I too can sing? Can I really sing. Of course not. I bray but
I love to bray in style. I like singing and humming along songs. I have always
been jealous of people who can sing. Dam you guys. How the voice comes out
automatically in tune. These are guys who don’t need any training. Ever since
they were born all they had to do was open their mouth and sing in tune. These are
guys who now walk into karaoke bars and grab the mike and sing. They know all
the lyrics and the tunes and just throw themselves ta the music. I never loved
music enough to listen over and over and get the lyrics right as well. But one
song that has stuck in head since a long time is the famous Kishore number from
Door gagan ki chaon mein. I love the wordings. A father is dreaming with his
child about a place he wants to take his kid to. A fairy tale place where
happiness lives. It’s a lovely song. When we were kids we had started a kids
club called the Blue Star club. In that we had these singing competitions among
other things and one guy used to win by singing this song. The simple tune and the easy lyrics captivated
my mind and with the advent of fatherhood, I found deep meaning in it.
Last week end we were in Pune for Jispa’s swimming
championship. We stay at the VITS hotel and there they have a karaoke bar. We
were with friends and they naturally hit the mike. After singing along a few
songs, they urged me to try my hand at it. Seeing the playlist I saw aa chal ke
tujhe. The same Kishore beauty. I couldn’t resist. I let go. At first I was reluctant.
Then I started to get eth hang of it and then started singing. By the end of it
I was in full flow, trying to sing in tune with the pitch going up and down and
generally making a complete happy fool of myself. I loved it. As usual my
lovely wife was providing all the encouragement she could. She told me while I was
singing that I suck at it and should stop. She made all sort of faces, she told
me I am too hoarse and that it was really bad. I happily ignored her. Thanks Jasmine.
But now I can rest. I always wanted to sing in public. I sang! It was a big
relief. A sense of achievement. I always sang along with the radio in the car.
Jasmine would always tell me to shut up.
Moral of the story – those who really care for you will
offer you unbiased and well-meaning advice. They care about you and tell you the
truth. So when you want to do something discuss with them and then go ahead and
do or don’t do exactly what you want to do or not do. It’s your life. Only you know what you really
want to do. In end you answer to yourself. Not your mom or dad or anyone. The closer
they are the greater the vested interest in you. They really care for you and
hence they can’t really be unbiased as regards you. So they will tell you the
truth but progress never depended on what accepted as truth. There is no real
truth to start with. Do your bit. It is finally your life at stake and it’s not
likely that you will get the chance to live it again.
So Jispa when you grow older and I give you well-meaning and
trusted advice that is likely to be the right thing to do. Listen carefully and
then just go and do your own freaking thing. JUMP!
