It is one of the reasons to thank Him at daybreak,
For giving us a chance to start anew;
Sit up and fold your hands once you are awake,
And say, “God I’ve understood your plan and you.”
“I start the day by really thanking you,
For giving me yet another chance;
Now I know why so many things you make new,
Their newness is actually a reason to dance.”
Dad and mom gave us the best education, schooling and life possible. Our style of living and my dad’s passion for giving freely to people belied the scarcity we felt at home. He was a great follower of ‘Atithi devo bhava‘ (The guest is akin to God). The best at home was always given to the guests. My mom was publicly embarrassed by my dad in case she neglected to give the guests something she felt would add to perennial scarcity. For example, lets say, dad had got some sweets and she thought of not serving to the guests, dad would say in front of the guests, “Kyun mithai nahin khilani ehna nu?” (Why are you not serving the sweets to them?)
My dad went several steps ahead; he had done an akhand paath (continuous reading from start to end) of SGGS ji almost entirely on his own. He believed that God and he existed for each other. His favourite hymn was:
Dharmendra as Ashok is in love with and wants to marry Nutan as Ashoo. In the toy store wherein Ashok works, he has a close friend Amjad (Rehman). Rehman’s marriage has been fixed with Shabnam (also played by Nutan though Ashok doesn’t know this).
First regarding the lyricist of this song. 
As far as the 
