The Soldiers of Peace - Cesar Lopez

On the eve of 31st October 2011, I was itching to do something, in the coming week, different from my mundane life. And at an online portal I stumbled upon this 'Peace Concert' that was happening at India Habitat Center on the 1st Nov. There were options..difficult to choose but anyhow, I went. It was organised by the UNODC in association with the Embassy of Colombia in India. They invited this very unusual Colombian musician César Lopez to India, where he presented the escopetarra (its actually an AK-47 rifle which he has turned into a guitar) to the 'Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Smriti' in New Delhi on 31st October 2011. Later he also performed at a 'Music for Peace' concert on 1st November 2011 at the Stein Auditorium, New Delhi as part of the Delhi International Arts Festival (DIAF) 2011.

And when I say the rest is history, It'll be an understatement. Because I was downright floored. I urge you to read more about Cesar and the brilliant work that he's doing in his part of the world torn by the civil war of many years.


http://www.unodc.org/southasia//frontpage/2011/october/india-striking-the-peace-chord-colombian-musician-cesar-lopez-and-the-escopetarra-come-to-india.html

Lovely compositions! And what a lovely transformation - from blame and hate energy into love and music. but what touched me is the initiative, the story behind that Gun Cesar very proudly shows off. Cesar was accompanied by two more artists - one on the acoustic guitar and another on a Spanish drum (cajón - Spanish pronunciation: [kaˈxon]).

His music, some may call it amateur but I felt that he's more, much more passionate than most of the musicians today. And I don't say this for the kind of music he does, but the purpose that makes this kind of music flow. Even if  the language was foreign to me, he managed to touch the chord among the non Spanish speaking audience. The emotion, the intensity of his purpose, and the melody of the artist was palpable. The words had lost their meaning in that moment. Seeing this unusual instrument was a feast by itself. 


The event was exceptional in what I have attended in all these years.Cesar is yet one more example of what one man is capable of doing, if he wills, to bring about change - no matter how little. It continues to INSPIRE and FEED my own passion to give back to the community.

Thanks Cesar for being! 

This is link to the video of the event (just a clip actually. not as good as the energy & emotion of the live performance but nevertheless nice). Enjoy it! - 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVYzN9tCtS8&feature=related

Here are some pictures I clicked at the event -  

Thoughts of you

In faint thoughts of you
I remember the candlelight
that burnt me
The moonlight
when i cried
the roads and turns
where i was dragged
The heights
from where i was pushed
The winds
which blew my hair
and my dreams away
In faint thoughts of you
I recollect the love
for the miseries
that i grew to cherish
and the 'little' sweet things
that tore me apart.

Look..

It rained last night..

it brought back the plight
the plight of the sight.

Sight of the drops of rain

which settle at the leaves

and slide down to fall on my face.

I feel them & their touch

the cool reaches my heart

makes me love

 my life..

 They fall harder..

I step out from under the tree

with a wish to feel free.

Everything goes dry

the moment i hit a stone

& say,

"excuse me.."

The plight begins and the sight ends

when I hear..

can't u see..???

I go back

under the tree

with a wish..

a wish that I could see

the raindrops settle at the leaves

& slide down to fall

on my face

just standing under the tree....

The book

Ruffling of pages

the thick dark book

livid content

sharp scalding words

a book 

washed in history

of betrayal and war

birth and death

beginning without an end

drink it don't read

taste it don't feel

carry on don't complete

flourish it don't recede

it grows within you

and you drip

ages later 

it lies on your shelf

hot and crisp

there's no end

it goes on

its a culture

a phenomenon

legend seeds from it

a world emanates from it.

It's a small world!!!!!

When the world thinks

they sleep & they rest

they seem so alive

and at their best..

as their leaves

rustle and move

the sound sounds

like "yaee..."

they seem to whisper

"At such a time when

the sun is down

and the stars shine

when i should be

deep in sleep

when the owls perched on me

they fly,

if i can be so alive..

if i can smile..

what's wrong

with you there..

who chooses this rainy night

to wipe away your falling tears..???"

"oh dear tree..

it's this night that makes me

cry..

or i feel like it

maybe i am crying

or it seems like it..!!

it's the raindrops,o generous soul

which fall & slide down

my face

they are much too many

to fall down

i am just increasing the space.!!"

Angels

When the clouds of melancholy
hover around your present
when all inspiration is lost
i see that all it takes
is trust,
faith,
in the beauty of the universe
that all you ask for
and all that u NEED
is given.
when you believe
that your reality
is not just the circumstances
its is the power
that your thoughts have
to create your NOW
they sound and seem like words
but yes they are Angels in disguise
to guide us through our pain and plight
Angels is not what we find above..
..we find them..
inside.

Me

stifled

shackled

bolted upon

lied to

hurt

taken for granted

betrayed

shaken

made to cry

alone

broken

falling....

Voices of the night

Voices of the night

dark and sultry

resound in my head

taking the place

of the din of my mind

Just when the silence

pierces you deep

your heart turns cold, and

frost shines through your eyes

The darkness falls

casting its dense shadow

over the vast expanse of

my head and heart

The crunch 

of the gravel sounds like

dreams breaking into shards

of the smallest size

The guttural sound

of the unknown bird

makes my voice choke

and vibrate

Despite the cracking fire

the pallor

of the night

takes me by surprise.

Harry Potter

Harry Potter has been a part of my life since I was 11. Today when I have turned 23, I realize how important a part it is. It can still make me cry..make me laugh..give me chills down my spine.. This series is not just mere books one reads over time.. its a phenomenon which seeps..percolates..brews..simmers within you now and for always.. Its not something that you read and get it over with.. It Lasts. 

7 books 3 heroes.. actually hero is another thing.. This story is not about being a hero or counting how many it had..I felt its something about having it within.. till you realize it. Everyone says its a book to be read by children..I disagree. Its something one doesn't read. It Is. I have at many points from book1 to book7 realised that it doesn't only have a plot.. its so much so much more.. It gave me lessons to follow, memories to remember something that will stay with me. For life. 

More than once the books give you words.. moments which will BE with you.. they grow with you.. 

This series is a legacy. Its not something you own or you read. Its something one passes on.

Here's a video made by someone as a tribute to this phenomenon. I watched it I don't know how many times. Every time wanting not to cry.. But as they say..its wishful thinking. It left me with moist eyes every. single. time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFBzZfxkWUg

Some great Memories

Me with my Idol - Ruskin Bond.

The day I went click click after a long haul!!

My first ever Business venture!! This memory shall always remain special..

Some old time shots.

Along the way to some metro station.

At Lodi Garden.

In full bloom.

In a hotel in Mussoorie.

Withered 

In the coldest of winters a lone tree in college standing stoic and 'carved'...

Raindrops falling on baby grapes..!