Sunday, June 19, 2016

D. Bones & Clocks

How many of you remember the cartoon called “SWAT Kats”?

Doesn’t matter… This post is NOT about cartoons featuring cats. This post isn’t about the book by David Mitchell either. The novelist not the comedian, who is also a great read / listen / watch.

This post is about photos of the book cover taken with my Panasonic GX7 under various circumstances. Let’s go through them one by one:

Manual Mode

Manual: f/5.2, 1/100s, ISO200, AWB with Flash (Vivid Colour Style)

iAuto Mode

iAuto: f/4.0, 1/20s, ISO3200, AWB with No Flash (Standard)

The following photos showcase some of the built-in Art Filters I find interesting.

Art Filter: Expressive

Expressive: f/4.0, 1/15s, ISO3200, AWB with No Flash

Art Filter: Dynamic Monochrome

D.Monochrome: f/4.0, 1/20s, ISO3200, AWB with No Flash

Art Filter: Impressive Art

Impressive Art: f/4.0, 1/25s, ISO3200, AWB with No Flash

Art Filter: Toy Pop

Toy Pop: f/4.0, 1/13s, ISO3200, AWB with No Flash

Art Filter: One Color

One Color: f/4.0, 1/20s, ISO3200, AWB with No Flash

Finally, a proper full-on cover-shot:

Manual Mode

Manual: f/8.0, 1/125s, ISO400, AWB with Flash (Vivid Colour Style)

Hope you’re buying the latest in the GX series…

85/80/7 Mark II

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Overdose of Shayari

I watched Umrao Jaan (again) last week and enjoyed listening to a lot of beautiful Ghazals in this movie. O and what a movie this is – the stunning and charismatic Rekha, great actors like Farooq Sheikh and Naseeruddin Shah, the movie cannot go wrong. Now I can’t wait to share some of my favourite Ghazals from this movie.

जुस्तुजू जिस की थी उस को तो न पाया हम ने
इस बहाने से मगर देख ली दुनिया हम ने

Justuju jis ki thi us ko to na paaya ham ne
Is bahaane se magar dekh li duniya ham ne

I could not get what I desired the most
At least I got to see the world along the way

सब का अहवाल वही है जो हमारा है आज
ये अलग बात कि शिकवा किया तन्हा हम ने

Sab ka ahwal vahi hai jo hamaara hai aaj
Ye alag baat ki shikva kiya tanha ham ne

Everyone’s condition is the same as mine today
Though it’s different that I complained in silence

ख़ुद पशीमान हुए न उसे शर्मिंदा किया
इश्क़ की वज़ को क्या ख़ूब निभाया हम ने

Khud pashimaan huye na usey sharminda kiya
Ishq ki vaza ko kya khoob nibhaaya ham ne

Neither did I repent nor did I shame him
I have well fulfilled the custom of love

कौन सा क़हर ये आँखों पे हुआ है नाज़िल
एक मुद्दत से कोई ख़्वाब न देखा हम ने

Kaun sa kahar ye aankhon pe hua hai naazil
Ek muddat se koi khwaab na dekha ham ne

What kind of a tragedy has befallen these eyes
That I have not dreamt for quite a while

उम्र भर सच ही कहा सच के सिवा कुछ न कहा
अज्र क्या इस का मिलेगा ये न सोचा हम ने

Umra bhar sach hi kaha sach ke siva kuch na kaha
Ajra kya is ka milega ye na socha ham ne

Have always spoken truth, nothing but the truth
I never thought of what will be its consequences

~~

ज़िन्दगी जब भी तेरी बज़्म में लाती है हमें
ये ज़मीं चाँद से बेहतर नज़र आती है हमें

Zindagi jab bhi teri bazm mein laati hai hamein
Ye zameen chaand se behtar nazar aati hai hamein

Whenever life brings me in your company
This Earth looks much better than the Moon

सुर्ख फूलों से महक उठती हैं दिल की राहें
दिन ढले यूँ तेरी आवाज़ बुलाती है हमें

Surkh phoolon se mehak uthti hain dil ki raahein
Din dhale yun teri aawaaz bulaati hai hamein

The roads to my heart smell of red flowers
Your voice invites me so as the Sun sets

याद तेरी कभी दस्तक, कभी सरगोशी से
रात के पिछले पहर रोज़ जगाती है हमें

Yaad teri kabhi dastak, kabhi sargoshi se
Raat ke pichle pahar roz jagaati hai hamein

Your memories knock sometimes, whisper other times
To wake me up during the late hours of every night

हर मुलाक़ात का अंजाम जुदाई क्यूँ है
अब तो हर वक़्त यही बात सताती है हमें

Har mulaaqaat ka anjaam judaai kyun hai
Ab to har waqt yahi baat sataati hai hamein

Why is the end to every meeting a parting?
These thoughts trouble me often these days

~~

दिल चीज़ क्या है आप मेरी जान लीजिये
बस एक बार मेरा कहा मान लीजिये

Dil cheej kya hai aap meri jaan lijiye
Bas ek baar mera kaha maan lijiye

What’s in a heart, you may have my soul
But just for once, you believe in my goal

इस अंजुमन में आपको आना है बार-बार
दीवार-ओ-दर को गौर से पहचान लीजिये

Is anjuman mein aapko aana hai baar-baar
Deewar-o-dar ko gaur se pehchaan lijiye

You will come to this gathering again and again
Make sure to recognize these walls and doors well

माना के दोस्तों को नहीं दोस्ती का पास
लेकिन ये क्या के गैर का अहसान लीजिये

Maana ke doston ko nahin dosti ka paas
Lekin ye kya ke gair ka ehsaan lijiye

I know friends do not have much regards for friendship
But what’s this that you ask for favours from strangers

कहिये तो आसमां को ज़मीं पर उतार लाएं
मुश्किल नहीं है कुछ भी अगर ठान लीजिये

Kahiye to aasmaan ko zameen par utaar laaen
Mushkil nahin hai kuch bhi agar thaan lijiye

I can bring down the Sky to Earth if you ask
Nothing is too difficult once a decision is made

शहरयार (Shahryar)