Purani Jeans

More often than not, I wake up with some song in my mind. I recite it the whole day. The song sets the tone for the day.
Sometimes, I wake up, I realise that I am unable to remember that song, just remember the tune of it or some verse, or just the meaning of it. But cannot recall the lyrics of the song.

If this happens in the morning the whole day is spent in frustration. The anxiety increases throughout the day, each time I try to remember the song.


Rare cases occurred when I happened to reach niMBus before others. I was there sitting in the panchayat when a friend of mine walked it. That day, it was he who was struck by this frustration.

“Ashu yaar, which song is it”
(Seriously guys.. I am not a mind reader.)
“are Rajesh Khanna ka hai”
“mere sapno ki rani?”
“Nahi yaar, tanuja hai”
“are …. Raat akeli hai”
“abe RD ka hai”
“haaan !!!! roop tera mastana”
“chup yaar… saare ek saath hai”
“Are yaar .. mein picture bicture nahi dekhta yaar… subah subah aa jaate hai jaane kahan se”
“Nahi yaar, tere ko pata hai. It’s a beautiful song”
“aur koi hint de”
“it goes like this’waise to mein akela hi theek hoon but then if you are with me then I will change the world or something’ I love this line”
“Yaar, Jiyo.. subah subah kya cheej yaad dilai yaar. Aaj ka din to jam gaya”

It’s been so many years since then. But I still remember the feeling when we sang those lines together.
He wanted to sing it for his girlfriend.

Today morning I wake up with the same old strike of frustration.
That song. Rajesh Khanna sings it for Tanuja. Soft music of Panchamda and silken vocal of kishore kumar.

I spend the whole day wondering which song is it. I don’t know whom to ask and how to ask. Search my laptop, CDs here there…. Cant get a hint.

Late in the night, I happen to switch on the radio and this is what I hear…
“yun to akela hi aksar, gir ke sambhal sakta hoon mein
Tum jo pakad lo haath mera, duniya badal sakta hoon mein.
Maanga hai tumhe.. duniya ke liye, Ab khud hi sanam faisala kijie.

Oh mere dil ke chain… chain aaye mere dil ko dua kijie!!!!”

How dearly do I wish I could call him…
All I can do is look up in the sky and say..
“Thank you Ramesh”After all, I know he is watching it from up there... and might be accompanied by Kishore da and Panchamda

I got the POWER !!!!!!!

On a very chilly night we decide to go for a late night drive in our favourite Scorpio.
It has been a while since I have been to the Bhandara and hence, am eager to be there.

Hemant finally gets to drives the car all way and the difficult task of navigating him is left to me.

“What should I expect up there”
“Something like a temple of Sant Tukaram”
“*%^&% !!!!. Is it a spot you want me to be at 1.00 am?”
“Well, you actually get a lot of wind. And, its tax free. You won’t get anything of that sort in Delhi.”

This guy has now spent enough time with me and hence knows that arguing with me can be a cause of frustration.

So we find our road, take the correct turns and reach the top of the hill.

The silence of the night is heard amidst the vintage ambhang-wani and the soothing ek-tari. The wind whirling around is loud enough to absorb us.

We find a place, near the wall away from the temple, from where Dehu Road, Talegaon, and the Express Highway are visible. The newly developed industrial part, I should say. The bonnet of the Scorpio is like a lounge.

This part is full of Street lights and Industrial Lights. Hemant seems to love it.
It is too bright. I look up at the sky. It is a full moon. This implies that not many stars will be visible. The sky, for me, looks dull.

“Now imagine,” he starts…
“You are working in Punjab Power. You bring your wife to this place and cut of the power of certain parts. Such that the lights that are switched on make the words ……….. I LOVE YOU”

I frown.

“How do you feel about it”
“Some kind of stupid bollywood stuff!!!”
“tujhame rub dikhta hai, yaara mein kya karun”
"Aaahhhh !!!! I should have known, Only SRK can do that“

There is a silence again and now it’s my time to break it.
“ What if you throw an imaginary anchor at the moon and pull it closer to you. Tie the imaginary rope to your balustrade, so that the moon stays there. Wipe of the clouds with your palm. Place a few bright stars with your finger tips... oops one too many … you have to wipe it away.
And just wait there for her to come in the veranda”

Hemant is speechless. I think he has lost his thoughts.

Hmm… only Jim Carrey that can do that!