Music and travel are both therapeutic. While travel is recognized as a tool for spiritual and mental growth, music therapy is a recognized method of psychotherapy. In some cultures, parents make it a point that along with studies, children also learn some form of art, such as painting, music, or dance. It helps in the holistic growth of an individual. Music is a known de-stresser, be it listening or playing music. So is travel, and hence this series. Continuing with my favorites out of the photographs clicked by Vijay and the songs they remind me of, here are the next bunch.
Look at the beautiful smile on this old man in Himachal Pradesh. His face mirrors his life - simple, fulfilling, with its own share of challenges, and joyful. When you look at the lives the people of rural, remote Himachal lead, it is not an easy one. Often you find old people carrying firewood that weighs 10s of kilos over long distances. They navigate dangers such as snakes, encounters with wild beasts, and lack of basic amenities and yet when they get together over a cup of tea, they find enough to smile about. This photograph reminds me of the old classic "Kisi ki muskurahaton" from the movie Anari.
While the whole song is a gem, following are my favorite lines:
रिश्ता दिल से दिल के ऐतबार का
ज़िन्दा है हमीं से नाम प्यार का
रिश्ता दिल से दिल के ऐतबार का
ज़िन्दा है हमीं से नाम प्यार का
के मर के भी किसी को याद आयेंगे
किसी के आँसुओं में मुस्कुरायेंगे
कहेगा फूल हर कली से बार बार
जीना इसी का नाम है
किसी की मुस्कुराहटों पे हो निसार
किसीका दर्द मिल सके तो ले उधार
किसीके वास्ते हो तेरे दिल में प्यार
जीना इसी का नाम है
A pretty classic shot from Kashmir, it depicts the life around Dal lake very well. We are reminded that Dal lake is much much more than a tourist destination, it is home for people. So many people spend their lives on and around the lake. They set up floating markets here, use their shikaras as their mode of daily commute and also grow their food here. The song that this picture reminds me of is the unusual number "Chaar Kadam" from the movie PK.
My favorite lines from the song:
राहों में तुमको जो धूप सताए
छाँव बिछा देंगे हम
अंधेरे डराए तो जा कर फलक पे
चाँद सज़ा देंगे हम
छाए उदासी लतीफ़े सुना कर
तुझको हँसा देंगे हम
हँसते हँसाते यूँही गुनगुनाते
चल देंगे चार कदम
While such a shot would remind anyone of the beautiful "har fikr ko dhuen mein udata chala gaya", however, to me it has a very Rockstar vibe. To me losing oneself is a very important part of finding oneself. And Rockstar showcases such a journey. I feel that I am yet to have that cathartic experience in life. Looking forward to it. But in the meanwhile, here's my favorite song from Rockstar - another saga of back to the roots.
My favorite lines from the song:
सौ दर्द बदन पे फैले है
हर करम के कपडे मेले है
काटे चाहे जितना परों से हवाओं को
खुद से ना बच पायेगा तू
तोड़ आसमानों को
फूँक दे जहानों को
खुद को छुपा ना पायेगा तू
कोई भी ले रास्ता, तू है तू में बस्ता
अपने ही घर आएगा तू
ओ नादान
ओ नादान परिंदे घर आजा
This rather evocative photograph of two elderly people spending their lives doing what they want to be doing brings one peace. It reminds us that life does not have to be one large roller-coaster of responsibilities. One can and should take time out for themselves. This is not just the luxury of youth, this can be privilege of old age too. The song that this photograph reminds me of is "Is mod se jaate hain..." from the movie Aandhi.
My favorite lines from the song:
आँधी की तरह उड़कर इक राह गुज़रती है - (२)
शरमाती हुई कोई क़दमों से उतरती है
इन रेशमी राहों में इक राह तो वो होगी
तुम तक जो पहुंचती है इस मोड़ से जाती है
इस मोड़ से जाते हैं...
There are so many photographs to talk about and so many beautiful songs that keep playing in my head. I will be back with the next bunch soon.
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