Early in the morning my phone rings, mom calling! A delighted voice from the other end says, “What are you up to, my li’l one”? “No.nothing. sleeping”, I manage to utter. She doesn’t get the hint, or conveniently ignores it. And starts narrating to me all the stories she thinks I should know about – for example, what she read in the newspaper that must be of particular interest to me, what her colleague told her during lunch, what movies she is interested in, who she spoke to long-distance in the entire week and what it was about, or even what the cook cooked for dinner…and then a string of questions – “Do you drink milk everyday? Did you say your prayers? How are the guys? Ummmm….Are you good?…”. Yes, no, yes, no… I answer thus. When I finally hang up, I am quite relieved and very awake. Phew!
Today is not my birthday. Nor is it my mother’s birthday. No, it is not even mother’s day. This is just an ‘out of the blue’ expression of love – a celebration in lieu of her charming ways and deepest cares.
A dedication to her is most overdue -
But a thought is still unprocessed,
And many words are left unsaid.
So a hug, a kiss, a wink, a peck
Are on their way,
To the fragrant angel I call “Maa”.
For the woman whose “baby” I am, and who will never cease to call me that - Here are a few songs that remind me of my mother and which I now dedicate to her.
“**Aap par arz hai**” – This song is sung by **Lucky Ali** and features in the album “Sunoh”. The lyrics are beautiful and the words used are so apt for a woman you really admire – it could be a lover or a mother. The song opens with the singer humming, and the music is soothing to the ears. The words are full of respect(millions of salutes) and tender emotions.
Aap par arz hai…Laakhon, karodon, arbon salaam
Aap na hote to yeh dil…Jaane kisko deta dua
Aap ki inayatein, aap ki hidayatein
Aap ki yeh bande nawazi, aap ka who sharmila pan…
“**Tumko dekha to yeh khayaal aaya**” – **Jagjit Singh
*When I’m tired and have had a long day …I think of her warm smile and pleasant disposition. I am reminded of all those hot summer days when I’d get back from school, and there would be a jug full of lemonade in the fridge with a note outside. When I am weary and lost, I think of the wonders her comforting words can do. Not the entire song, but just the first two lines scream to me.”that’s her – your mother!”
Tumko dekha to yeh khayaal aaya
Zindagi dhoop, tum Ghana saaya.
“**Mother**” – **Pink Floyd
*She gets on my nerves – almost every day. I want to break free and tell her to mind her own business. I sound rude, but I shrug and say, “I don’t care”, because mothers can be over-protective and over-sensitive. The rebellious me sings to her a Floyd song, and I know all she’ll do is laugh!
Mother, do you think they’ll drop the bomb?
Mother, do you think they’ll like this song?
Mother, do you think they’ll try to break my balls?
Mother, should I build the wall?
Mother, should I run for President?
Mother, should I trust the government?
Mother, will they put me in the firing line?
Is it just a waste of time?
Hush now baby, baby, don’t you cry
Momma’s gonna make all of your nightmares come true
Momma’s gonna put all of her fears into you
Momma’s gonna keep you right here under her wing
She won’t let you fly, but she might let you sing
Momma’s will keep Baby cozy and warm.
“**Mitti da bawa**” – Punjabi folk song sung by **Jagjit Singh**.
This is a very sad, touching song about a woman who is unable to conceive a baby. The deep emotions that plunge her into a state of utter despair are heart wrenching. She makes a clay doll and speaks to it, calling it her baby. She urges it to reply back, and to talk to her. Jagjit Singh is outstanding here.
For those who understand Punjabi:
Boli bol mitti deya bawaia
O boli bol mitti diya bawia
tere dukhaan kleja kha liya
ve hun ghar nu aajaaa.
Boli bol.
O mitt da mai bawa banaya
O mitt da mai bawa banaya
O te ja ditti khaise
Bassdi dunia nazrien aawe
O jaa riha pardesin
Menu siney naal la jaa
"**Jiyo mere lal**" – **Kishore Kumar
*This is a lively, playful song about a mother and son. The innocent prattle of a toddler and the replies of his doting mother are very endearing. Kishore sings in the voice of both, the mother and the child. The lyrics are simple and sweet, innocent and playful.
Munna bada pyaara, ammi ka dulara
Koi kahe chaand, koi aankh ka taara…
Jiyo mere lal, tumko lage meri umar
Jiyo mere lal.
“**Lukka Chhupi**” – **Lata Mangeshkar, A.R. Rehman**(Rang De Basanti)
A mother showers her child with immense, deep love. She awaits her child’s return, she longs to see his face, she compares her child’s face to the moon, she even beseeches him to stop playing hide and seek. This song is overflowing with emotion. And Lata Mangeshkar’s talent is beyond expression. Excellent composition by Rehman, an absolute hit!(Since the song is fresh and famous, I’m sure the lyrics are well known too…I’ll skip them).
-"Li’l One".