As I walk alone.....

(Carras Plage)

As I walk alone on this moonlit beach,

Pebbles crackle under my feet.

I look upon the night, all I see is a sky filled with bright moonlight.

Does it want to say to me? I shall guide your path, let your troubles be?

I wonder, does it make any sense, this life I have chosen for myself?

Answers do not come and I keep on pondering,

How do I make my life worth the living?

The worth of my life, who shall decide?

Is it me or the ebb and flow of the tide?

As I walk alone on this moonlit beach,

Pebbles crackle under my feet.

In these foreign lands, I shall do what I can,

that what lies within my hands.

My motherland beckons me thither.

Does it make a difference that I remain hither or thither?

I know not what the future holds,

I know this, that I can't fold.

I stand on my feet, everytime life pushes me down,

I promise to myself, I shall persevere without a frown.

As I walk alone on this moonlit beach,

Pebbles crackle under my feet.

Towards a goal unbeknownst,

I wonder when, a hand as yet unknown,

Shall hold my hand,

Always besides me, firm shall stand,

To steady my way on a rainy day.

To face with me, come what may.

As I walk alone on this moonlit beach,

Pebbles crackle under my feet........

Being a 'Hindou' in France.

Being a 'Hindou' in France can be a very complicated and confusing existence. It is bewildering. The majority of the Hindus in the world live in India, so I shall assume an Indian nationality. In fact, a person from any religion can be a 'Hindou' in France and not only the actual Hindus. For example, a Christian can be a Hindou, so can a Jew and so can a Muslim or a Parsi and so can any other that bears any sort of resemblence to being from India.

For some, and fortunately not for the majority of the French, they can't differentiate between or don't know the two words 'Indien/Indienne' which means 'Indian' and the person that belongs to the religion of 'Hinduism' i.e. a Hindu. I am an Indian and I am a Hindu, but apparently I have realised that these two identities, although complementary, get reduced to one - Hindou!

I don't really object to it and neither do I feel insulted. I just find it to be very funny and the implications even funnier, where, like I mentioned, anyone can be a Hindou! A few months ago, I was looking for an apartment and the lady who was showing me an apartment was so flabbergasted when I told her that I was from India that she asked me 3-4 times - Vous êtes vraiment hindou? (Are you really a Hindu?). I found her bewilderment to be extremely funny and yet at the same time I was confused as to why my existence was such a revelation to her.

I was reminded of a comic piece performed by the stand-up comedian Russell Peters, who says that Westerns have an image of Indians in their minds (sitting on top of elephants and flying on magic carpets and charming snakes, etc. etc.) and then we go to their countries and destroy this charming image. And those who don't believe me that Westerners have this image (not all), I can tell you personal stories of people having asked me some very stupid things, as well as introduce you to people who have been asked similar questions.

Anyway, until I realised that some French were actually not sure of the exact word, my own bewilderment continued to increase and somehow, I was getting proud of being a 'hindou'. Oh My God! My religion commands so much awe and respect!!!!!!!

A boy looks out the window.

It's raining,

A boy looks out the window,
He doesn't realise it's raining. The concept of rain is incomprehensible. The concept of a concept is incomprehensible. It thunders. His mother cuddles him in her arms. He goes to sleep.

A boy looks out the window,
He understands it's water falling from the sky. He wonders where it comes from. Who turned on the shower in the sky? Who is pouring buckets of water on the Earth? Where is this water actually coming from?

A boy looks out the window,
The rain excites him. He knows it may not last for a long time. There is only a certain amount of water in the clouds  at one time. He wants to go out in to the rain and get drenched. He begs with his mother until she allows him to out, albeit wearing his rain-coat. He agrees to this compromise quickly.

A boy looks out the window,
He has already planned to go out and play when it rains. He has planned to play football with his friends. His mother forbids him as he might get sick playing in the rain. He argues with his mother until she relents. He promises to come back soon. He goes out happy. His mother keeps worrying.

A boy looks out the window,
He has woken up early. He is getting ready to go on a trek with his friends to enjoy the monsoons. His mother packs him some sandwiches for the day. He looks ahead to an exciting day. His mother wishes him to enjoy his day, but also to be safe.

A boy looks out the window,
It's a beautiful rainy day. A perfect time to go out with his girlfriend. To have a nice stroll by the sea, enoying the cool breeze and the splash of the sea water invigorating the senses. He dreams of the future.

A boy looks out the window,
It's raining! Damn! He is going to get drenched for his interview.

A boy looks out the window,
He has come home late after work. The streets are flooded. His parents are happy to see him. He has a hot meal. His mother has prepared it. He feels grateful. He goes to sleep; exhausted.

A boy looks out the window,
The day has finally arrived. He is getting married today. It's raining. A monsoon wedding! Lot's of last minute changes due to the rains. He worries a bit. He looks forward to the day. He looks forward to his life.

A man looks out the window,
He looks in to the future.......................................



Ek ladki ko dekha to.....(When I saw her.....) (Quand je l'ai vue.......)

This song by the legend R.D. Burman has been at the top of my List of Favourites ever since it was released in 1994 in the movie, 1942: A Love Story. Sung by Kumar Sanu and written by Javed Akhtar, it is a song that transports me from the real into a world of wonderful dreams. The melody and the lyrics combine to create a piece of music, that for me shall always remain evergreen and one of the most romatic songs ever created.

 

 

Though not a professional translator, I shall try to translate it in English and in French, with my limited translation abilities:

Hindi:

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga

Jaise Khilta Gulab

Jaise Shayar ka Khwab

Jaise Ujali Kiran

Jaise Bun Mein Hiran

Jaise Chandani Raat

Jaise Narmi Ki Baat

Jaise Mandir Mein Ho

Ek Jalta Diya...

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha to Aisa Laga

Jaise Subhon Ka Roop

Jaise Sardi Ki Dhoop

Jaise Beena Ki Taan

Jaise Rangon Ki Jaan

Jaise Balkhaye Bel

Jaise Lehron Ka Khel

Jaise Khushboo Liye

Aaye Thandi Hawa....

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha to Aisa Laga

Jaise Nachata Mor

Jaise Raesham Ki Dor

Jaise Pariyon Ka Raag

Jaise Sandal Ki Aag

Jaise Solah Shringar

Jaise Ras Ki Puhaar

Jaise Aahista Aahista

Badhta Nasha

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha to Aisa Laga...


English:

When I saw her, she looked like (I felt like).......

A blossoming rose....

A poet's dream....

A brilliant ray of sunlight....

A deer in the forest...

A moonlit night....

A candle burning in the temple....

A tender word....

When I saw her, she looked like (I felt like).......

A beautiful morning....

The warm sunlight in winter....

The sweet sound of the Veena....(Veena: an Indian string instrument)

The essence of all colour....

A swirling vine....

The play of the waves....

A frangrant cool breeze....

When I saw her, she looked like (I felt like).......

A dancing peacock....

A silken thread....

The melodious song of the fairies....

The flame of the burning sandalwood....

The sixteen ornaments of beauty....

A refreshing mist....

A gently developing feeling of intoxication....

When I saw her, she looked like (I felt like).......

Français:

Quand je l'ai vue, elle avait l'air (je me suis senti qu'elle avait l'air).....
d'une rose s'épanouissant....
d'un rêve de poète.....
d'un rayon radiant de soleil....
d'une biche dans la forêt....
d'une nuit de pleine lune....
d'une bougie allumé au temple....
d'un mot tendre....
Quand je l'ai vue, elle avait l'air (je me suis senti qu'elle avait l'air).....
d'un beau matin....
de la chaleur de soleil en hiver....
du doux son du Veena....(Veena: un instrument musical d'Inde)
de l'essence des couleurs....
d'une vigne tourbillonant....
du jeu des vagues....
d'une brise parfumée....
Quand je l'ai vue, elle avait l'air (je me suis senti qu'elle avait l'air).....
d'un paon dansant....
d'un fil de soie....
d'un chant mélodieux venant des fées...
du feu du bois de santal.....
des seize ornements de beauté....
d'une brume rafraîchissante....
d'une sensation d'ivresse, développant doucement....
Quand je l'ai vue, elle avait l'air (je me suis senti qu'elle avait l'air).....
 

I hope I have been able to give justice to the lyrics. Unfortunately, there are some phrases which do not sound as beautiful as they sound in Hindi and the meaning is lost in translation. If anyone has any suggestions for improvement, please leave a comment.

It is a beautiful song and it becomes even more beautiful when there is a face that you are reminded of when you listen to it. That feeling is unsurpassable by anything else.

I hope you enjoy the song as much as I do.....