YES, THERE WAS ACTUALLY A TIME WHEN HINDI MUSIC WAS COOL, UNTIL BOLLYWOOD RUINED IT (90’S)

Most of the music I listen to is generally English. But only yesterday when my music was being played on shuffle Lucky Ali’s “Tere Mere Saath” began to play. It’s a song that threw me back to my childhood and took me to that special place and gave me that special feeling everybody once felt, Nostalgia. That time was just too special with songs being released on cassettes and music videos being played on TV. This got me thinking, where on earth is everyone?

WHAT AM I TALKING ABOUT HERE?

To those 90’s kids and those early 2000’s kids (like me) who were aware of stuff, they’d know exactly what I mean. It was an era for independent musicians, a time when pop was cool and was given the tag of indipop which made it sound even cooler. It was a time when there were actually music charts, yes something totally unheard of now. There were also music videos that had Daler mehndi just appearing out of a weird-ball-of-fire to sing a song for us and then just cloning himself to half a dozen others (Tunak Tunak, Anyone?)

Well to give a brief background picture, the advent of amitabh bacchan too had to be credited to bring about the music of the 90's, from the late 70's to well into the 80's music was hardly given any weightage in cinema, it was mostly action and drama that were at the fore, this degraded the quality of music bollywood had seen in the 50's and 60's. This sorta ushered in the new era where people began to experiment and start creating new type of music because really people had gotten bored of the stuff they'd heard earlier.

SOME OF THE BEST MUSICIANS CAME DURING THIS TIME 

Soulful Lucky Ali

The music video of “Dekha Hai Aise Bhi” is one of the few music videos I vividly remember as a kid. His Hitchhiking across the American mid-west and  meeting mysterious Indians, who incidentally had the habit of standing at boulders and waving to buses in their traditional attire. Apart from all that being said his songs were truly soulful deriving influences from Arabic, latin and even folk songs from India. “Tere Mere Saath” and “Kabhi Aisa Lagta Hai” is one of the few hindi songs that are always on my playlist.

You could find everything you were looking for, here.

Euphoria

"Maeri" along with "Dhoom Pichak", "Kaise Bhulege Mera Naam", "Sha na na" are classic tunes churned out by the band, The band’s essence was the use of traditional mix of Indian instruments along with electric and bass guitar and drums gave the band a very standout and melodic sound.

Remo Fernandes

I still have a cassette of Remo’s at my place. Most of you might know the choreographer Remo but this Remo was way funkier if you ask me. “Humma Humma” and “O Meri Munni” are one of his best known tracks. His Goan attitude and vocals were a distinct departure from the music that we had ever heard in the Indian music scene.

Biddu

Biddu is a well know face in both the international as well as the Indian scene. One of the most successful producers ever he’s ranked 34 in top 50 producers ever by NME. His disco music along with collaboration with Indian and Pakistani artists gave birth to blockbuster songs. Disco Deewane, Boom Boom, Made in India (Alisha Chinai) are just a few to name.

The Others

Daler mehndi’s “Tunak Tunak” also was a big rage along with brother sister duo Shaan and Sagarika’s ”Aisa Hota Hai” Sonu Nigam’s “Deewana Tera” Silk Route with “Dooba Dooba”. Other artists that were big too during that time were Falguni Pathak, Rabbi Shergill, Baba Sehgal and rock bands such as Pentagram and Motherjane (Last two not in Music Sales necessarily)

Yes, she was fine.

When Daler calls you, you go!

WHY BOLLYWOOD SPOILED EVERYTHING, AGAIN

Bollywood can never see the rise of independent artists and independent labels. Although I can’t really blame them for wanting to have hit songs in their movies but making artists sing “Tere Touch Pe Maine Kia Ouchh” is just a sheer waste of talent and energy. Bollywood producers hired these artists, killed their artistic freedom and made them sing songs which were on the lines of the film only. Although they did make a few good songs but all in all it finished the originality spirit that we so enjoyed in the same artists when they were independent.

Need i say more?

In my opinion although bollywood has done bad to the independent artists scene, it can be used to it’s advantage too. In my personal opinion if bollywood guys could just pick-up music for their movies from independent artist who have already made music (Like English movies do sometimes) it could cater to the audiences as well and also give a fresh lease of life to these artists who are just being ignored and their talents wasted. Well, atleast that’s the dream.

I MUST’VE DEFINETELY LEFT OUT A FEW ARTISTS OF THE 90’S, IF YOU HAVE SOME DO COMMENT BELOW!

FORGOTTEN ROLE OF THE BRITISH INDIAN ARMY IN WORLD WORLD 2

Seeing the anniversary posts of the D-day and other such World war 2 events, as an Indian it made me wonder “Where were we Indians?” when all this was happening. As I read on further it made me realize there was a whole history behind this waiting to get explored. As I explored I found some interesting details. So, here I’m going to explain what and where did India play its role in the Bloodiest war the World had ever seen.

Let’s begin with the background first. To begin with Indian army had already seen intense operations in the Waziristan and Pashtu regions (Now Pakistan) but its number were low, to around just two lacs, but by the time the war was over it numbered to well above 25 lac soldiers. In fact this is the largest volunteer army till date.

Let’s break it down for you guys, there were basically 3 major fronts India participated in

*North Africa

*South-Asia

*Europe

1.     NORTH AFRICA

In the year 1940 around 36,000 Indian troops were sent to North Africa as reinforcements. These and some other troops amassed together formed the 5^th Indian Army Division. These men along with the others that came in later from Syria which would ultimately be called the “Eight Army” as a whole. The men from this division suffered heavy losses throughout the war and had in several cases helped other regiments withdraw safely. They were instrumental in holding back the aggressive German “Afrika korps” commanded by the famous Field Marshall Erwin Rommel. Later on towards 1944 this same army also went on to capture Libya and Tunisia from German control and thus driving away German presence from Africa itself

Two crew members of a Sherman tank of the Scinde Horse, part of the Indian 31st Armoured Division in Iraq, March 1944

Along the southern side of Egypt (Sudan and Ethiopia) Indian army was part of the operation to clear out the Italians, who had captured the area. This is crucial because if this hadn't been done it would've left Egypt woefully vulnerable to attack from two fronts.

2.  SOUTH-ASIA

This army was one of the most valuable army of the whole war and was also the most forgotten. The Fourteenth army responsible for the South-Asian front is also referred as the “Forgotten Army”

One of the first, if not the first attack by the Japanese was of Hong Kong which was defended by Indian troops but was forced to surrender eventually.

Throughout the war Fourteenth army defended India when the Japanese conquered Burma, the new jungle fighting tactics were unknown back then due to which the army suffered massive losses, this happened throughout 1943 and 44.  Eventually, after a few offensives Indian army gained the upper hand and started pushing the Japanese back. Around 1945 onwards till the end of the war Indian troops liberated countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam from Japanese occupation. This considerably weakened the Japanese war effort thereby easing the work for the Americans.

The British commander and Indian crew of a Sherman tank of the 9th Royal Deccan Horse, 255th Indian Tank Brigade, encounter a newly liberated elephant on the road to Meiktila, Burma 1945

3.   EUROPE   

In 1943 Indian troops landed on the European Mainland in Italy. In Italy dynamics of war was a little different, here the local population favored the allies and the whole country was defended by the Germans, doing so by dividing the country into strongholds. Indian armies along with other allies including the Americans attacked these lines and were slowly breached. Barbara Line, Berhardt Line, and the Gothic Lines were such major lines. One of the famous battles of this front was that of “Monte Cassino” which was fought twice with the Indians participating in the second. It was a German stronghold and several armies had perished trying to attack it, eventually with the help of Indian troops allies overcame the Germans.

Somewhere along the Italian Front

 On 29^th April 1945 the Germans had surrendered Italy.

 

This account may have been a brief explanation but India’s role can’t be undermined, In North-Africa Indians protected and fought in Egypt, without them the Germans would've eventually reached Cairo and accessed oil wells of Middle-East. In East-Asia Indians were responsible for defending India itself and liberating half a dozen other countries. And on the Italian Front attacking the Germans and liberating Italy as well. Apart from all this in countries such as Greece and Iraq Indian armies were deployed to protect economic as well as strategic interests of the allies, without them defending these places the allied war effort would've crumbled with the axis laying hands on crucial supplies they so needed during the war.  Around 4,000 Gallantry awards were given away. This being said noone remembers the men that fought for Indian independence indirectly by obeying the pact of British that was if troops supplied for the war they would leave India. 

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ALSO READ : WHY THE YEAR 1971 IS STILL RELEVANT TODAY


http://parth292.blogspot.in/2014/05/why-year-1971-is-still-relevent-today.html

 

6 WAYS TO MAKE IT ALIVE OFF A SLEEPER COACH OF AN INDIAN TRAIN

Imagine yourself to be a person who has enjoyed the luxury of travelling in an A.C 3 tier Indian rail coach and has always had the company of a family member everytime you've traveled. Everytime.

Well I’m that guy.

So when unfortunate events conspire you to travel in a sleeper class, alone, things turn a little haywire. So, here’s a simple guide for you to take care of if you are faced with the same situation.

1. CARRY A BEDSHEET

Well when I saw a guy on my parallel berth sleeping half-naked  and rubbing his body on the seat you tend to realize that some things are better left unsaid. Carry a bedsheet.

2. HAND SANITIZER

You saw that coming, didn’t ya?

3. APPEAR TO BE POOR

I bet you look good in that awesome T-shirt and funky jeans. But if one of your hobbies isn’t getting robbed in a train then start dressing like a hobo. Yes you heard me right , although you don’t have to dress sooo poorly that the T.T is forced to kick you off the train but dressing a little below your standards ain’t  gonna hurt.

A classic example of a person looking forward getting mugged.

4. Learn to say ‘NO’

Over the period of 24 hours I had encountered numerous beggars some old women, some young with children on their laps,eunuch, some limbless folk and some young healthy kids too. It isn't bad to help the poor but if they’re coming straight off a conveyor belt you’ll have to consider Plan B, which is saying NO.

                                           

Yes precisely.

5. Gather Allies

When you’re faced with the possibility of being attacked along all the fronts it’s very likely that you will need allies and the point is to choose them wisely, some might become wonderful companions and others, uhh well heartless thugs in disguise waiting for an opportunity to slit your throat. Judge is all I ask.

STRANGER  - Would you like to be my friend?

ME              - Emm how about no?

6. Wear Earplugs

There are gonna be several crying babies on the train along with spirited elders trying to share their “funny”and "interesting" incidents with the whole compartment and beyond using their loudness as a lethal tool at nighttime.

A little unconventional but it’ll do 

THAT'S IT FOLKS!
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STAY SAFE AND HAVE A FUN JOURNEY.