Hello Hello by MIDIval PunditZ

Midival PunditzSan Fransisco based record label Six Degrees Records has released Hello Hello, the latest album by MIDIval PunditZ an Electronic Indian duo. The lead track from the album is available to download for FREE from the Six Degrees website. They say Hello Hello is the duo’s most adventurous and mature release to date and one that promises to excite old fans while attracting new listeners.

Midival PunditZ is the work of producers Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj, two veterans of India’s thriving club scene who felt that Western dance music didn’t connect with them on the same emotional level as India’s own classical and folk music. In 1997, after several years of work setting up their own studio in New Delhi, the two producers launched the PunditZ. Gigs with Tabla Beat Science, the Indo-electronica act founded by producer Bill Laswell and tabla master Zakir Hussain, put the duo on the map. On their newest release, Hello Hello, the PunditZ marry Indian raga, Bollywood pop, and regional folk dance rhythms to several decades of Western dance music, with echoes of everything from Bhangra to rock music to Daft Punk.

(Thanks to Tim of Six Degrees Records for the info)

Happy Vishu (and a song)

vishu-kani-1

Vishu reminds me of three things – kaNi konna, vishukkaTTa and my Mother’s birthday. 🙂 During the months of March and April, you would see the golden flowers of kaNi konna everywhere in Kerala and just the sight of the bloomed konna is a treat to eyes. Vishukkatta is the traditional Vishu special delicacy of Kerala homes. I remember that there was Mohan chettan and his younger brother Unni chettan who were friends of my elder brothers. They used to bring Vishukkatta on Vishu days in my early childhood and it was so yummy! I don’t know how many homes still prepare Vishukkatta these days. And today is my Mother’s birthday. She has just turned 73.

Here is wishing all Malayalee readers/listeners of this blog a wonderful Vishu day (with lots of Kaineettam 🙂 ) and all prosperity throughout the year.

And here is a song which I have sung with Rashmi Nair.

Film: Panthayakozhy
Lyricist: Sarath Vayalar
Music: Alex paul
Covered by: Joseph Thomas, Rashmi Nair

Download MP3 of “Sundariye Chempaka Malare” (my version)


Sundariye Chempaka Malare (with Rashmi) | Upload Music

Happy Easter and a song

“Yahovayaam Daivamen” is my most favorite devotional song of all times. In my Church choir days, I used to pick this song to sing for Holy Communion. I love this song, for it talks about a loving and supportive God instead of a punishing and destructive one that the Old Testament usually talks about. This song is a Malayalam translation of Psalm 23 and it is written and composed by A J Joseph for the album Sneha Pratheekam and sung by Yesudas. The lyrics of the song also instills Hope in life, like Easter, which is why I picked this song for the day. Easter gives us hope, that there is light at end of darkness and there is rising after you have fallen.

Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free. – Shawshank Redemption

Here is wishing all the readers and listeners of this blog, the Hope and blessings of this Easter.

Album: Sneha Pratheekam
Lyrics, Music: A J Joseph
Original singer: Yesudas
Covered by: Joseph Thomas (Jo)

Download MP3 of “Yahovayaam Daivamen” (my version)


Easter Song | Upload Music

Kanivin Kadale (Devotional)

Many years back, I had an opportunity to sing in a Ganamela where only the old Malayalam drama songs were sung. It was conducted in Regional Theatre, in Thrissur as part of the annual function of bank officers’ association. Some of the best singers in Thrissur were part of the team, including playback singer Viswanath.

I was asked to learn 2-3 songs and this song, Kanivin Kadale Kanyaa Kumaaraa, was my only solo. I clearly remember that evening, being nervous on stage as I always am. After so many years, I still remember the lyrics and gave it a shot in the evening. I do not know much details of the song, except that it is a Drama song and it is sung by Yesudas.

Wishing you all, a blessed Holy weekend.

Download MP3 of “Kanivin Kadale” (my version)


Kanivin Kadale (Devotional) | Upload Music

An American Malayalam Professor

Check out this interview (courtesy: Asianet) with Prof. Rodney F Moag, who has been teaching at the University of Texas, Austin. See how he speaks Malayalam with ease, considering that he is a foreigner. Check out his profile at Kerala Tourism website. He is also a country music performer. See his music profile at his music website.

(Thanks to Uma for the link)

Freelancing – A tip

Freelancing Tips and TricksWhen the recession hits you badly, outsourcing/freelancing is one way to rescue yourself. Recession can hit freelancing too, but there is no better time for small-scale freelancing as there are more projects being outsourced to India during this time. Even though there are projects being pumped this way, the pay has become too low because of the cheap bidding by service providers. This low-standard way of bidding has made it almost impossible for quality service providers to survive in the business.

The websites like Scriptlance or Elance offer projects on a bidding basis. It is not an easy task to learn the effective bidding tips and tricks, but once you get hold of it, it is a good way to make money. But never leave the place after you build a good reputation and earn some good feedback, even if you get jobs/clients outside these websites which would need your full time attention. Say for example, you get a client who pays you some good money but needs you during your whole available time. It is very likely that you will accept the offer and stop working at the websites from where you used to get freelance projects. But after a certain period of time, your contract with your private client ends and you have to get back to the freelancing websites. The time line of your absence of activity in the website could be long. Say, two or three years. During this time, there could be new service providers in these websites who have more feedback than you. You comes back, only to realize that you have been pushed to the backseat.

Worse, when you bid on new projects, the clients would suspect that you have either been disputed at the website, or you are not capable as much that you did not receive any projects during this time frame. You may try explaining to them, but most of them are not going to believe it until someone else awards you a latest project. So it becomes a nightmare for your freelance ambitions.

So what I would suggest for those online service providers is that you should not stop continuing your business activity in freelance websites even after you get a good private client. You should keep working out there so that it will help you during the troubled times. i.e. when you suddenly run out of clients. I learned it the hard way. 🙂

(Image source: Internet)

Trivandrum Poll Prediction by an Auto Driver

Today I asked an auto rickshaw driver in Trivandrum about his thoughts on the results of upcoming elections in Trivandrum constituency. It is really amazing to see the common man’s political awareness. This man (who must be in his mid 40s) predicted that Neelalohita Das will win from Trivandrum. He said everyone he talked to also said the same thing. He gave me the following reasons.

Neelan belongs to the Nadar community which is very strong in the rural areas of Trivandrum. Nadars were not given seats by both LDF and UDF. So regardless of their political affinity, this time they will make sure that a Nadar wins and that is going to benefit Neelan.

[ My thought: Seems right. This time Neelalohita Das is contesting from a BSP ticket, so some Dalit votes would also go in favor of him. ]

Trivandrum seat belongs to CPI. CPM has in-house issues with CPI in LDF. This internal split will show up in the voting. So there is a possibility that CPM voters might also vote for Neelan.

[ My thought: It is possible. CPM will not vote for Congress or BJP anyway, but they would need CPI to fail because of the internal conflicts. So the only possible candidate that they can vote for is Neelan as he is now in a different party. Not only that, this will also secure their interests in the national politics as it will ultimately benefit the Third Front where BSP and CPM are allies. ]

BJP will have their votes anyway. Their vote bank won’t split. But they will only come to a fourth position (after BSP, Congress and CPI).

[ My thought: Seems true ]

Shashi Tharoor will come to a close second. He has a great impression on educated people. So the youngsters and the educated urban class would vote for him.

[ My thought: I agree ]

Then I asked him if it matters to him that Mr. Tharoor does not have the local political experience and came all in a sudden from abroad. He answered:

It doesn’t matter whether he is from here or he is aware of the local politics. What have those local politicians done to solve any of the local issues? Nothing much. He is also educated and have international experience which would benefit us if he gets in to the ministry in the center.

[ My thought: I agree with this too ]

The kind of analytics that this person has presented really surprised me. Not only that, he actually spent time to talk to me during this busy evening, which shows how interested he is in the politics. And he did not take any sides too.

Introducing Karthik Raju

karthik

I have known Karthik Raju for some time now. We have had very interesting chat sessions  about music and singing and I enjoyed all those chat sessions. Even though we have never met in real life, music has been the factor that united us. Ever since I have met him online and chatted with him about music, I asked him to create a music blog. Finally he has come around and started a music blog. He has a Salil Chowdhary-Yesudas song as his first song. Check it out and let him know your valuable comments.