Festive Monk

Serial entrepreneur ● foodie ● digital activist ● TEDster ● social media enthusiast ● gadget hoarder ● roadie ● tech junkie ● code ninja ● viral marketing samurai ● start-up investor ● coffee addict ● crowdfunding gladiator ● adrenaline junkie

[worshipgifs]

[festive-monk-blog]

Late into the night, as morning approaches

I don’t know why I remain awake

Silently I listen

Wordlessly to the tale of solitude

No one near or far

How solitary is this solitude

Days have faded away in contemplation

[festive-monk-blog]

Sanam Marvi returns to Coke Studio this Season with the soulfully poignant ‘Yaar Vekho’. Based on the raag Bhopali, the song is a reflection of a moment in time that contains a message that remains as relevant and powerful today as it was in the years it was conceived. The song is an amalgamation of observations by the Sufi poets Sultan Bahu and Sachchal Sarmast – from different times yet with views and themes that have spanned almost 600 years worth of human thought. Thematically, the song focuses on the eternal idea of being within the world but not of it – to aspire for a higher understanding of the concept of Mercy within the various faces and trials of the world. The verses mention that while in the world of custom and ritual, in the search of true freedom and enlightenment, one must look inside and find Mercy. The song’s tone is solemn yet with a tinge of hope that is demonstrated through the instrumentation and arrangement of the String Orchestra and the melancholic beauty of the Piano. With the acoustic guitar feel, the song becomes a listening experience that is almost nostalgic.

The song’s overall flow emphasizes on the simplicity of forlorn thought that accompanies the process of inner realization and hopes for a semblance of peace. Ultimately, the song urges for Resolution to be found within.

Title: Yaar Vekho – Look at my beloved - یار ویکھو

Language: Punjabi

برا ڈھونڈن چلّی آں bura ḍhoonḍan challi aan I set out to search for wrong

جگ میں برا نہ کوئی jag men bura nah koi I found no one wrong in the world

جے اپنے آپ دے اندر ویکھیا jai apne aap de andar wekhiya When I took a good look at my own self

مجھ سے برا نہ کوئی mujh se bura nah koi I found there was no one more wrong than me

یار ویکھو رنگ لایا ہے yaar vekho rang laaya hai Look how my beloved has coloured me in his hue

دوست ویکھو رنگ لایا اے dost vekho rang laaya hai Look how my beloved has coloured me in his hue

چھیریاں دا سن چھمکاں چھم چھم chheryaan da sun chhamkaan chham chham Hear the jingle of the ankle-bells

چھیریاں دا سن چھمکاں چھم چھم chheryaan da sun chhamkaan chham chham Hear the jingle of the ankle-bells

یار ویکھو رنگ لایا ہے yaar vekho rang laaya hai Look how my beloved has coloured me in his hue

دوست ویکھو رنگ لایا اے dost vekho rang laaya hai Look how my beloved has coloured me in his hue

نہ میں nah main I am neither…

نہ میں سنّی نہ میں شیعہ nah main sunni nah main shee‘a I am neither Sunni nor Shia

میرا دو ہتّھاں دل سڑیا mera do hatthaan dil saṛiya My heart is troubled by both sides

مک گئے سب خشکی muk gai sab khushi My journey of aridness has ended…

پینڈے دریا رحمت وڑیا ہو painḍe darya rahmat waṛiya Now that I have entered the Ocean of Mercy

کئی منتارو تر تر ہارے kai mantaaro tar tar haare Many who could not swim lost

کوئی کنارے چڑھیا ہو koi kinaare chaṛhiya hu Only some were able to reach the shore

صحیح سلامت پار گیو باہو saheeh salaamat paar gaya baahu Bahu, those who were able to make it across safe and sound…

جنہاں مرشد دا لڑ پھڑیا ہو jinhaan murshid da laṛ phaṛiya hu Were the ones who held on to their guide’s hand

رمزے رمزے ساز کھڑے تھے ramze ramze saaz khaṛe the The musical instruments stood silent

رمزے رمزے ساز کھڑے تھے ramze ramze saaz khaṛe the The musical instruments stood silent

گاون والے گایا ہے gaawan waale gaaya hai The singer’s song has unlocked their secrets

یار ویکھو رنگ لایا ہے yaar vekho rang laaya hai Look how my beloved has coloured me in his hue

دوست ویکھو رنگ لایا اے dost vekho rang laaya hai Look how my beloved has coloured me in his hue

زبانی zabaani …recite

زبانی کلمہ zabaani kalmah …recite the kalmah

زبانی کلمہ ہر کوئی آکھے zabaani kalmah har koi aakhe People simply recite the kalmah

دل دا پڑھدا کوئی ہو dil da paṛhda koyi hu Very few recite it with their whole heart

دل دا کلمہ عاشق پڑھدے dil da kalmah ‘aashiq paṛhde True lovers are the ones who recite it with heartfelt sincerity

کی جانن یار گلوئی ہو ki jaanan yaar galoyi hu The Beloved cannot be perceived by mere talkers

کلمہ یار پڑھایا باہو kalmah yaar paṛhaaya baahu My dear one taught me the kalmah, Bahu

میں سدا سہاگن ہوئی ہو main sada suhaagan hoyi hu And I became a blessed and joyous bride

عشق جنہاں دے اندر وڑیا ‘ishq jinhaan de andar waṛiya Whoever’s heart Love has truly entered

عشق جنہاں دے اندر وڑیا ‘ishq jinhaan de andar waṛiya Whoever’s heart Love has truly entered

نظر تنہاں نوں آیا ہے nazar tinhaan noon aaya hai Only they are able to perceive the Beloved

چھیریاں دا سن چھمکاں چھم چھم chheryaan da sun chhamkaan chham chham Hear the jingle of the ankle-bells

چھیریاں دا سن چھمکاں چھم چھم chheryaan da sun chhamkaan chham chham Hear the jingle of the ankle-bells

 یار ویکھو رنگ لایا ہے yaar vekho rang laaya hai Look how my beloved has coloured me in his hue

دوست ویکھو رنگ لایا اے dost vekho rang laaya hai Look how my beloved has coloured me in his hue

سوہنل سائیں جائے جوڑائی sohinal saaeen jaaye joṛaai Sachal seeks union with his beautiful Master

سچّل وچ سمایا ہے sachhal wich samaaya hai His Master’s made His home in Sachal Sarmast’s soul

سچّل وچ سمایا ہے sachhal wich samaaya hai His Master’s made His home in Sachal Sarmast’s soul

توں کینہہ باغ دی مولی حسینا toon kainh baagh di mooli husaina What worth are your small sufferings, Shah Hussain?

منصور قبولی سولی حسینا mansoor qabooli sooli husaina Think of Mansur Hallaj who faced the gallows, Shah Hussain!

توں کینہہ باغ دی مولی حسینا toon kainh baagh di mooli husaina What worth are your small sufferings, Shah Hussain?

منصور قبولی سولی حسینا mansoor qabooli sooli husaina Think of Mansur Hallaj who faced the gallows, Shah Hussain!

حسینا husaina O Shah Hussain!

[festive-monk-blog]

Kyun tu acha lagta hai, waqt mila to sochenge

Kyun tu acha lagta hai, waqt mila to sochenge

  Tujh mein kya kya dekha hai, waqt mila to sochenge

  Sara sheher shanasai ka, dawedar to hai lekin

  Kon hamara apna hai, waqt mila to sochenge

  Hum ne usko likha tha, kuch milne ki tadbeer karo

  Us ne likh ker bheja hai, waqt mila to sochenge

  Mosam khushbu baad-e-saba chand shafaq aur taron m ein

  Kon Tumhare jaisa hai, waqt mila to sochenge

  Ya to apne dil ki mano, ya phir duniya walon ki

  Mashwara uska acha hai, waqt mila to sochenge

[festive-monk-blog]

So many followers and no has asked me a question in ages. C'mon where are all the anons?

[festive-monk-blog]

The 14 Worst Kinds Of Friends To Have

We all know them. They may be our best friends, our extended family, or just random people we met online. In this era of adding people to every one of our social media platforms after even the most fleeting interaction, I loosely refer to them as “friends.” And here they are:

1. The “I have no regrets” friend. Please. Everyone has regrets. Who has lived a perfect life? I’m sure you could’ve taken a left instead of a right that one night and not ended up outside your ex’s house crying into a bag of Cheetos. You just choose to ignore the past and look forward. That’s fine. I totally buy your statement that your life has played out exactly as you wanted it. [Beware of this friend when paired with the “motivational” friend described below. It’s a tsunami of bullshit.]

2. The “we’re just friends with benefits” friend. Hahaha. Like that even exists. You’re simply friends. That’s it. And, people need sex. It could be with a friend or a stranger. You don’t need to create a sub-category of friendship to justify this doomed relationship. Someone always has feelings for the other and, just like every romantic comedy on this subject, someone’s feelings will inevitably get hurt. You are friends who are screwing until one of you finds a boyfriend or girlfriend who they like better. That’s it.

3. The “I don’t watch television” friend. Really? I guess you just read books all day, do hot yoga, and meditate. You are aware there is something out there called “pop culture,” right? Congratulations, you’ve just excluded being able to have a relevant conversation with 96% of the population.

4. The “I want to date a nice guy” friend. Your life is all relationship drama, all the time; a never-ending cycle of you constantly getting dumped or treated like shit. And, no, honey, you don’t want a nice guy. Nice guys are on every street corner and you choose to walk by them without even flicking your cigarette ashes in their direction. Why? Because those guys, for the most part, are unchallenging to you and are actually — wait for it — genuinely nice! Your version of nice is not the definition of nice.

5. The “it was meant to be” friend. They only use this phrase when trying to rationalize the occurrence of some event in their lives, almost always involving a romantic relationship. Was it meant to be when your mom caught you masturbating in your closet when you were 14 and you haven’t been able to look her in the eyes since? It’s total bullshit. Just grieve or celebrate the event like a reasonable human being. It sounds egotistical that you think someone or something is controlling your life like a puppeteer. Let’s see what him/her/it puts you through next!

6. The “over-sharer.” Also known as the “attention-seeker.” Hearts, likes, favorites, retweets and comments are their life’s blood. They shamelessly post anything and everything all day long, from a pic of the guy on a scooter they saw at Walmart to a not-so-subtle hint that they got laid last night. This friend has only one goal in life: to fill a need for attention and validation. Try to ignore them all you want, but, they absolutely CANNOT be stopped.

7. The “I don’t have time to date” friend. Translation: you can’t find a date who meets your standards. You’re either trying to date out of your league or you are delusional. Take your pick. Everyone – and I mean all human beings here – will make time to date when we are actually interested in and attracted to someone. Just roll your eyes at this friend and let them keep believing they’re in control of their non-existent dating life.

8. The “over-analyzer.” You get a phone call from this one whenever there is the slightest hiccup in their lives. The call usually comes under the guise of something else but, eventually, the point of the call will be an analysis of why someone did something. It may or may not even involve them. They desperately need your opinion (and five other people’s opinions) on this subject because they don’t trust their own. It’s usually about a simple text or social media post but everything, and I mean everything, gets analyzed to the point of inducing vomit.

9. The “I’ll pay you back next week” friend. No, you won’t. You never have. And, it’s okay. We don’t really care. You’re our friend and we want you to hang with us, money or not. We’ve got your back. Your contribution to our friendship doesn’t have to be financial. Occasionally, you bring a bag of ice to the party and we appreciate the effort. But, you need to chill with ordering top shelf liquor and bottle service when we go out, buddy.

10. The “motivational” friend. This is the most annoying friend out there. They are overly positive about every aspect of life at all times. You rhetorically ask them how they’re doing and they will always respond with “GREAT!” or some variation of greatness. They refuse to allow other people to just be sad and have a bad day once in a while. That’s unacceptable. They will come over and motivate your ass to get up and enjoy this amazing life we’ve all been given. They also smile 90% of the time which is totally creepy and makes you want to hurt them. And, it’s all bullshit. Everyone, even the motivational friend, has bad days. They just really know how to bottle up that bullshit.

11. The “I’m so over it” friend. The cousin of the “over-analyzer,” they are the most full of shit. If you were over it, we wouldn’t be talking about it right now. You’d actually be over it and we’d be talking about something unrelated to it. This is also the same person who ends up sobbing on a barstool after 4 drinks, slurring “how could they do this to me?”

12. The “ignore it and it’ll go away” friend. Very closely related to the “over-simplifier”, they shrug off every major issue with a simple cliché, like “just let it go” or “this too will pass.” They must have a book of proverbs on their nightstands because every single issue in the entire world can be summarily dismissed with a 5 word sentence. If I hear “don’t cry over spilled milk” one more time… Their solution to everything is to not deal with anything. Have another drink and listen to the band.

13. The “over-simplifier.” This is the most frustrating of all friends because you can’t have a real conversation with them. They will reduce even the most complicated scenario you can imagine to a simple act and, presto, problem solved. Oh, you got fired? Just find another job. Girlfriend dumped you? Just get on Match.com and you’ll have a date by Friday. No biggie. The bullshit runs deep with this one.

14. The “I don’t care what other people think of me” friend. Yes, you do. Part of friendship is valuing what other people think, and this scope includes what they think about you. It’s okay to care. End of story.

[festive-monk-blog]

Love this song, the music video is super awesome.

[festive-monk-blog]

Imogen Heap collaborated with Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani better known as composer-singer duo Vishal-Shekhar on ‘Minds Without Fear’. Shot in the town of Samode, forty kilometers from Jaipur, this collaboration took inspiration from the famous Tagore poem ‘Where the mind is without fear’ with Vishal and Shekhar bringing out the very essence of Indian folk and classical music while Imogen added her powerful signature and contemporary style to it.

[festive-monk-blog]

Meesha Shafi wanted to pay tribute to one of the greatest poets in the Urdu language - Faiz Ahmad Faiz. Faiz Sahib was a close friend of Shafi’s grandfather and the song holds very deep personal meaning for her. She wanted to perform it in memory of Faiz Sahib for the 100th anniversary of his birthday which was last year. Dasht-e-Tanhai is a prime example of Faiz’s romantic poetry, before the shift in his artistry to realism and social comment. Dealing with the theme of separation, Dasht-e-Tanhai was written in the Hyderabad jail during Faiz Sahib’s first term in prison between 1951 and 1953. It was originally published in Dast-e-Saba and was titled ‘Yaad’.

Title: Dasht-e-Tanhai - دشتِ تنہائی - Barren Wasteland of Loneness

Language: Urdu

دشتِ تنہائی میں Dasht-e-Tanhai men In the barren wasteland of loneness

اے جانِ جہاں لرزاں ہیں ay jaan-i jahaan larzaan hain O life of my world, tremulous are

دشتِ تنہائی میں Dasht-e-Tanhai men In the barren wasteland of loneness

اے جانِ جہاں لرزاں ہیں ay jaan-i jahaan larzaan hain O life of my world, tremulous are

تیری آواز کے سائے teri aawaaz ke saaye Silhouettes of your voice

تیرے ہونٹوں کے سراب tere honton ke saraab Illusions of your lips

دشتِ تنہائی میں Dasht-e-Tanhai men In the barren wastelands of loneness

دوری کے خس و خاک تلے doori ke khas o khaak tale Beneath the debris of being far from you

کھل رہے ہیں تیرے پہلو کے سمن اور گلاب khil rahe hain tere pahlu ke saman aur gulaab The lilies and roses from your side are blooming

دشتِ تنہائی میں  Dasht-e-Tanhai men In the barren wastelands of loneness

اے جانِ جہاں لرزاں ہیں ay jaan-i jahaan larzaan hain O life of my world, tremulous are

تیری آواز کے سائے  teri aawaaz ke saaye Silhouettes of your voice

تیرے ہونٹوں کے سراب tere honton ke saraab Illusions of your lips

دشتِ تنہائی میں Dasht-e-Tanhai men In the barren wasteland of loneness

دوری کے خس و خاک تلے doori ke khas o khaak tale Beneath the debris of remoteness

کھل رہے ہیں تیرے پہلو کے سمن اور گلاب khil rahe hain tere pahlu ke saman aur gulaab The lilies and roses from your side are blooming

اٹھ رہی ہے کہیں قربت سے تیری سانس کی آنچ uth rahi hai kaheen qurbat se teri saans ki aanch Flickering up from somewhere nearby is the flame of your breath

اٹھ رہی ہے کہیں قربت سے تیری سانس کی آنچ uth rahi hai kaheen qurbat se teri saans ki aanch Flickering up from somewhere nearby is the flame of your breath

اپنی خوشبو میں سلگتی ہوئی مدھم مدھم apni khushbu men sulagti hui maddham maddham  Smouldering in its own fragrance, slowly, softly

دور افق پار چمکتی ہوئی قطرہ قطرہ door ufuq paar chamakti hui qatrah qatrah Sparkling far across the horizon, drop by drop

گر رہی ہے تیری دلدار نظر کی شبنم gir rahi hai teri dil-daar nazar ki shabnam  The dew of your heart-delighting glance is falling

اس قدر پیار سے اے جانِ جہاں رکھا ہے is qadar pyaar se ay jaan-i jahaan rakkha hai So tenderly, O life of my world

اس قدر پیار سے اے جانِ جہاں رکھا ہے is qadar pyaar se ay jaan-i jahaan rakkha hai So tenderly, O life of my world

دل کے رخسار پہ اس وقت تیری یاد نے ہاتھ dil ke rukhsaar pih is waqt teri yaad ne haath Has your memory laid its hand on the cheek of my heart just now

یوں گماں ہوتا ہے گرچہ ہے ابھی صبحِ فراق yoon gumaan hota hai garchih hai abhi subh-i firaaq It seems as if, though it is yet still the dawn of parting

ڈھل گیا ہجر کا دن آ بھی گئی وصل کی رات dhal gaya hijr ka din aa bhi gayi wasl ki raat  The day of separation is done and the night of union is already here

دشتِ تنہائی میں  Dasht-e-Tanhai men In the barren wasteland of loneness

اے جانِ جہاں لرزاں ہیں ay jaan-i jahaan larzaan hain O life of my world, tremulous are

تیری آواز کے سائے  teri aawaaz ke saaye Silhouettes of your voice

تیرے ہونٹوں کے سراب tere honton ke saraab Illusions of your lips

دشتِ تنہائی میں Dasht-e-Tanhai men In the barren wastelands of loneness

دوری کے خس و خاک تلے doori ke khas o khaak tale Beneath the debris of remoteness

کھل رہے ہیں تیرے پہلو کے سمن اور گلاب khil rahe hain tere pahlu ke saman aur gulaab The lilies and roses from your side are blooming

[festive-monk-blog]

Beautiful medley by a friend

[festive-monk-blog]

Title: Laila O Laila – (Laila, O beautiful Laila) -- لیلیٰ ءُ لیلیٰ

Language: Balochi

لیلیٰ ءُ لیلیٰ laila u laila Laila, O beautiful Laila

بیا تر ءَ برانت سیل ءَ bya tar a baraant sail a Come, let me take you to see the sights

مجازی انت لیلیٰ mijaazi ent laila O high and mighty Laila

مجازی انت لیلیٰ mijaazi ent laila O high and mighty Laila

تو شت ءِ دیر کت  to shut e der kut It’s been so long and you haven’t returned

زھیراں من ءَ کور کت zaheeraan man a koor kut Your memories have made me go blind with weeping

مجازی انت لیلیٰ mijaazi ent laila O high and mighty Laila

مجازی انت لیلیٰ mijaazi ent laila O high and mighty Laila

لیلیٰ ءُ لیلیٰ laila u laila Laila, O beautiful Laila

تئی سرے قید ءَ tai sare qaid a The beauty of your forehead ornament…

کتگ من ءَ شیدا kutag mana shaida Has made me fall madly in love with you

کتگ من ءَ شیدا kutag mana shaida Has made me fall madly in love with you

تئی سر ءِ دوری tai sar e doori The sorrow of your separation...

مئے چمّانی کوری mae chammaani koori Has made my eyes go blind with tears

تو شت ءِ پاری to shut e paari It’s been a year since you went away

من کشّتگ واری man kushitag waari And I have suffered so much grief

اے ڈگار پلکیں ae ḍagaar pulken This land is fertile and abundant

کوئٹہ مئے ملک انت koeṭah mae mulk ent And Quetta is our home

گیوارتئی ساپ انت geewaartai saap ent The parting of your hair is so clear and exquisite

دل منی آپ انت dil mani aap ent That my heart just melts to see it

لیلیٰ ءُ لیلیٰ laila u laila Laila, O beautiful Laila

لیلیٰ شنک لیلیٰ laila shanko laila Laila, I willingly give up my life for you

لیلیٰ ءُ لیلیٰ laila u laila Laila, O beautiful Laila

لیلیٰ ءُ وشّیں لیلیٰ laila u washe ent laila Laila, O sweet Laila

[festive-monk-blog]

Title: Ishq Kanaara – Love’s haven -- عشق کنارہ

Language: Turkish, Urdu

عشق کنارہ تو تھا یارا ‘ishq kanaarah tu tha yaara You were my shore, my beloved

عشق کنارہ تو ‘ishq kanaarah tu You were my shore

دیکھ کے تجھ کو زندہ تھی میں dekh ke tujh ko zinda thi main I lived for the sight of you

نین نظارہ تو nain nazaarah tu The very vision of my eyes was you

میری ساری تنہائی میں پیار سہارا تو meri saari tanhaai men pyaar sahaara tu In all my loneliness, my one hope of love was you

عشق کنارہ تو تھا یارا ‘ishq kanaarah tu tha yaara You were my shore, my beloved

عشق کنارہ تو ‘ishq kanaarah tu You were my shore

عشق کنارہ تو تھا یارا ‘ishq kanaarah tu tha yaara You were my shore, my beloved

عشق کنارہ تو ‘ishq kanaarah tu You were my shore

میں تیری باتوں میں کھو جاتی تھی main teri baaton men kho jaati thi In your words, I would lose myself

پھر تیرے جیسے ہی ہو جاتی تھی phir tere jaise hi ho jaati thi Lose all sense of myself until there was nothing but you

سپنے تیرے اوڑھے سو جاتی تھی sapne tere oṛhe so jaati thi I would go to sleep wrapped in your dreams

جانے کھونے سے میں کیا پاتی تھی jaane khone se main kya paati thi I wonder what I would gain by losing myself in you?

کچے دھاگوں جیسے یہ ناتے ہیں kacche dhaagon jaise yih naate hain The bond between us is like a fragile thread

پر لگتے ہی پنچھی اڑ جاتے ہیں par lagte hi panchhi uṛ jaate hain As soon as they grow wings, birds leave their nest

جیون میں یہ لمحے کیوں آتے ہیں jeewan men yih lamhe kyoon aate hain Why is life filled with these flimsy moments?

کیا یہ سوچا جیتا یا ہارا تو kya yih socha jeeta ya haara tu Have you ever thought whether you won or lost?

کتنا جاگی سوئی عشق اندر میں kitna jaagi soyi ‘ishq andar main I passed restless nights in the path of love

ہنستے ہنستے روئی عشق اندر میں hanste hanste royi ‘ishq andar main My laughter turned to tears in the path of love

اب آ کے کھوئی ہوں عشق اندر میں ab aa ke khoyi hoon ‘ishq andar main I’ve now lost myself in the path of love

Üsküdar’a euskeudara Uskudara

Üsküdar’a euskeudara Uskudara

Üsküdar’a euskeudara Uskudara

Üsküdar’a gider iken aldı da bir yağmur euskeudara gider iken alda da bir ya’moor On the way to Uskudara, it suddenly started to rain

Kâtibimin setresi uzun eteği çamur kaatibimin setresi uzun ete’i chamur My handsome kaatib’s coat is long, and its hem became muddy

eteği çamur ete’i chamur Its hem became muddy

eteği çamur ete’i chamur Its hem became muddy

عشق کنارہ تو ‘ishq kanaarah tu You were my shore

عشق کنارہ تو ‘ishq kanaarah tu You were my shore

عشق کنارہ تو ‘ishq kanaarah tu You were my shore

[festive-monk-blog]

[festive-monk-blog]

[festive-monk-blog]

[festive-monk-blog]

[festive-monk-blog]