Behind the doors of shahjahan..

Chowringhee...


Recently,I got a chance to read a beautiful novel Chowringhee, courtesy my nice colleague Rajiv who has a part in keeping my reading habits alive by providing me with his new, crsip novels.
The novel was based on the 'not so bright as it seems' life in one of the best hotels of calcutta,Shahjahan.The novel shows the dark side of High society and the darkness behind the courteous exchanges as seen by an advocate, who is offered a receptionist job in shahjahan due to job crunch. The author,Shankar Sinha has beautifully shaped the eventful history and darkness behind the glitz and pomp of the lively hotel, shahjahan, standing erect since ages.The novel had a multitude of characters , all gripped by fate to be living an unchosen life with smile on their faces.
It was heartening to read about the hostess Karabi Guha, Sohrabi, at the bar,the Bar dancer Connie and his poor brother Lambredta , the Singer, i dont remember the name. :) And last but not the least,the account of Bose da, my favourite character , a serene, pure at heart, mature and affectionate person, and Sujata, the charming air hostess, was very heartening and literally made me cry..

The manager has been portrayed as a shrewd, heartless fellow who ran the hotel well, his demenaour being a talk of the town among the hotel workers.But, his tormenting past, lovelost as he was, he gets a chance to bind the remaining tattered pieces of his life...

There has been a detailed account of the furtive visits of a very big socialite, in the wee hours, who at all times manages to keep her indecent endeavours at a hush from his businessman husband, who trusts her blindly.
Chowringhee has truly opened new visions to what lies beneath glitz and celebration at suites and hotels. And next time i visit some hotel , i am surely gonna stare and make what is there to the people attending to the guests.

Aj din chadeya tere rang warga....
By Rahat Fateh ali Khan

"Baksha gunaho ko
Sun ke duwao ko,
Rabba Pyaar hai,
Tune sab ko hi de diya...........

Meri bhi aahon ko
Sun le duwao ko
Mujhko woh dila
mene jisko hai dil diya....

Manga jo mera hai
Jata kya tera hai
Mene kaun si tujhse jannat manga li
Kaisa khuda hai tu
Bas naam ka hai tu
Rabba jo teri
itni si bhi na chali....

Chahiye Jo mujhe
Kar de tu mujhko ata

Jeeti rahi saltanat teri
Jeeti rahe ashiqui meri

Dede mujhe zindagi meri
Tenu dil da vasta....."

The mesmerising lyrics insitill me with a beautiful feeling of achievement -to be hearing such beautiful words.Hats off to the lyricist who has done a superb job.The song is a innocent prayer by a true lover to god/Rab asking for him to write his destiny , with the girl being a part of his life..He very beautiful and innocently like a 1 yr old kid asking for his favourite toy,expresses his lifelong wish to get the girl he loves the most.He sweetly complains to god that as he forbids everybody, giving them love in life, similarly, he should be listening to his constant prayers and his sincere wait should be over now...
Rabba mere naam kar use, tenu dil da vasta....
How beautiful , isnt it??

The following lines of song symbolise his dogged determination and true love and the beauty lies in the harmless complaint that he puts forth before god :


Manga jo mera hai
Jata kya tera hai
Mene kaun si
tujhse jannat manga li..

People ask god for selfish and worldly desires, dreams ,ambitions to be fulfilled..and here is this poor sweet guy who falls in love, yet believes god to show him way at every sep he takes.

He has strong belief in god, yet tries to push Rab to bless him wih love soon, by challenging :

Kaisa khuda hai tu
Bas naam ka hai tu
Rabba jo teri itni si bhi na chali.................
Then his heart pours out his true feelings...he wishes that his supreme power may rein the world endlessly, and his love may bloom for ages..

It feels great to hear such a refreshing and true to heart melody of true love, mixed with a childlike innocence....
Hats off to indian Music...:-)