R.I.P. Michael Jackson: The Greatest of All Time

Monday, June 29, 2009

It still has not hit me. It feels so strange. Michael Jackson is dead. He was only 50 years old, a milestone age. He just celebrated the 25th anniversary of "Thriller," the best-selling album of all time, and re-released it in February.He was scheduled to start his show run in London in a few weeks at the O2.Maybe Michael's career had reached its peak, but I was not convinced that he was done with music. When he turned 50 last August,everyone wondered if he would make a comeback,if he would get past the controversies dominating his news coverage for the past 10 years.The answer was a yes. He had planned for a comeback concert at London.

People often underestimate the power of music, and the effect that it has on us. We sometimes forget how a great song with a feel-good message lifts us up, and makes us smile and remember the place we had the most fun dancing to it and with whom.Michael Jackson is one of the few artists in the history of the art form to be able to take one song, like "Billie Jean," and reach people of all age groups,races, and nationalities.Michael has done this time and time again for decades, as both a solo artist and member of The Jackson 5.

This type of legacy cannot be erased by even the most horrible of charges and allegations. His music and performances are historic and forever engrained in our hearts.He has been the guy considered invincible who always seems to come back. He is only 50. He was on the verge of such a big comeback with his concerts. No matter what he's gone through or what the crazy circumstances and dark period of his life with that poor trial-that taken aside-he is one of the musical geniuses of our times, truly the King of Pop.I never learned to do his moonwalk dance move, but like everyone else, I was blown away when I see him do it.

I know he had been dealing with a lot these last few years. I hope that at the time of his passing he was in a happy place. Reportedly, he had been rehearsing in Los Angeles for the last two months, preparing for his London dates. His 50-year-old life may have been short, but it was impactful. His accomplishments are tremendous.I offer my sincere condolences to his children, parents, siblings, and other family members, and to his friends and fans.


The New Limca Jingle

Thursday, June 25, 2009


Its been sometime since the Coca-cola came up with this beautiful Limca ad. I don’t think I have seen any better cold-drinks ad than this one till date. It has become a rage these days with brands such as Airtel, Hutch, TOI, Insurance ads etc all trying to hit the emotional quotient of people and with this ‘freshness of emotions’ theme, I think, Coca-cola has gone one step ahead.

The idea of splashing of water was very refreshing and the cool melodious score in the background was just icing on cake. It reminds me of the song ‘bhaagey re mann kahin’ from chameli where most of the things except the purpose are quite similar to the ones in this ad. It maintains a subtle pace throughout the show and the perfect balance in all respects keeps everyone glued to it till the end. It’s a treat to watch it at the end of a long hard day work and the lyrics is also so soothing that one keeps humming it throughout the remaining time. With it providing both visual and audio appeal and the perfect execution by actors, singer and other artists, it has certainly gone down well with the young adults of our generation. Its something that everyone in todays fast moving world can relate to and it definitely deserves a place in my all time favourites. Kudos to it and would like to end with its lyrics only:

“Fuhaarein, bochharein, nazaaare chura lo na,

kuch boondein chura lo na;

Thaki si zindagi se, ruki si zindagi se,

kuch lamhe chura lo na…;


Kuch yaddein, aur sapne, apne chura lo na;

ooo Ruki si zindagi se, thaki si zindagi se,

raftaarein chura lo na…


lukka chupi khelti hai,

bheed mein hazaaron kaliyaan (hazaaron kaliyaan);

mmmm galiyon mein yun bheed banke,

chup gayi hain saari khushiyaan (saari….saari khushiyaan);

Khushiyon ko bula lo na,

muskaane churalo naaaa…

sulagti pyaas hai toh,

machalti pyaas hai toh;

ek limca churalo na.


Kuch yaddein, aur sapne, apne chura lo na;

Ruki si zindagi se, thaki si zindagi se,

raftaarein chura lo na…””