“Come on Dnyanesh, you just can’t write a romantic poem out of the blue. Just tell me who’s that girl? Tell us about her” asked Gauri

“Brown eyes, short height and a cute smile with some Gen-Z traits like listening to remake of old songs, that’s all I can spare, don’t ask for more”, I replied.

“Wait what? She listens to that musician? Dude just drop her, how can you like someone with such a pathetic music taste?” Said Gauri

“नाही पण seriously, कसलं नशीब ए तिचं. आमच्यासाठी नाही बाबा कुणी कधी अशा कविता वगैरे लिहिल्या! सांग ना काय नाव आहे तिचं? Or shall we guess?” Vedika added.

At the four wheeler parking of DESPU’s building in the BMCC campus, 3 confused souls were thinking about what exactly to do in the cultural fest until the topic changed to that specific girl who wasn’t there at the moment. Gauri and Vedika thus started a great conversation that was so hilarious it made it to the top of this blog.

Mandar came around with Shiva and Natasha. After a while, Pournima and Aishwarya also joined. A group of girls led by Priya were practicing their dance. I went to add some points only to find myself, Pournima and Mandar eventually participating in the group dance. That was a moment’s business though, as the entire dance was cancelled, but we did have some fun that day.

Gauri and Vedika had already left before Priya had arrived for their dance practice. I went to them for their bluetooth speaker, practiced a few songs and then we left.

The next day, there was an induction programme at college. I led the PGDBF batch as a CR, but I don’t really think I did anything. Something was playing in the back of my mind. New beginnings were seeded in 2 pots, both being equally important. On Saturday, I practiced along with Gauri, Vedika and Mansi. Some rascal had locked us for a while in classroom number 405. The girls were a little anxious but I was having fun in that moment.

The organizing team said there was going to be a stage practice of performances on Sunday. I came on Sunday only to find the stage was yet to be set. I returned home. The 3 girls Gauri, Vedika and Mansi practiced their dance all day long in the same classroom. I went there in the evening and the stage was still not complete. I had a practice session with the 3 girls again and we all left together.

It all started with the announcement of cultural fest. The B. Tech guys had taken over the entire responsibility of the fest since the beginning with 3 of our PGDBF girls, Sonali, Vaishnavi and Rutuja being in the organizing team as well. In the very beginning i.e. two weeks prior to the event, I had come up with a plan of dance-cum-act which did not work out. I focused on my singing performance instead. The events described above were from 6 days ago to the fest, to a day before the fest i.e. 12^th to 17^th March 2024. Many things changed in between.

The fest started on 18^th March in the afternoon. On the first day, the dress code was traditional. I performed a poem at the open mic session, which got a decent response from the audience. The 2^nd day was really a fun when the dress code was Bollywood. Me, Shiva and Mandar became random South Indian characters wearing lungis. Shiva did look like an authentic one. Rabina had become Geet from Jab We Met and she was just the right fit in her costume. 3 more girls who did a spectacular job in choosing a costume and looking like a character were Mansi, who became Meenamma from Chennai Express, Aishwarya who became the retro Sharmila Tagore character and Pournima who had become Sheila. PGDBF batch literally won the Bollywood Cosplay but nobody praised us, nevermind.

On the same day, there were fun games where I guessed the movie characters right and got a chance to feed Om and Rabina pieces of apple dipped in salt. Indeed a great memory when Rabina said “Maine kya bigada hai tumhara”. There was another Bollywood quiz won by our team including Me, Pournima, Aishwarya and Mandar.

Third and final day was the day of performances. For some reason those B. Tech guys put my performance first. I chose a good costume set. More than the song, I liked the way I controlled the crowd in the beginning and the way I urged them to enjoy every performance including mine. I did not sing as well as I thought I would, but the response was decent so it’s okay. These 4 girls, Mansi, Vedika, Gauri and Vaishnavi set the stage on fire with their performance. Aishwarya stirred everyone’s soul with her “Mere Dholana” while Rabina brought laughter riots in her act. Apart from ours, these two guys, Yugandhar Kulkarni and Vaishnavi Sonawane who performed Bansuri play with classical dance were outstanding. The solo dance followed by Rabina’s act was the best performance ever. One thing that was the most celebrated, was Shiva’s DSLR camera!

The performances were followed by DJ Night. Everyone danced like crazy. We all had dinner together and clicked photos.

I missed college life because of my curriculum back in my graduation days. I’m really thankful that I have these moments to cherish. Moments like one described in the beginning, being locked in the practice session, winning the Bollywood quiz and many more. These will become random memories to bring a smile 5 years down the line.

Warm Regards

Dnyanesh Make “The DPM”

The post DESPU Cultural Fest 2024 – An Imperfect Joyful Memory appeared first on Words Of DPM.

“Bhai iss speed se jayenge toh aadhe raste se baki log hamein wapis aate milenge!” Said Sairaj

“Poora toh aaj nahi hoga, jitna hoga utna toh karte hai na.” Said Dhananjay.

“Thoda abhi aur upar jayenge na toh elevation milega aur photos ache aayenge.” I added

“Prachi aaja, baith yahan..” said Sairaj when Prachi and Rinky were passing by.

“Prachi tu inke saath hai ya mere sath? Chal hum pura upar tak jane wale hai.” Said Rinky.

Our apparent group of 5 boys and 3 girls was having two opinions about climbing the mountain cliff of Rajgad Fort. We were the last amongst 80 other trip members. Rinky and Prachi were from the organization committee themselves. Halting at every 150 meters climbed, we had already finished our water bottles midway. Rinky and Prachi were still faster because they were the organization’s team members and they must not fail to reach the fort. The 5 boys – Dhananjay, Gajanan, Sairaj, Sanidhya, and Me were lagging behind. As the first two dialogues might conclude, we were doubting that would we even reach the fort? On reaching around 700 feet below the fort entrance, we boys found the girls Muskan, Rinky, and Prachi halting there. Rain started. We all kept our smartphones in Prachi’s waterproof bag and started going further. This last section was a very steep cliff. There was no going back now because nobody appeared coming towards us and climbing seemed easier than retreating. The very sincere-looking Muskan had so much luggage in her backpack that it was practically impossible to climb up with that. Despite that, she made it before the rest of us. That was indeed very inspiring. Muskan’s consistency, Rinky’s responsibility as a secretary, Dhananjay’s enthusiasm of going ahead, and my sheer wish to go to as high an altitude as I can, ended up we being on the fort eventually!

Flashback

On the right moment when WICASA Secretary Rinky Khithani posted about Rajgad Trek, I quickly filled up the form and paid the fee. I was lucky, the seats filled up in just a few hours after that.

With 2 Buses full of 90 students including WICASA committee members, the journey towards Rajgad was very enjoyable. 6 kilometers before the destination, the police officers stopped our buses. It took around 1 hour to get a grant for the journey ahead.

Initially, we weren’t just 8. Dashrath, Pooja, Avinash, Sagun went up so fast and literally disappeared. Dashrath and Sagun are indeed professionals when it comes to Trekking. Our turtle gang was left behind. Still, Abhiraj was with us for a considerable time and then he also geared up. The humidity and heat were making our gasps louder as we were walking further. We started taking many halts which had definitely cost our already limited time. But as described above, we made it to the fort.

The Fort

I have been living in Pune for a few years. The nature gift of Sahyadri ranges and the fortresses legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would never keep you away from visiting them. Rajgad happens to be the first Capital Fort of Shivaji Maharaj’s Empire. Located on a hilltop named Murumb Devacha Dongar, the fort is 4514 feet high above sea level. There is no rope-way to make it convenient or faster, steeper slopes with only railings for your support and no staircases; the trek is definitely very tough. It was my first time to visit Rajgad, the first trek this much high in the last 12 years!

Many amongst us explored the fort. Some guys even reached Suvela Machi, the peak of Fort. This view in the picture above has been captured at Suvela Machi by Sagun. The fort takes more than a day to visit fully. We were just roaming nearby the Padma Lake. Prachi, the one who said “Mujhe chakkar aane laga hai” while climbing, went ahead in full speed after we reached the gates. Prachi and Dhananjay saw much of the fort. I was happy noticing the lush green nature and enjoying the elevation from the Chor Darwaja only.

Amidst all of this, this thought hit me many times that how could Shivaji Maharaj even managed to rule over these mountains when they are so tough to climb. How was it possible for his soldiers to raid and attack these forts at night? Reading in books about Maharaj and his Mavale is a different thing. You can only get the knowledge of history through that. Climb these forts up and you’ll feel the history yourself. The echoing chant I recited loudly during our climb was indeed out of this realization.

Descending, Sugar Factory Visit and Return Journey

After around an hour and a half, we started descending the mountain. Now, this was the real challenge because the same 700 feet steep cliff was the first step of the return journey. Slowly and firmly putting every step, Me, Sairaj, Sanidhya, Gajanan and Prachi were going back. Dhananjay also joined us after a while.

Climbing up was exhausting yet enjoyable. Returning was a little painful as I started having a mild headache. All my group members except Gajanan and Muskan changed bus. Now the buses were heading for the Sugar Factory visit. Every one of us was too hungry. The arrangements for lunch were in the town where the factory was located. The lunch happened to be the dinner. Then we visited the sugar factory and returned to Pune at 12:30 in the midnight.

Team WICASA

Well, many criticised Team WICASA for mismanagement of this trip. Though they couldn’t predict the possible delay and further inconvenience, they did manage well. Some of the big issues in the trip were inevitable. Team WICASA deserves appreciation to get the grant from Police officers. Team WICASA was responsible enough to get their food only after all the trip members have it. All these WICASA Committee members are students undergoing articleship, just like us. Place us in their stead and imagine the pressure of responsibility. You truly did a fantastic job Pune WICASA. We had a memorable experience.

Moments to Remember!

Be there the actual chemistry between some guys and girls or a cooked-up chemistry just to tease some of them, this cute, gentle leg-pulling was what I enjoyed the most. The medley (or song ruining ceremony as I like to call it) during the journey, the shayaris that I recited was a legit fun. There was an adventure as well. Someone from my group had stolen the Bakarwadi packet from Rinky’s bag and kept it inside mine. She got to know about it while climbing and shouted at Dhananjay. I hope she had taken it in a sporting way! Avinash, Dashrath, Dhananjay, Sairaj, Pruthviraj, Sanidhya are already my friends for many years. The new ones I made in the are Gajanan, Rinky, Prachi, Abhiraj, Monika, Pravin and Muskan. In the return journey, the deep conversation about life I had with Gajanan was very relaxing.

The last time I had this much fun, I was in 10^th standard, on a school trip. I am so grateful that I had this trip. Thank you Pune WICASA for this memorable experience!

Warm Regards,

Dnyanesh Make “The DPM”

The post The Rajgad Trek appeared first on Words Of DPM.

जून 2014 मधील हा प्रसंग. अचानक “एक व्हिलन”, “सिटीलाईट्स”, “2 स्टेट्स” हे तेव्हाचे गाजलेले अलबम ऐकत असताना काही प्रसंग आठवले 2014 मधले. ते सर्व प्रसंग पुढीलप्रमाणे.

मोठे भावजी समोर आहेत आणि विषय डायरेक्ट तिचा काढला जातोय. कपाळावर टेन्शन ने आठ्या जमा झाल्या. एकतर निलिमा ला कळलंच कसं की ती माझी गर्लफ्रेंड आहे आणि दुसरं म्हणजे तिच्यासाठी गिफ्ट घेण्यासाठी इनसिस्ट करतेय? मी काही म्हणायच्या आत निलिमाने आकाशी रंगांच्या झुमक्यांची जोडीच दिली माझ्या हातात. “लातूरला गेल्यावर दे तिला. आणि फोनवर, SMS वर जरा कमी बोलत जा, बारावी चाललीये तुझी. तसंही ही पोरगी फार काळ राहणारी नाहीये.”

If only had I listened to her, पण ते म्हणतात ना, “प्रेमातुराणाम न भयम न लज्जा”, त्यात आणखी एक शब्द जोडला पाहिजे, ‘न ही विवेकम’! मी अर्थात तिला लातूरला गेल्यावर दयानंद कॉलेज च्या चार नंबर गेटवर ते झुमके दिले. तिच्याकडे बघून लक्षात यायला हवं होतं की प्रियकराच्या बहिणीने खास आपल्यासाठी काही भेटवस्तू दिली असेल तर त्याचा आनंद खूप जास्त व्हायला हवा होता जो तिच्या चेहऱ्यावर कुठेच दिसत नव्हता. ही बहुतेक मनातल्या मनात त्या झुमक्यांची अंदाजे किंमत तरी काढत असावी किंवा जाताना कुठे फेकून द्यायचे याची प्लॅनिंग करत असावी. असो, निलिमाचे शब्द दीड वर्षानंतर सिद्ध झाले.

तो नाशिक मधला तिसरा आणि शेवटचा दिवस होता. शाळेतल्या सहलींशिवाय कुठे जास्त फिरलेलो नव्हतो. शाळेच्या पहिल्याच सहलीत पाचवीला असताना 2008 मध्ये नाशिक पाहिलेलं. मात्र 2014 ची ती ट्रिप आजही खूप जास्त स्पेशल होती. मी, दोन्ही बहिणी आणि भावजी असे 4 जण गेलेलो. एक दिवस त्र्यंबकेश्वर, एक दिवस सोमेश्वर आणि एक दिवस नाशिक. भर जून महिन्यात, मोसमाच्या पहिल्या पावसाच्या हलक्या सरींमध्ये भिजलेलं नाशिक पाहिलं आणि आजवर मी त्या शहराच्या तितक्याच प्रेमात आहे.

नाशकात मिसळ मी पुण्याच्या अगोदर खाल्ली आणि म्हणूनच की काय, मला पुण्यातल्या कुठल्याच मिसळीचं फारसं कौतुक नाही. कढीभेळ आणि भेळभत्ता नावाचे प्रकार असतात हे मला नाशकात गेल्यावरच समजलेलं. फस्ट यिअर नंतर युनिव्हर्सिटी चेंज करताना पुण्याऐवजी नाशिकला जावं असा विचार आलेला आणि तेव्हा नाशिकची आणखी एक चक्कर पडलेली. तेव्हा कॉलेज रोड, पंचवटी वगैरे परिसर अगदी धुंडाळून काढल्यासारखे हिंडलेलो. एकंदर तीन वेळेला नाशिक पाहून झालंय आणि आजवर आठवणी ताज्या आहेत.

आल्यानंतर कॉलेज ची पोस्ट Vaccation वाली परीक्षा होती. विशेष अभ्यास नसतानाही परफॉर्मन्स चांगला राहिला. आठवणींच्या या खजिन्यात या काळात कॉलेज, सिपीटी बॅच, मनीषा मॅडम ची गणिताची ट्यूशन आणि जाधव सरांची अकौंटस ची ट्युशन अश्या पॅक शेड्युल मध्ये चाललेली माझी लव्ह स्टोरी. म्हणायला लव्ह स्टोरी पण as good as one sided. तिला माझ्याबद्दल कधीच काही वाटलं नव्हतं. बारावीच्या अभ्यासाचे तर तिने बहाणे सांगूच नयेत. मी फुल ऑन कमिटेड असताना, चालू वर्गात SMS वर चॅटिंग करत असताना आणि थिएटर ला एकामागे एक सिनेमे पाहण्यात मश्गुल असताना सुद्धा शेवटी तिच्यापेक्षा थोडेथोडके नाही तर 11 टक्के जास्त घेतले आणि मेरिट लिस्ट मध्ये आलेलो सुद्धा. मला 86% तर तिला 75%. उलट कमिटेड असती तर कदाचित दोघेही मेरिट लिस्ट मध्ये टॉप वर असतो.

त्या काळात एक मैत्रीण सुद्धा होती जिच्यासोबत मित्रांनी उगाच, म्हणजे अगदी विनाकारण माझी जोडी जमवलेली होती. ती मुलगी वर्गात इतर मुलांना फारशी बोलायची नाही म्हणून कदाचित पोरांना असला आगाऊपणा सुचत असावा. ती माझ्या आयुष्यातील अत्यन्त चांगल्या मैत्रिणींपैकी एक होती. आता कुठे आहे तिलाच माहीत. असंच होतं. काही नाती, काही मैत्री अगदी काही काळापूरत्या टिकतात आणि एक चांगली आठवण देऊन जातात. झम्पे, मिस यु बडी!

याच दरम्यान परभणीहुन “लातूरला दयानंद मध्येच ऍडमिशन घ्यायचं आणि कॉमर्सलाच घ्यायचं ज्ञानेश सारखं” असं म्हणत नेमकाच दहावी पास झालेला मावस भाऊ मंदार आला. माझे परभणी मध्ये नातेवाईक फार आणि मंदार काही लांबचा नव्हता मात्र लहानपणी इतका कधी संबंध म्हणावा तितका आला नव्हता. मंदार आयुष्यात आला, आज अक्षरशः आम्ही सख्या भावांप्रमाणे क्लोज आहोत. रिलेशन ओव्हर द पिरियड कसं डेव्हलप होतं याचं मूर्तिमंत उदाहरण आहोत मी आणि मंदार.

जून महिना गेला. जुलै महिन्यात मंदारचं देखील अकरावीचं कॉलेज सुरू झालं. पहिल्यांदा घराबाहेर राहत होता, पहिल्या आठवड्यानंतर दोन तीन दिवस सुटी काढून घरी गेला. 11 जुलै ला बहुप्रतिक्षित “लई भारी” रिलीज झाला. रितेशमुळे लातूरमध्ये काय हाईप असेल याचा तर अंदाजच लावावा. कॉलेज बुडवून, प्रोफेसर्सना तोंडावर खोटं बोलून 3 मित्रांसोबत मी थिएटर ला लई भारी बघायला गेलो. एकूणच 120 जणांच्या डिव्हिजन मध्ये अर्धे पोरं-पोरी एकाच दिवशी गायब होते हा खूप मोठा कन्सर्ण झाला आणि न विचारता absent राहणाऱ्यांच्या घरी फोन केले गेले. I made a narrow escape. मुळात अकरावी-बारावीला कॉलेज लाईफ नसतेच, ती दोन वर्गांची एकप्रकारे शाळाच असते.

तरीही इंटर्व्हल नंतर दुपारी 3-4 वाजताचे गणिताचे तास बुडवून क्रिकेट खेळायला जायचा प्रकार करायचेच आमचे पोरं. बरेच वेळेला मी, नंदू जैस्वाल आणि दादूस लोहार तिघे नंद्याच्या बेकरीवर बसायचो. बारावी म्हणावं तितकं वाईटही गेलं नाही आणि म्हणावं तितकं हॅप्पनिंगही नाही.

पुढेही बारीकसारीक घडामोडी घडतच गेल्या. ऑगस्ट मध्ये फ्रेंडशिप डे फार मोठा सेलिब्रेट झाला, सप्टेंबर मध्ये शिक्षकदिनाचं मी सूत्रसंचालन केलं, Verve 2014 मध्ये जाहिरातींच्या स्पर्धेत द्वितीय पारितोषिक पटकावलं. ऑक्टोबर मध्ये ‘यारों का यार’ असं स्वतःला समजणारा “वैभ्या” भेटला. ऑक्टोबरमध्येच वडिलांनी गाडी घेऊन दिली. नोव्हेम्बर मध्ये फारसं काही विशेष झालं नाही मात्र डिसेंम्बर मध्ये आयुष्यातला पहिला व एकमेव असा प्रसंग घडला जो व्हायला तर नको होता मात्र झालाच. असो, यात काही विशेष नसतं!

2014 मध्ये थिएटर ला मुव्हीज पाहणे हा माझा छंदच होऊन गेलेला. 2 स्टेट्स, रेगे, खूबसुरत वगैरे तर मी एकट्याने जाऊन पाहिले होते. माझं बारावीचं वर्ष असताना अथर्व, जो या साईटचा मूळ कर्ताधरता आहे, त्याचं दहावीचं वर्ष होतं. अत्यंत पुस्तकी किडा होता हा प्राणी, त्यालासुद्धा 15 ऑगस्ट च्या दिवशी बाहेर काढून सिंघम रिटर्न्स बघायला नेलेलं. 2014 मध्ये मी एकूण 13 चित्रपट थिएटर ला पाहिले होते.

घरच्यांचा ओरडा, शिक्षकांच्या तक्रारी, मित्रांसोबत मजामस्ती, अधूनमधून दगाफटका, गर्लफ्रेंडचं दुर्लक्ष, सातत्यहीन अभ्यास आणि तरीही दर परीक्षेत डिव्हिजन टॉप मारण्याचा आनंद, भावनांचे मोठमोठे हेलकावे आणि इगोचे पालनपोषण या सर्वांनी भरून गेलेलं 2014 चं वर्ष आयुष्यातील एका मोठ्या स्वप्नासारखं भासतं आता. आठवतं तर सगळंच, फक्त खरं वाटत नाही झालेलं काहीच…!

Warm Regards,

Dnyanesh Make “The DPM”

The post 2014 च्या डायरीमधून! appeared first on Words Of DPM.

So without a further ado, let’s get a flashback.

Waking up as early as 5:30-6:00 in the morning, the first job was to reach the English tution at Munde Sir’s. It was a small scale tution class only for English grammar and not the curricular syllabus. Thus used to be comprised of students from 6th and 7th standard as well. At such juvenile age, who would ever feel special to have many female friends? Damn……I was so innocent…! One of those senior girls approached me all of a sudden in Pune back in 2018, I could barely recognise her.

I used to cycle my way to tutions and school. The bicycle was a ladies one, BSA Ladybird. But still I was happy because most of my friends didn’t even have one. And make no mistake, that bicycle was no less than a sports bike for me. It was very fast and lightweight, I could perform various stunts while driving it. Later in 7th Standard, I got a legitimate SK Bikes Volcano Shock Up, getting my swag to next level.

After English tution, I used to go to Math’s tution in the nearby area. The Ma’am, Mrs. Meera Bhujbal, conducted the tuitions till my 10th. She was like a kind hearted mother. So caring and loving.

Then I used to get to home again at 9 in the morning when my father would leave for office already and Mother would be getting ready for the same, after cooking the food for all of us. Till 11’O clock, I would complete the school homework (always leaving incomplete). By the time my elder sister would return from college and I used to leave for school at 11:30. I was in the Assembly Guide Team, I remained the face of it for nearly 5 years right from the 5th standard, so never really stood in a queue. I feel very proud that it was my voice on mike for National Anthem, Pledge, Prayers and News for 5 years. Thus, I’d always read newspaper and write 4-6 headlines to read them out in assembly.

Generally first period used to be Marathi. I was the class monitor. Marathi subject teacher was our class teacher back then, who is the most lenient teacher I’ve ever witnessed. At teaching, he was around average. So homework for Marathi was never an issue to be panic.

The real panic though, was Mathematics. The teacher was very nice at teaching but very much strict at punishments. But he did make our mathematics wonderful. Mule sir, I miss your teachings.

Amongst the other subjects, the most enjoyable was English. The English teacher, Naiknaware Sir, is still one of the best teachers I ever had. Really, a person full of life and having immense knowledge of the subject while keeping best teaching style at the same time.

Science was taught by Deshmukh Sir. Such a gentleman personality, so kind for students and very professional in the classroom. He would barely punish us, but there was no need. Everybody would listen to him very carefully.

Hindi was taught by Mrs. Neharkar Ma’am, another motherly figure in my teachers. She was very caring and friendly, but a strict punisher when it came to homework and personal hygiene.

History and Civics were taught by Mrs. Ugale Ma’am, she was strict and respectful. She taught very nicely.

Geography was taught by Vice Principal Gapat Sir. He was the most hated and trolled teachers throughout our school time, but still a gentleman. He would always listen to our demands and try to fulfill them. Gapat Sir is the reason I stayed in the Assembly Guide Team for 5 years and remained the face of it.

PT Teacher was Mr. Dongare Sir. Sadly he’s no more now. He was the reason school achieved many state level trophies in Mallakhamb, Kho-Kho and 4*100 Relay-Race. Apparently I was very poor at sports, it is because of him I stayed as a leading Lezim player for 4 years.

Don’t be surprised, till I left the school, there were no computer studies. There wasn’t even a computer lab. It came right after our batch left the school. Music teacher wasn’t available till I entered 7th so there were no music studies in 6th as well. What we had was an active sports department and a full fledged chemistry lab.

PT periods used to be fun. Mostly off during rainy seasons but damn exciting during the month of January. Preparations of Republic Day would begin and I used to practice for Lezim. Apart from that we used to play Kabaddi and Cricket.

Apart from studies and a little bit sports, I participated in almost every elocution and debate competition arranged in our school. I’m not bragging but I was so obvious at all those speeches that I was nicknamed “Bolaki Bahuli” (Talkative Doll) by Marathi Teacher Jogdand Sir in the same educational year.

Two trips were organised by the school in the educational year 2008-09. The first one was before the mid term so it precisely falls in 2008 while the other one was organised in February 2009. The first trip was a trek. Around 40 KM from my town is a sanctuary called “Ramling” which also happens to be a pilgrimage. We trekked a hill called “Durga Devi Hill” over there. The second trip went to a lot places in West Maharashtra which I’ll explain in a special blog.

After the school, I used to get back home, have some milk or tea and would go to play cricket with my best friend Atharva. We even played a lot video games in that time, GTA being the favourite.

During festivals and holidays, I used to have a lot fun, roaming around in town and touring the different Ganesh Mandals and witnessing every special scene. In 2008 I remember one of the Ganesh Mandals in Kaij made this real life scene of a long elephant faced cave. Enter in that cave and bow to 12 Jyotirlingas placed around 12 corners as you walk by. The last one was Amarnath before which you had to cross this swinging bridge below which the artificial Ganges flew. I visited that scene everyday during Ganesh Festival.

One of the foremost hobbies I had in those days was singing. That’s what I used to do in my study hours. My father was always lenient about this. I used to take his Nokia 5200 phone and record my own songs, sometimes listen to the bollywood songs as well. This is where the flashback started right? Listening to the songs was something I did everyday on 9XM, Zoom, Sony Music etc. God…those were the days when we had to wait for our favourite songs, unlike today when we have YouTube, Gaana etc. Some of the most favourite songs from that times were the Ghajani Album, Ye Ishq Haaye, The Singh Is King Album, Delhi 6 Album etc.

I never properly sat and completed homework in the evening when I was supposed to study. It would always be an 11th hour job. I never properly studied at home, at least till 9th was over.

I don’t remember I ever stayed awake more than 2 hours after dinner in those days. I was living every moment, unlike now.

I topped the school in 6th Standard.

Well that’s all about my 2008.

Warm Regards

Dnyanesh Make “The DPM”

The post My Life in 2008 appeared first on Words Of DPM.

Maniac या इंग्रजी शब्दाचा अर्थ होतो वेडसर. उर्दू मध्ये अगदी चपखल शब्द आहे याला, तो म्हणजे दीवाना. रेहमानियाक म्हणजे थोडक्यात रेहमानचे दीवाने. हा संगीतातला चालता फिरता देव त्याच्या कामामुळेच इतका जास्त पुजला जातो. संगीतातले जाणकार त्याच्या संगीतातील एकेका बारकाव्याचे निरीक्षण करून सांगतात, एकेक बीट किती युनिक आहे याचं वर्णन करतात. निश्चित आणि निर्विवादपणे रेहमानच्या संगीत प्रतिभेला तोड नाही. उगाच नाही कोण ग्रॅमि आणि ऑस्कर आणतो.

मी शास्त्रीय गायनाच्या “प्रवेशिका पूर्ण” लेव्हल ला जाऊन संगीताची साथ सोडली. त्यामुळे स्वर लागतो की नाही, हरकत बसतेय की नाही, सप्तक कोणतं आहे इतकंच काय ते बेसिक कळतं. वाद्यसंगीत आणि त्यातही अनेक प्रकारचे वाद्य जेव्हा एक धून अलंकृत करत असतात तेव्हा त्यात नावीन्य किती आणि परफेक्शन किती हे मला नाहीच कळत, म्हणूनच मी सामान्य श्रोत्यासारखं संगीताची भावनेशी गाठ पडू देतो. मी रेहमानियाक असण्याचं तेच कारण आहे. विस्तृतपणे सांगतो.

पूर्वी मी या गोष्टीकडे लक्ष द्यायचो नाही की कोण गाण्याचा संगीत दिग्दर्शक आहे. पराकोटीचा रेहमान भक्त असणारा माझा मित्र वैभव जोशी याने मला जाणीव करून दिली की माझ्याच आवडीच्या अनेक गाण्यांचा संगीतकार रेहमान आहे.

जेव्हा आपण कुठलं गाणं ऐकत असतो, तेव्हा आपसूक ते आपण आपल्या अनुभवांशी जोडत असतो. जसं की मोटिव्हेशनल गाणी, रोमँटिक गाणी वगैरे. पार्टी सॉंग ऐकताच मन नाचू पाहतं. आता किती जणांना त्यांच्या आवडीच्या गाण्यांचे फक्त कराओके ऐकवले तर तसाच मूड होईल? म्हणजे बघा, कुमार विश्वास लिखित-रचित “कोई दीवाना कहता है” गीत साधारण संगीत असताना सुद्धा थेट काळजाला हात घालतं कारण ओळी तितक्या खोल आहेत. पण गीताचे बोल साधारण असतील तर ते तितकं आपल्याशी रिलेट होणार नाही unless that particular song is composed by A R Rahman.

जेव्हा जेव्हा “चुपके से” गाणं ऐकतो, ते संगीत ऐकताच असं फील होतं की मी कुठल्यातरी उंच डोंगरावर दगडी चिऱ्याच्या वाड्याच्या खिडकीत बसलोय आणि थंडगार वारं सुटलंय. अशा वेळी ज्या प्रकारे मनात भावनांचं काहूर उठेल ते आणि अगदी तसंच चुपके से आणि आओ ना गाणं ऐकताना होतं. रोजा मधील “ये हंसी वादियाँ” चं सुरुवातीचं म्युझिकच अगदी अंगावर शहारे आणतं. बरोबर आपण बर्फात आहोत याची फिलिंग येते. आता हे गीत असो किंवा “आओ ना” असो, गीताचे बोल अगदीच साधारण आहेत, पण गाणं काळजाला भिडतं संगीत. संगीताच्या माध्यमातून शब्दांच्या मर्यादा पार करून रेहमान श्रोत्यांशी बोलतो. त्याच्या कल्पना तो संगीतातून मांडतो आणि श्रोत्यांना त्या बरोबर जाणवतात.

“रंग दे बसंती” गाण्याची सुरुवातीची पंजाबी ट्यून असो किंवा “साड्डा हक” मधील रॉक गिटार असो, अगदी सिग्नेचर ट्यून आहेत. छोट्याश्या पंधरा वीस सेकंदाच्या एका बीट मध्ये पूर्ण गाण्याची चाल सामावून जाते. पुन्हा पुन्हा कितीही वेळा ऐकलं तरीही मन भरत नाही. Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility ला संगीत अपवाद आहे, आणि जरी नसेल, तरी रेहमान चं संगीत नक्कीच आहे.

“कुन फाया कुन” ऐकून गाणं अप्रतिम वाटत नसेल त्या माणसाने जीव द्यावा. त्यातली “रंगरेजा रंग..”, “सजरा सवेरा मेरा तन बरसे”, “सल्लल्लाहु अलैहि वसल्लम” या ठिकाणी असणाऱ्या बिट्स इतक्या प्रभावी आहेत की अर्थही माहीत नसताना मी ते गुणगुणत होतो. गरज काय अर्थ जाणून घेण्याची, संगीत थेट भिडत असतं.

जागतिक दर्जाचे संगीतकार पाहता अगदी एल्विस प्रिसले पासून ते आताच्या रॅमिन जावेडी पर्यंत सर्वांचं संगीत याच तोडीचं आहे. म्हणजेच दुसरी बाजू ही की रेहमान जागतिक तोडीचा संगीतकार आहे.

एकंदरच सर्व प्रकारच्या वाद्यांवर प्रभावीपणे संगीत बनवणे, सर्व प्रकारच्या लोकसंगीतात सहजगत्या संगीत दिग्दर्शन करणे, अनेक प्रकारच्या गाण्यांना गहिऱ्या चाली लावणे हा रेहमान चा तांत्रिक हातखंडा. मात्र तरीही प्रत्येक वेळी संगीतात भावना जिवंत ठेवल्याने ते संगीत भिडतं. रेहमानची अनेक गाणी अशी आहेत ऐकताना बेभान होऊन माणूस स्वतःला विसरून जातो. स्वतःला विसरून आपण ते संगीत ऐकतो म्हणजेच अध्यात्मिक भाषेत तितक्या वेळेपुरता आपल्याला मोक्ष मिळालेला असतो, किंवा आपण मेडिटेट करत असतो. ज्या माणसाच्या मेंदूतून इतकं प्रतिभाशाली संगीत निघत असेल, तो निश्चित देवदूत म्हणजे “अल्लाह रखा” असायलाच हवा..!

Warm Regards

Dnyanesh Make the DPM

The post Rahmaniac appeared first on Words Of DPM.

तीन वर्षांपूर्वी याच वेळी कार्यालयातून थकून भागून घरी येऊन घरच्या पाहुण्यांच्या चहापाणाची व्यवस्था पाहत होतो. लग्न मात्र अगदी साग्रसंगीत झालं. म्हणजे कसं… ते “साग्रसंगीत” म्हणवताना व्याही मंडळींकडून “थोडासा” त्रास झाला तरी लग्न व्यवस्थित झालं…मग छान…!

2015 चं अर्धं वर्षच मुळी लग्नाच्या तयारीत गेलं. निलिमा ताईचं लग्न म्हणजे एक जिवंत आठवण आहे. देवब्राम्हणापासून ते अगदी कार्यालयात सामान पोचवे पर्यंत सगळी कामं…त्यातही नवरीचा भाऊ म्हणजे सर्वांच्या आकर्षणाचं केंद्र(अर्थात कामं सांगण्यासाठी)…! थोडक्यात जरा शाब्दिक सफर करूया 29 डिसेंबर 2015 ची…

26 डिसेंम्बर 2015 रोजी देवब्राम्हण. हळद लावण्यापासून ते चुडा भरणे व मुहूर्त पूजेपर्यंत अगदी उल्हासात. मामेभावंडं कधी माझ्या घरी येतात तर हाच तो मजेचा काळ. मला आठवतं… हल्दीस्नानाच्या वेळी माझा मुद्दाम हट्ट की हळदीची गाणी लावायची. त्यासाठी होम थिएटर विकत आणण्याची वेगळी करामत आणि दुसऱ्या दिवशी अंगणात सगळ्यांनी त्याच होम थिएटर वर “शांताबाई” (झिंगाट नव्हतं ना तेव्हा) लावून फेर धरून नाचण्याची आणखी गंमत…! हे सगळं आजी – आजोबा पाहत होते…आणि दुसऱ्या नातीचं लग्न पाहतोय याचं समाधान त्यांच्या चेहऱ्यावर दिसत होतं.

लग्नात घालण्याच्या पेहरावासाठी मी जरा जास्तच खर्ची घातलं. म्हणजे लग्न निलिमाचं आहे की माझं हेच कळायला जागा नाही…

सीमंतीपूजनाच्या रात्री फारसे सुखद अनुभव आले नाहीत. सरबराई करणं काय असतं ते मला त्या दिवशी कळलं. इथून पुढे कुणाची सरबराई करणार तर नाहीच….स्वतःच लग्न (कधी केलंच तर) कोर्ट मॅरेज करेन हे नक्की…!!

वरातीत फारसा नाचण्याचा माहोल नसला तरी उत्साह भरपुर होता. आवर्जून मंगलाष्टक म्हणून मला माझ्या अल्पशा संगीत शिक्षणाचा अल्पसा परिचय देणं स्वाभाविक…

लग्नात सर्वाधिक आकर्षण होतं ते रुखवताचं. रुखवतावर नवरीच्या सासरच्यांसाठी संदेश होता. तो आज ते पाळत असतीलच अशी माझी आशा आहे.

बिदाई मध्ये रुकु ताईच्या लग्नात काही रडू आलं नाही. पण निलिमा स्वतःहून बिलगून अश्रू ढाळत असताना माझ्या डोळ्यात पाणी आलं…पुन्हा त्याचे प्रवाह वाहू लागले…!

असो…आज तीन वर्षे झाली. याचं फलित म्हणून “मामा” चा जप न सोडणारी भाची पण मिळाली. आता या लग्नाचं फलित सुखी आयुष्याच्या रूपाने निलिमा व निखीलराव दोघांनाही मिळो ही सदिच्छा….!!

Warm Regards,

Dnyanesh Make “The DPM”

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