DP Daily Prompt: Pat On The Back Post by Ranu

We used to have ,The Kiwanis Music Festival’, every year. This was the year I decided to enter my kids in the poetry contest. I knew they were not going to win.I felt it was a good exposure for them. With this in mind I started training them.I realized one of them was capable enough to win. I picked a poem of one African American poet. It was a funny poem. I thought about it after I heard my daughter reciting it. I remarked ,’Are you purposely distorting the words?’ She answered  ‘No mom  this is the way it is written.’I read it through and realized the poet has a sense of humor.

I entered the poem in the contest. I started training my daughter. She did exactly the way I wanted her to recite. My husband was skeptical,he didn’t think I should use the poem.I was determined. Unfortunately I could not attend,I had teaching duty and didn’t get permission to take time off.

The day of the competition, my daughter was ready. What worked for her, she was not nervous.The adjudicator was from the states and knew the poet’s work. Despite the serious  atmosphere,the adjudicator and the audience burst into laughter. The result, my daughter received first place and was selected as the star of the show. I was delighted,and proud of her.Time I spent to train her was time well spent.She deserved ,Pat on the back and a huge hug from me and her Dad. In case you are wondering ,’The title of the poem was,Da Greata Stronga Man’ I do not remember all of the poem I googled to get the words, but they only gave the words of ,’The litla Man’ written by Thomas Daly also. If any of the bloggers have the poem,I would love to have it.

Lahore song from the movie posted and translated by Ranu

Food street Lahore (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There was a movie made about Lahore,back in 1949. I studied there for my B.ed degree. I loved the city.I had wonderful friends. When I saw this on youtube, I decided to post it.

Before playing the song,a brief introduction of the city is given. This is what he says:  I rambled a lot in the lanes of Delhi and Indore. We did not forget the lanes of Lahore.

This is Lahore, heart of Punjab. Lahore brightens our eyes, and palpitates our heart,when we think of it. Its name stirs our imagination of awesome pictures. The secret of its beauty is not the historical buildings or immaculate gardens.The citizens make it beautiful by their sheer presence.

It is a true story of a family. Real names are not used.

Now the song of the two lovers:

Let our world of love stay forever young.

I’d like to live where my sweet heart lives.

We will   live  this short life our way

and amend the path of love.

Whether we are here or not

doesn’t sadden us

we want to leave it

As a   sign of  our love in this world.

It will be sweet memories of our love,

After we are gone,

It will turn into a story

left by us  and fondly remembered

as two lovers who

remained as one soul till the end!

DP Daily Prompt: Drawing Blank Post by Ranu

I seldom take part in any heated discussion. So drawing blank is irrelevant. However I did draw blank in my masters exam. Upon the advice of my roommate I stayed up till 2 a.m .in the morning of one of the exams.I was feeling sick,I did not have enough sleep. The invigilator handed me the question paper.I glanced from numbers 1 to 10. I was required to answer six of them. Well six, I could not understand any of them.

So I started to panic.I promised  that instant.I will never let anyone interfere with my regular sleep hours. The question was,I said to myself,’what I’ll do to that roommate for her bad advice ,is not the immediate issue,how will I deal with all these questions staring at me’,they were telling me, ‘answer six or else failure will be knocking your door’.

I pulled myself together,started reading the questions slowly,telling myself,’Ranu never mind the sleep, you were prepared to handle this,you have studied enough,now take a deep breath and concentrate’. I said a little prayer my Mom  taught me for emergencies. I started praying,I promised God I’ll never make such a foolish mistake again. It calmed me . I grabbed my pen and started writing.One by one my brain was spitting out the answers as if by magic. I finished the four hour exam in two hours.I did not want to review. I handed my answer sheets to the Prof. who had his sharp stinging eyes on me. ‘Are you finished,have you checked everything’?   ‘Yes Sir I have’ was my reply.

DP Daily Prompt: State Of My Year Post by ranu

The state of my year thus far is going well. I do my daily prompt regularly. My friends continue to encourage me. I have a few new blogger friends.They are awesome.

I had a few issues with my physical well being. Nature and God combined,helped the healing process.

There are a lot of books,I was able to read. Hosseini was amazing. Shilpi Gowda’s book, ‘Secret Daughter’ is marvellous. Monica Ali revived the story of Diana in her,’Untold Story’. Paulo Coelho’ s ‘Pilgrimage’ reminds us it is not easy to go on a pilgrimage. Then comes Tagore,his book, ‘The Religion of Man’ is a masterpiece. I am still reading Shafique’s wonderful book,’Republic of Rumi’. It is taking me a bit longer,it is one of those books where you have to include your heart and soul to comprehend. If you think I’m taking long,try reading it yourself.

How can I forget the daily routine of cooking, cleaning and keeping track of my monthly bills. They take a portion of my day.

There are movies I watched,when I needed to relax,only problem I encountered was the violence. I do not know about you,personally I do not enjoy them.

Before it skips my mind, last night I was invited to an ‘Iftar Party’. I only knew a few there. They were all very friendly. We had good food,pleasant company and cute little boys,playing and laughing with large plastic sheets. No there was nothing else. They had a grand time all evening. One of the ladies asked me who was my relative there. I told her I have few friends here. I enjoyed the evening,thanked the hosts and came home.

DP Daily Prompt: Life After Blogs Post by Ranu

Sari (Photo credit: Jana Mills)

English: Watercolor Illustrations of different styles of Sari & clothing worn by women in South Asia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My life without a computer will be miserable. I had this experience a few weeks ago. My computer crashed.I was unable to post or send email to my dear friends.

I went to the store and bought one.If this happens again,I will start reading all the books in my shelf. The books are sad I am not giving them the time. Once I finish reading,I will be the most learned person in my room.

What will I do next.I will gather all my sarees together and find the blouse to wear with them. Put them in one suitcase or my closet with a large tag,which will read ‘Ranu’s sarees.

I’ll tidy up my neglected basement,make it look like someone still lives in the house. While I’m doing all this,I may not miss my computer. Then again maybe not what about all those Bollywood movies I haven’t seen. The songs I wish to hear. I also have to read about different countries of the world.

Come to think of it,I cannot function without my computer!

nazrul song sung by ferdous ara post and translation by Ranu

Do not love me only

love my song too

Who keeps track of the bird

in the forest,

when the singing stops?

Love my song too

Who wants the moon

everyone tests the moonlight

At the end of the song

the flute lies in the

middle of dust.

You will never understand

how many lamps are burned

to give off light.

Love my song too

do not love me only.

The thorny creepers

grow from tears and

blossom into flowers.

You take the flowers

what do you give in return

in the empty vessel?

The thirsty quench their thirst

from the river water,

does anyone think how

thirsty the heart of the river is

from the pain of the ocean?

Do not love me only

love my song too.

DP Daily Prompt: A to Z Post by Ranu

1776 map of Bengal and Bihar by James Rennell (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

An aristocratic family,

born in Bengal,

cared dearly for the planet,

did not spend time idly,

easy going and compassionate,

faced his country’s problem bravely,

gave his all to humanity,

his songs are amazing,

in every home they are sung,

joking I am not,

kindness is his middle name,

love all is his motto,

maybe you don’t know that,

never was he selfish,

O what a joy to know him,

please bear with me,

quite a lovely man he was,

right now we have his songs,

sorry he was not a fraud,

try you may but you can’t prove it,

unlike any other you can see,

vocal chord was his main profession,

wow what an interesting fellow,

xylophone he did not play,

yahoo I am almost done,

zenith is where he belongs!

GUESS WHO IS THIS?

Fasting Post by Ranu

Ramadan Mubarak Said (Photo credit: jotunbani)

For a month once a year we have the month of fasting. This is the best medicine prescribed for Muslims all over the world. It gives us a chance to understand discipline. Waking up in the middle of the night to eat something,wait for an hour to do our morning prayer,makes us look at ourselves and think of all those unfortunate ones,who are dealing with it regularly that is deprived of food.

This is the time when we are required to be generous,be kind,refrain from lying ,cheating and read the Quran and follow the instructions given in it. I am not saying to do all these things only in the month of Ramadhan.We are supposed to do it throughout the year.

Maybe we do not think of these things daily. This month reminds us of our duties towards our fellow human beings. We all need discipline and this is a very unique way of learning it.

To all the people fasting ,”Ramadhan Mubarak”, may you have a very good month and also “Eid Mubarak” to everyone.

DP Daily Prompt: Back To School Post By Ranu

philosophy (Photo credit: Leonard John Matthews)

The one subject that has interested  me for a long time is the study of Philosophy. Since it is connected with reality,existence,knowledge,values,reason,mind and language. I feel I will learn a lot from studying reality,existence and all the rest.

When I am curious about something and ask why that is so,I am told this is reality. Reality in a layman’s language would be it is  what you see. I think it is deeper than what I see.I am not convinced with this answer.

I know it comes from the Greek word Philosophia,which means love of wisdom.

I think it is a subject that I’d like to explore.

DP Daily Prompt: A Friend In Need Post by Ranu

English: Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Français : Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal. Montréal, Québec, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My closest friend is Dilruba. She lives in Montreal. I met her in Montreal. She is a very thoughtful person. We  are from Bangladesh. From the first day I met her,I felt I always knew her.

I remember when my husband and I decided to leave Montreal,I was afraid to tell her. When I finally told her,she was emotional. I changed the subject. We talked about other things. She still lives in Montreal .I visit her whenever I can. We visit some places we used to. Nothing has changed between us .

I talk to her over the phone for over an hour.Our call is never short. She is a friend who will do anything for me. I have often asked her to send spices,which were not available in my city. Now everything is sold here.

I think I am very lucky to have a friend like her.