Experience the Aeroplane!

In a stretch of Ghatkopar dotted with slums, very near to the controversial Mithi river, lies a strip which can tantalize any human mind with the sights it has to offer. The area is called Jari Mari. A very non-descript location. A place where one would not think of stopping when one is on his way. This crowded place is the nearest one can get to the runway of Mumbai Airport if one is in Mumbai. A frequent air traveller, I often am on the tarmac and boarding planes every month. But I was completely bowled over by what I saw here.

When you are at the airport to catch a flight, you are on the tarmac for a while and then in the aircraft, and when you land, you are either asleep or trying to fight the congestion in your ear. In such a situation, you do not realise the magnitude of the machine which you board or which is taking you from one destination to the other.

This place offers you the chance of witnessing take offs and landings of many a aircraft. Standing there peeping through the small crevices in the door which separated the road from the runway, I saw how absolutely magnificient and majestic a machine can be. I saw why pilots treat their aircrafts like their girlfriends and cannot stop praising her beauty.

Standing on the footpath, while a Boeing 737 soared over my head at a distance where I felt if I jumped and if I were bit more taller, I could have touched it. I trembled as the beauty glided away above me to land sending a cloud of dust behind it. The entire experience of witnessing this phenomenon which I am a part of very often otherwise was enthralling.

We witnessed many take offs and landings and each time I wanted to experience the aircraft flying overhead. We kept telling ourselves - just one more landing, just one more take off. We desparately waited for a jumbo to land. Unfortunately could not witness that one.

If at all anyone is coming to Mumbai, I recommend this place to be visited. Its an unusual place to visit but one should not miss it for the sheer excitement it provides.


Technorati Tags: JariMari, Ghatkopar, Mithi

Reincarnation of the Soul

Ever heard something which makes you feel as if your soul has been cleansed? Something which makes you feel at peace with yourself and the world? Well, that is the effect this piece had on me when I first listened to it.

Click on Calcutta City

Calcutta City

This is what drew me to the beautiful instrument called Sarod. I associate the sound of the Sarod to the gurgling of a stream in the Himalayas. Amazingly calm, soothing like no other sound. I do not know if it’s the instrument or the artist who had this effect on me. The artist is well, synonymous with the Sarod - Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

I had this opportunity to attend a concert of his sons – Amaan & Ayaan Ali recently. The concert was a part of their promotional tour for their first album called Reincarnation. It was a musical treat. The pair played exceptionally well. There were times when we could not see their hands as they seemed blurred since they were playing so fast and we were scared that one of the strings in the instrument would break. An extraordinary performance by the entire team. The concert had a piece each which was dedicated to the dholak, the tabla and the drums. Beautifully orchestrated with compositions having names like Blessing, Lonely Spirit, and of course Reincarnation.

Dressed in jeans & kurtas, the team performed like rockstars towards the climax of each composition, smiling away, almost kinda headbanging. They certainly left the audience breathless with each and every composition. And whats more, they even shared some trivia about the Sarod, saying that unlike other string instruments, Sarod is played with the finger nails and hence they needed to file their nails often in order to play well.

Their album is a fusion of Indian Classical and trance in a way. Both men are quite good looking as well (as can be seen from the pic) and with talent like this I am sure they have a long way to go.

Technorati Tags: Reincarnation, Sarod, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan & Ayaan Ali