Travel & Music - a brilliant photo for each song, a memorable song for each photo - Part 3

Before human populations began mass migrations, there was still some commonality in the way civilizations developed. All civilizations developed tools and weapons. All societies developed the definition of some socially acceptable behavior - almost all of which involved commitment in relationships. Visual arts emerged everywhere, evidence still exists in the form of cave paintings that can be found almost in all parts of the world. And all cultures developed some form of music and dance. The commonality can be easily understood when it comes to skills required for survival, but when it comes to artistic outlet, most likely it developed out of imagination, than necessity. And this makes it so much more remarkable.

 

I think arts elevate the human mind and are very important for spiritual growth as well. As is travel. And this is what makes art a perfect companion for travel. Music in particular. In this series, I explore memorable music along with some photographs clicked by VJ Sharma that inspire me. 

Nature is the biggest artist. It adds drama,  and manages to surprise us at every step. One example, of such artistry is this face of Buddha emerging out of this ancient tree in Phra Mahathat in Ayutthaya, Thailand. Apparently, these faces of Buddha were lying around in this dilapidated temple complex and this tree just grew around it and carried it up with itself. It took centuries, but then all good thing take time. The song that this reminds me of is "Bol do meethe bol, Sohniye" from the movie Sohni Mahiwal. 

Don't ask me why this photograph reminds me of this song. Perhaps my favorite lines would give you a clue:

जी करता है इस मिट्टी से तेरे जैसा बुत एक बनाऊँ

सजदे उसको कर कर के मैं आज मुसलमाँ

से क़ाफ़िर बन जाऊँ, अरे सोणिये

तौबा कर तौबा, मुँह से क़ुफ़्र न बोल सोणिया

मुँह से क़ुफ़्र न बोल सोणिया

मिट्टी है अनमोल सोणिया

Here's another example of a beautiful painting done by nature. Sunset and beach, what else do we need? Some clouds to add the drama and some faraway island to break the monotony of the sea. And some humans to add a perspective. Even the clouds here are like brushstrokes. The song this photograph reminds me of is "Mere sang to chal zara..." from the movie New York.

My favorite lines from this song:

रुकना ना राहों में रोके अगर कल तुझे परच्छाइया

संग तेरे मैं भी हूँ तन्हा नही है तेरी तन्हाईया

रुकना ना राहों में रोके अगर कल तुझे परच्छाइया

संग तेरे मैं भी हूँ तन्हा नही है तेरी तन्हाईया

मैं जो संग हूँ तेरे रंग हूँ, राहों से तेरी चुन लू मैं खाब

हर लमहा यूँ गुज़रे के गहराता जाए प्यार

मेरे संग तो चल ज़रा, क्यूँ दिखे डरा डरा

मेरे संग तो चल ज़रा, क्यूँ दिखे डरा डरा

चल तुझको आ छुपालु अपनी मैं बाहों में

चल खाब कुछ सज़ा दू तेरी इन्न निगाहों में

मैं जो संग हूँ तेरे रंग हूँ, राहों से तेरी चुन लू मैं खाब

हर लमहा यूँ गुज़रे के गहराता जाए प्यार

There's something about water droplets that makes them photogenic in almost any setting. Be it in the form of dew drops on a spiderweb or rain drops on flowers, water adds beauty. In this simple photograph of newly washed glassware, it is the spilled water drops that make it a good composition for a photograph. The song that this photograph reminds me of is "Bhaage re mann" from the movie Chameli. 

My favorite lines from the song:

चले ठंडी हवा

संग मन भी गया

ढूँढूं मैं कहाँ उसको

बतलाये कोई मुझको

की हाँ हाँ हाँ रे

भागे रे मन कहीं आगे रे मन

चला जाने किधर जानूँ ना

There are few things as magnificent as the night sky, especially if you happen to be somewhere far away from air and light pollution. The sheer brilliance of the stars and the sight of the milky way makes you wonder how limited our perception of the universe really is, and how insignificant we actually are in the larger scheme of things. This photograph also reminds me that there are really no limits to how much we can explore. With every decision we make, there is a different world we can explore. And at every turn, our lives may change forever. This photograph reminds me of the classic "The Final Countdown" by Europe. 

My favorite lines from the song:

We're leaving together,

But still it's farewell

And maybe we'll come back

To earth, who can tell?

I guess there is no one to blame

We're leaving ground (leaving ground)

Will things ever be the same again?

It's the final countdown

The final countdown

There are so many photographs that inspire and so many songs that I keep singing in my mind when I look at them, that I feel I can keep on writing this series forever. Let's see how many posts come out of it.