Thinking Task
This blog is created as part of our reflective activity on the renowned American poet and lyricist, namely Robert Frost and Bob Dylan. Both have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Notably, Bob Dylan holds the distinction of being the first person in history to receive the Nobel Prize for his contributions to lyrics writing.
My Favorite Lyricist
I usually listen to Punjabi songs, but when it comes to Hindi songs from Bollywood films, I really admire the work of Javed Akhtar. He is an Indian actor, screenwriter, poet, and lyricist. Javed Akhtar is a well-known personality in the Indian film industry, famous for crafting meaningful and heartfelt lyrics for many Bollywood movies. Akhtar is regarded as one of the prominent Indian lyricists, standing alongside legends like Gulzar and Anand Bakshi.
Akhtar has penned some of the finest love songs in Hindi cinema, and what stands out in his love songs is their timeless quality and melodious tunes. Examples include "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha," "Aankhon Mein Teri," "Kal Ho Naa Ho," "Dekha Ek Khwab," and one of my personal favorites, "Mitwa" and "Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon." These songs carry emotional depth and connect directly to the heart. Whenever I'm feeling bored or have some free time, I listen to these songs, and they never fail to uplift my mood.
About His Poetry
Javed Akhtar, a respected social commentator and activist, is well-regarded for his secular, liberal, and progressive values. He has written numerous poems addressing issues like communalism, social injustice, national integration, and advocating for women's rights.
His first poetry collection, "Tarkash," is currently in its 11th edition in Hindi and 7th in Urdu. This collection has been translated into English, French, and various Indian regional languages. A recent survey by a publisher's organization revealed that it is the most widely sold book of verses in India over the last 60 years. Additionally, his books "Talking Films" and "Talking Songs" are considered some of the most comprehensive works on Indian cinema.
Blowin' in the Winds
Yes, and how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
And how many ears must a man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes. and how many deaths will it takes 'til he know
That too many people have died
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind
These lines are from the concluding part of the song "Blowin' in the Wind," which generally explores the philosophy of life. The song suggests that individuals encounter various hardships and challenges, prompting them to seek meaning and answers related to their lives, answers that, in a way, are philosophical. According to Bob Dylan, all the answers about life are metaphorically "blowin' in the wind."
The lines describe how people, caught up in their daily tasks, often overlook the little joys and happiness that life and nature offer. In our hectic lives, it's important to take a moment to appreciate these simple pleasures. Some individuals, however, remain indifferent to the pain and suffering of others, either due to ignorance, apathy, or a lack of understanding.
The subsequent lines depict the horrors and turmoil of war, highlighting the loss of humanity during such periods. The significant loss of lives is emphasized. These answers are often philosophical and abstract, making them challenging for the average person to comprehend. Consequently, the song suggests that these answers are elusive, symbolically "blowin' in the wind," and humans spend their lives in pursuit of these profound truths.
Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening
These woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And, miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep.
These famous lines are from Robert Frost's poem, Stopping by Woods On a Snowy Evening. This poem is about philosophy of life, from the traveler's perspective, who stops to watch snow fall in the forest. Traveler reflects about nature and philosophy of life.
The mentioned lines are from the concluding part of the poem. This segment holds various contextual meanings. As human beings, we are mere travelers in our life journey. We must live for a certain timespan, and during our journey, we encounter many captivating aspects of life. Similar to how a traveler moves on from a captivating snowy evening in the forest, we too must move on from certain things in life.
We can not waste our time lamenting over something that is temporary because we have to move on with our journey of life, because we have miles to go before we die.
Character and Lyrics
As part of a classroom activity, we dressed up as Bollywood characters and explained the reason for our chosen costumes using songs from the relevant movies. Exploring units like these in the syllabus is really exciting. We also discovered connections between the songs of Bob Dylan and some Bollywood songs, noticing how they share similar themes and life philosophies.
Me and my classmate dressed up as Munnabhai and Circuit from the movie Munnabhai M.B.B.S.
.jpg)
