Faiyaz

The name 'Faiyaz ' means ‘aesthetic’ or ‘artistic’. There have been quite a few who did justice to the meaning,

Ustad Faiyaz Khan, still remembered as the ‘Mehfil ka Badshah’ by those who have been fortunate enough to hear him, is the first to be recalled. Among the many titles and awards he received, just the Aftab-e-Mausiqi (The Sun of Music) alone testifies to the musical phenomenon that he was. (with thanks from http://www.itcsra.org/tribute.asp?id=2)

But the Faiyaz I want to talk about is a little known Marathi singer (http://www.aathavanitli-gani.com/Lists/Singer%20Details/Faiyyaj.asp). So unknown is she that even Google comes up with nothing on her.

Sample a song sung by Faiyaz at: http://www.aathavanitli-gani.com/GenPages/Song.asp?Id=90071916790.

It is about a dancing girl who wrongly presumes the intentions of a young man who confesses his love for her. Instead, she makes fun of his naiveté and honesty and points out its mismatch with the place; a place where conscience and intimacy is sold freely. She even banters him to return when he can afford her and offers him paan. The young man, stung, leaves in the darkness of the night never to return. On the same day, every year, she abstains from her trade and, with a paan ready, waits fruitlessly for her lover to return. Her repentance about the missed chance is embodied in the song.

The on screen darkness, the flowing tears, the empty expression on the actress’s face does add to the whole effect; but what makes this song truly sound regretful is the haunting voice of Faiyaz.

Of course, credit goes to the dark lyrics too; but without the injected emotions, lyrics are but poems.

I know this is a classic case of ‘too little, too late’ but Faiyaz, wherever you are, I bow to you respectfully.

For me, you have imparted more meaning to your already beautiful name.

The cherry trees will blossom again

Land of the Rising Sun.

Land of the Kabuki.

Land of the Samurai.

Land of kimonos and obis.

Land that survived Little Boy and Fat Man.

And rose to become one of the most industrialized, industrious and prosperous nations of the world.

Rise again you will, Japan.


The cherry trees will blossom again.

Smile please

I have started a new social experiment.

I smile.

At all people, ranging from highly familiar ones to total strangers. Of all ages.

I just give a friendly smile; though it might look like a snarl if you have my kind of canines.

I smile at home, at the gym, at the bus stop, in the bus, while alighting from the bus, on the way to railway station, at the station, in the train, while walking to office, at the office. On the way back, I do the same.

Sometimes, I smile all by myself.

Have I finally gone bonkers?

Quite the contrary.

I am studying people’s reactions and, so far, the results have been highly enlightening.

And entertaining.

I have the following observations:
1. Males almost never return a smile; unless they are in service industry like malls, cinema halls etc where they are trained to twist their mouths into a curve
2. Females almost never return a smile; even if they are a part of the service industry. Even if you feign interest in the highly unnecessary fashionably expensive anti-aging serum which would help her surpass her monthly sales quota. Or it might have something to do about my part-chain snatcher, part-werewolf looks.
3. Kids always smile back, if you are smiling genuinely. I guess an infant’s non-conceited brain can detect a fake one.
4. Old people do smile back and they might even strike a conversation.
5. Illiterate/semi-literate laborers and blue collared people are more likely to return a smile than white-collared workers
6. People whom you see pretty frequently (like at the gym, in the same train; at work place) will wait for you to smile, even if you had smiled at them before
7. More expensive the clothes, lesser are your chances of getting a smile
8. Foreigners are more likely to smile back; especially the Caucasians

I sincerely suggest you try this:
1. When you see a couple, smile at the person having the same gender as yours
2. Smile and frown at the same people, but on alternate days
3. Smile at people only once a day; keep changing the time
4. When someone returns a smile; stare as if you are looking through them. Or turn 180 degrees around; pretending to find out the person at whom the smiler smiled. Then turn around; if s/he is still smiling, flash your most tacky one.
5. In a crowded place, close your eyes and smile by yourself
6. Slight variation of (5): Look at someone, close your eyes and smile. Repeat
7. Do not smile at people with whom you regularly shared a smile
8. Smile more at people whom you regularly interact with but rarely care; bus conductors, auto drivers, watchmen, receptionists, waiters and the like.

You will be surprised at the reactions.