Madhubala

 The very beautiful and talented Bollywood actress Madhubala, who was the heart throb of millions in her life time left this world this day fifty three years ago aged 36 only.

Much has been said and written about her films, acting, initial struggles, unhappy life and her illness. Lately I came across one of the lesser known facts of her life that increased my admiration for her all the more.

It is said that though a practising Muslim, she had great respect and reverence for Guru Nanak Dev ji and Sikhism  in general. She always carried in her bag or purse a copy of the book of hymns called Gutka in Persian script.

She made sure that every year she was present at the Gurudwara  at Andheri in Mumbai on the occasion of Gurpurab. She would sit engrossed in Prayers for hours at the said Gurudwara and perhaps contributed in cash or kind out of devotion. 

She would ask her Producers and Directors to fix her shooting schedule accordingly so as not to miss the occasion.After her death, her father Ataullah Khan continued to be a part of the occasion.

It is said that every year on the occasion of Gurpurab, Ardas is done for her in the Andheri Gurudwara, Mumbai.

Such was her devotion.

Our humble tributes !!

Lata Mangeshkar

 With the passing away of Bharat Ratan Lata Mangeshkar, the legendary Playback singer today , an era of Hindi film music in female voice has come to an end. Hers has been a saga of struggles and success, with periods of highs and lows thrown in.Besides singing outstanding solos in all genres, she came up with wonderful duets sung with all the well known popular male singers of the times , with speaks volumes for the versatile singing and  quality of her voice. The void left by her death is difficult to fill. Yet, there is consolation enough in the fact that she lived till ripe old age of 92, other example being of Manna Dey. Unfortunately great male singers like Muhammad Rafi, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar couldn't reach even sixty.

Humble tributes to the legend who's voice will for ever remain with us !!

SNOW - A MIXED BLESSING

 While this snowy season, friends are busy clicking and posting pictures of snow laden trees & snow covered roads & roofs thus indulging in an orgy of photography, and still others waxing poetic about snow and romancing about the whole thing, I am transported to my school days and the immortal Ballad 'Lucy Gray' penned so beautifully by Wordsworth. I am still moved by the sad incident of the three year old losing her way and herself in the snow, never to be found again. I am equally moved by the sad incidents of soldiers and civilians getting buried under the avalanches, caught unawares.

I am also reminded of a real life incident narrated to me by elders during my growing years about a Forest Ranger, popularly known as Mushu Miyan, who lost his life in heavy snow, and his body was found frozen,he being found in a standing posture, with a gun on the back of his shoulder and a hand holding the leash of a pet dog accompanying him.

Every time it snows I am reminded of the incident.

Snow is a mixed blessing, a life giver and a life taker.