WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR AND PONGAL 2010

We got some articles from sailaja, USA and Neha (grand daughter of U S Murthy (Suribabu)and daughter of subhadra and prasad.

Resolution

The New Year, rather a New Decade is approaching in couple of days, and I am sure most of the people are contemplating to start a “New Year Resolution”.

What does Resolution mean? According to dictionary; it is the state or quality of being resolute; firm determination with a course of action determined or decided on. First we should have a goal and second we should have the courage to follow the course of action. In the unmanifested Universe, energy has three qualities known as gunas, and once the energy takes a form one quality of the three predominates. The three gunas encompass all existence, all actions. Thus every person has all the three gunas and one of the three predominates depending on a particular time. Sometimes, a person can have satwic guna prevail at a particular time, and the same person can have rajasic guna prevailing at another time so on so forth. But no matter which quality prevails, an element of each of the other two will always be present as well.

A satwic (noble and pure) person makes a resolution and acts on it and accomplishes it at the end. That means, when he decides on an idea, he sticks with it, and chalks out a plan how he can achieve it and then puts it into action. This type of person would have a strong determined mind and a goal. His aim would be on his goal and he resolves himself to achieve it.

A rajasic (passionate and agitated) person has the enthusiasm to act and resolves to do something, but when he gets into a problem or any obstacle comes in his way, he gets angry, upset and he feels disappointed, sad and decides to quit abruptly. Generally, these kinds of people like to dream about what to achieve but since they do not have a strong foundation, the goal like a building cannot stand on its own and collapses.

When it comes to tamasic (dull and inactive) people, they are so lethargic that they do not want to even consider having a resolution. Even if they have an idea of doing something, they lack the clarity as to how to do it, and so they become defensive and find hundred reasons not to act.
For example, they say” I want to do that particular thing, but I know nobody will appreciate it, or may be I can start after few months etc. They neither have a goal, determination or a plan to achieve something.

Now, don’t sit there and try to figure out what type of person you are! I am sure most of us will say that we are tamasic, because that is the easy way to escape and do nothing. As it was told from many years, all the gunas are in all the people at all times. It is our duty to bring out the satwic guna out into open and try to keep it above all others for most of the time. Have a goal and chalk out a plan and write it down on a piece of paper and start doing it whether it is a big resolution or a small one. For example, small means, “this year I am going to help less fortunate than me, and go out and pay one rupee to a beggar, and say that you have achieved your resolution, and don’t have to do anything else for the rest of the year!” At the same time, don’t resolve so high that it would be practically impossible to achieve. First resolve to do some action and then chalk out a plan and try to do it in few steps. Do one step at a time and keep at it. Do it sincerely and dedicatedly. Get the support of your family, friends or co-workers and by helping and encouraging each other, don’t waver from your goal. The goal is important. If you don’t have a goal, your determination will fade away and you will get into “day dreaming” mode.

Let us join together to resolve to do something good this year if not for the world, but for our own-selves, because, each better individual will make a better world!

Sailaja
USA

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Pop’s blue-eyed boy
Whether it’s playback for Bollywood or his own albums, Atif Aslam’s on a high.

He landed on the big stage, with not much pomp and worked his way up. A lot of criticism, some appreciation and rising popularity — a combination that makes Atif Aslam. The blue-eyed boy of pop has won quite a few fans in India. Perhaps, originality and a shift from Bollywood has made him all the more attractive to the Indian market. From being known the Aadat guy to Atif Doorie Aslam it has not been the typical run.
Playback
At 21 when most people are still wondering what to do with their lives, this young man was already halfway up the ladder. His playback, for Mukesh Bhatt’s “Kalyug”, is still remembered! And the latest hit that’s taken people to an all-time swooning high is Pehli Nazar from “Race”. Despite accusations of plagiarism the songs are a complete sell away. The addictive charm of the voice doesn’t wear off, whether it’s a Tere bin or a Woh lamhe. Or more recently, Bakhuda from “Kismet Konnection”. The melody is piercing.
Indian exposure
The albums have worked magic as well, considering that in India pop culture has to beat Bollywood at its own game. The number of faces from Pakistan making their foray into the Indian pop scene is daily increasing. Indian exposure gives them an effective platform to the world music scene. And the more ambitious are quickly seizing the opportunities. There have, of course, been bitter feelings and protests against this cross-border talent. But as long as popularity soars none can argue with it. As is the case with Atif. His popularity keeps soaring despite questions about his singing talent. And there is the advantage of any publicity being good publicity.

Niharika
Chennai

Niharika is a 1st year student of B.A. Literature in Stella Maris College.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Categories: Music
Tags: Aadat, Atif Aslam, Doorie, Kalyug, Music, Race

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