I was sitting in a vast, plush auditorium in Paris looking anxiously at the clock ticking away. As the seconds ticked by, my heartbeat increased too and my head was spinning. This was the first time I had to make a scientific presentation in an international conference among the most eminent, legendary and famous scientists in the field of Structural Biology.
Just ten more minutes to go.
The professor who was speaking just now had just missed the Nobel Prize last year. And here I was, totally young and inexperienced. Fear of the unknown. What if I fumble? What if I goof up? What if there is a basic flaw in my work that I have not noticed and will be brought forth here, now in front of the who?s who of the community of protein crystallographers.
Suddenly I heard it.
Shankar Mahadevan?s voice! I look around wildly. Where?s that coming from? Then I realized that it was coming from my memory. I concentrated on the slipping words. Shankar sang to me about my dream and that I have to realize it. I have to be brave, ready to face all obstacles and reach my goal. I have to have confidence and believe in my strengths and give it my best shot.
As I heard my name being called out, I stood up and walked to the podium at the beat of this song. I spoke confidently, my slides showing fantastic graphics, as Shankar cheered me on. When I finished, I looked dazed as the spell bound audience applauded. I made my way back, amidst ovation, sat down, closed my eyes and thanked Shankar Mahadevan with all my heart.
1. Lakshya(Lakshya)
Haan yehi rasta hai tera, tune ab jaana hai hai
Haan yehi sapna hai tera, tune pehchaana hai
Roke tujhko aandhiyan, ya zameen aur aasman,
Paayega jo lakshya hai tera
Lakshya to har haal mein paana hai
This is your way in life, this is your dream and your challenge, which you have finally recognised. Even if the storms, this earth or the skies above conspire to come in your way, you have to go and achieve your GOAL.
Yes, this is the song that helped me through my presentation. It?s beautiful, touching, inspiring and very close to my heart. Lakshya was released on my birthday(18 June) and I always feel that this movie was made for me as I identified with the wastrel Hrithik Roshan who overcomes his attitudes and achieves as a winner in the end.
2.Mitwa(Lagaan)
Aaja re aaja re,
Mitwa, o mitwa, tujhko kya dar hai re,
Ye dharti apni hai, apna ambar hai re
My friend, I am calling you. Come with me and let?s walk on this difficult path of life. What are you fearing? This earth belongs to us and the skies belong to us. We will conquer all.
I remember giving the cassette of?Lagaan? to my sister when she was in a very low phase of life. I told her to listen to this song as it is straight from my heart to hers. Many years hence, she is much happier and we often remember that day when we sat and listened to this song together. It?s comforting, warm and encouraging.
3. Allah ke bande hans de(Waisa bhi hota hai)
Toota toota ek parinda aise toota ki phir jud na paaya
Loota loota kis ne usko aise loota ki phir ud na paaya
Allah ke bande hans de,
Jo bhi ho kal phir aayega
Man of God, smile. Even if you are broken. Even if your dreams are shattered. Because tomorrow will come. And with a new day, new dreams will emerge.
A sincere song which will comfort anyone who has failed in any endeavor. Failure should not break your spirit. It should just make you more determined. If one door closes, another door opens. As long as there is life, there is hope and always a chance that you will achieve your dream somehow.
4. Kandhon se kandhe(Lakshya)
Kandhon se kandhe milte hain
Kadmonon me kadam milte hain
Hum chalte hai jab aise
To dushman ke dil hilte hain
Our feet move in a rhythm and our shoulder move in one beat as we march on. When we walk like this, the hearts of our enemies shake in fear.
I remember once me along with a few scientists decided to sing this song at a departmental function to depict our team spirit, determination and enthusiasm. In our case, ?dushman? meant the rival scientific groups in our country and the world. It?s a peppy and an upbeat number which was sung by a group of soldiers in?Lakshya? en route to their mission. I love this line?Ab jo bhi ho, shola banke patthar hai pighlana?(Now whatever may happen, we have to be like the fire that melts mountains)
5. Nanhe munne bachche(Boot Polish)
Nanhe munne bachche teri mutthi mein kya hai
Mutthi mein hai taqdeer hamari
Humne kismat to bas mein kiya hai
Little child, what have you hidden in your closed fist? Our destinies are hidden in our closed fists. We are the masters of our own fate.
I guess I will remain a nanha munna bachcha all my life. This song is very old but the message is timeless. Sung as a dialogue between an older man and a child, it is a classic song with a classic theme. You are the captain of your soul and the master of your fate. Face the struggles of your life with your head held high and do not despair. As the song goes?Badlega zamaana, ye sitaaron mein likha hai?.This world will change. It is written on the stars.
In the end, my favourite quote:
’No dreamer is ever too small
No dream is ever too big.’.