Tuesday, December 18, 2007

.....the Silence.....


Hi everyone,

Apologies for not having anything to report lately. After a huge musical high, starting with mid June to mid November, things have slowed down considerably. I think I can have a life during this time and work on things that are important. I wish to restart my music lessons, which I have been unable to do but have done a lot of voice exercises seeing that we had so many shows over the last few months.

Thoroughly enjoyed singing all the same old same old songs and now am looking forward to singing a fresh batch. Enough of the old. We singers get bored too. The band has dispersed for the holidays. Hibernation. Many members are in India and will return near February or so. I guess we need to start waking up around that time.

I have no musical news for you. Have heard some nice tunes here and there and I am making a list. Beyond that there is..............

the Silence.

Best wishes for the new year,
Moonlight Sonata

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

The Great Sivamani


Soooo...about last last week....I ran into a thunderstorm called Sivamani. The amazing percussionist graced us with his presence and spent one on one time with all the band members. I had the good fortune to eat food cooked by his own hand and also feed him some humble food of my own. Kind man, kind heart, humble celebrity and luminous inspiration; Sivamani has changed all our lives. God bless him and keep his star forever shining.

Speechless,
Me

Monday, October 29, 2007

Siva's boon....

The father the mother and the grandparent of most amazing things, happened this past weekend....Still feels like a dream which I hope no one pinches me out of....

Don't want to say anymore.....just want to give you a hint with the following photo:

Sunday, September 16, 2007

....Lautaaye hue saamaan ki baatein....


The music practices are going wonderfully. The musicians are amazing; it's been years since I have performed with such a solid group and it humbles me. Makes one want to do better and better. There are dances, poetry recitations and the live band (us). The song selection is amazing. Something for the Palo Alto pseudo-cool Bhangra loving crew as well as for the die-hard Gulzar worshippers. The latter know the songs from Aandhi, Golmaal, Ijaazat, Bandini, to name a few, like the back of their hand. I have never been part of the formerly mentioned "cool" crew, so my delight over the newer songs is lesser; just give me my Gulzar poems like water droplets on a tender green shoot in the monsoons....I seep it up.

Chhotisi kahaani se....

The only thing missing in this show is the amazing Gulzar himself....That would be sone pe suhaga in terms of this show.

Have some changes happening in my personal life and those have been keeping me busy. I will announce the necessary information, when things start crystallizing. The changes don't have anything to do with music, so I refrain from posting on this blog as yet.

Thank you for your continued support......

~Anandagandha

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

The latest.....



You know that old adage; that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I loved this saying and frankly I used to live by it. Then you realize that it's just a sham and what it should be is: that which doesn't kill you makes you think you're not dead and reborn over and over and over again. Knowing my weird penchant for privacy, I may not even post this post until I'm out of it. All I know is, everything is currently a whirlwind. I'm getting more offers to perform now than I have ever received in the past and regrettably I just have no time to even attend rehearsals.

A show recently came up though; luckily AFTER August (Jupiter Retrograde, you kill me) and is allowing me to finally explore the works of one of the loves of my life: GULZAR. I have been fortunate enough to be allowed to take part in this wonder venture. Please stay tuned as I post updates about rehearsals. No more time for audio posts.

Bye,
Mohana

Monday, June 18, 2007

The show was..................


Simply put......................................................







MAGNIFICENT !!!!!! I can't say more, at least not now since I'm still on a cloud. Check out: http://www.jigary.com

Humbled Me

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Been busy with singing...


Amazing how life has completely turned around. I am now completely embedded in singing. A few months back this was a dream which has now become a flesh and blood reality. I have a show coming up with the new band I now sing with. I am humbled and happy that this lovely band has accepted my singing so kindly and are giving me plenty opportunity to try varied singing styles.

Show is on June 17th. Stay tuned for post-show talk.

Drenched in Moonlight

Monday, March 12, 2007

A humble note....


My blog is my creative expression; I realize others would simply have me sing on it, but my artistic nature does not allow me to be a robot and simply add songs on here without explaining my link to the song. I do not choose songs randomly; I have a relationship with every song I sing and I enjoy sharing that with my listeners.

I like to write and this blog is very much a part of my creative expression. The photos, the songs, the tale behind the songs and the personal anecdotes are all my artistic expression. I appreciate your sentiments about how I should sing more and post more but please realize that life is busy for me as well (as it is for my listeners) and that I like to write/sing/create that which gives me pleasure at my own pace.....

Thank you and please do continue to visit as I post more songs and stories :-)

Kaumudee

Friday, March 09, 2007

In Ankhon Ki Masti Ke - Umrao Jaan


Can anyone looking into Umrao Jaan Ada's limpid eyes be able to look away at anywhere else....? Certainly not her paramours who are moths to the bright flame of Umrao's beauty, talent and charisma. The excellent Asha Bhosle sings the poetry of Shahryar set to the melody of Khaiyyam, thus giving voice to Rekha's exquisite persona in Muzaffar Ali's 1982 artpiece, Umrao Jaan. The winsome tawaif, Umrao Jaan, coquettishly welcomes Nawab Sultan, one of her many admirers, who, as the film progresses, becomes the love of her life.

This is one of my favorite films and to this date no one has been able to recreate the delicate nuances of Rekha's acting and Ali's direction. Add to it a perfectly created set, genuine Urdu dialogue and costumes that would make the begums of Lucknow swoon, Umrao Jaan, the film captured many hearts and audiences. The music is exquisitely timeless; though attempts have been made to copy it's essence, to those that are true worshippers of ghazal gayaki and Urdu shaayri, Ali's Umrao Jaan will forever be a masterpiece to be untouched by any other.

Nearly 13 years ago, a song from this film launched my humble musical career; years later I revisit it as an homage to my roots. I offer at your feet my simple song.

~ Rasika

Sunday, February 04, 2007

The overwhelmed heart....


So thanks to a new friend I made via the Internet, I got the chance to feel the first bit of bliss that I have not felt in nearly 10 years. I had the chance to jam with a group of equally passionate musical minds who worship music and who are open and understanding to flaws of vocal chords that have the remnants of cobwebs on them.

My new friend, a talented musician in his own right, invited me to a jam session which went into the wee hours of the morning. I was exhausted and running on very little sleep from the previous night but the continual proverbial "musical drip" coursing through my veins, did not allow sleep to steal my eyes. My ears absorbed in melodies that I had not heard for years, bringing out memories and thoughts of the best times of my life. My friend is a dedicated, talented keyboardist and also a hidden singer that is now attempting to sing as well. Suffice it to say, I give him two thumb's up for starters and a "wooooohooooooooo" for good measure.

All that singin' sure inspired me. I have been using music as a healer lately; yes I know it is cliched since that's the obvious medicine for tough times, but it's something I'm actively practicing now. Music has healed so much and it promises so much more.......

I'm choosing the floral arrangements of notes as we speak to get some more recordings done...............

Mohana