Stanford and Nobel

It was a big mistake . The newspaper published an obituary of a person living while his brother died by mistake . In the obituary it was written that the dead man had contributed to help kill more people quickly with his discoveries . The discovery was dynamite and the man in question was Alfred Nobel . Few people like to be remembered as the angel of death and Nobel who was a great man didnt want that fate . So he wrote a will where he put 94 percent of his millions into an award which is now called Nobel Prize .

Take home message . Pause for a moment and reflect on how you want to be remembered . As the rich man down the block who was stingy to even spare a penny , the workaholic who was so busy working that not only he didnt have time for his family but even for himself ..If you say you dont have the fortune of Nobel you have missed the point . Even in the rare occasion if you are poor who cant spare a penny, you can spare your time or any of your talents for greater causes .Not only for the joy by that altrusitic purpose but also isnt it good you are remembered well ?

Stanford University is world famous . Its so prestigious that intake is 5 percent of those who apply and many alumni are world famous . Not to speak of 8000 acre campus and the facilities . But the origin was based on a tragedy . There was a rich couple who had an only child named Stanford junior  He died at the age of 15 . Typical reaction of a couple who loses their only child is deep depression and withdrawal . Or getting angry at the world and withdrawal . Of course they were deeply distraught but the next day they decided if they lost their child then let the people of california be their children . and let them get what their child could not get . A world famous academia , a university like no other and he used most of his riches for this purpose , Tuition was free for many years too . That is the story of Stanford university .

Take home message . Nothing ..In this modern age of increasing thinking of me and my family and regretting in old age when no one is there including the children who were reared in the "me " culture think beyond ones immediate circle . Losing an only child is a rare tragedy though famous people like Rambo(screenname of Sylvester Stallone ) and singer Chitra lost their children . But though most cant start a university in memory of a child , it would be a good gesture to use every opportunity to give other children the gifts which you can afford especially education . I know many people do it but just wanted to say this as each reading of famous peoples short biographies tell me they were not only great in their discoveries , professional success etc but were beautiful people in their personal lives .

we are the world --usa for africa music blog

I sometimes wish you were like me . A western music fan .If you are maybe you can understand me when i say i was overwhelmed when i first heard we are the world music video yesterday . Of course partly it was because it was made for a great charitable purpose .

But mostly it was because i was seeing the music legends whom i adored since childhood sharing the same podium or studio for a great cause . Check out wikipedia for details and also the music video in youtube . I still remember the day when heard the loud music many shops away Michael jackson was playing full volume after his album was released called BAD .From next day on my home was pulsating with his music . And we are the world was nostalgic because michael jackson wrote it along with lionel Richie at the formers family home. Though the pop icon is no longer alive his music lives on.

Then there is Tina Turner in the video whose powerful voice little on lower pitch who reminded me of days in my teenage when i was dancing up and down to her hit number "whats love got to do with it " . The blind man was there the person who showed that you can be world famous if one of the senses is not working vision while the other sense is world famous : his voice . With his signature cooling glass he was there showcasing his high pitch tenor voice . Having listened to his song and sang along " I just called to say I love you " his presence was overwhelming with nostalgia for his songs.

Of course the other blind man the world famous singer legend Ray Charles was there whom i have only heard about . Then there was this curious person who was singing with a tone which reminded me of a rock guitar . His contrast with my high tenor stevie wonder pop music was obvious . He was the legend of rock Bruce springsteen and i was amazed at how i havent heard him so far though not my genre primarily . Music is indeed vast .

Then there was this beautiful woman who was jumping up and down as if her feet was on fire . Cyndie Loper, who is 61 now (the music video was made in 80s when she was in her early 30s ) was showing the typical mannerism for which rock and pop shows are famous . The positive energy on stage . Imagine yesudas jumping up and down 1 feet high with an electric guitar .

Bob Dylan the legend and a host of others were there and over the next few days i should sample each of their songs . For once it was amazing thinking about listening to that song which was born in the pop legends family home and which featured 2 blind men , people of many races , people of different voice types , different genres of music . And in addition it was interesting to note the message which was hung on the door of that recording studio " Keep your egos outside " ..Shouldnt we too do the same when we play our parts in the music of life . Philosophical ? Sorry i was a bit nostalgic and overwhelmed ..Would love to hear your comments if anyone is into western music

katharina and brenda lee :on music random musings

At six years of age the melody was the only thing i remember of the goan song . I used to hear it repeatedly in a tape recorder and at that time didnt have even a concept of where this goa was . For a small town child it was a far away land . And at that age the fast and jolly melody and the word katherina repeatedly meant only that it was a happy song about katherina . In sharp contrast was another song about Mommy (that word is universal for mother )which through its slower tempo and choice of chords progressions and tone evoked even in a six year old boy that its a sad song about someones mother .

Years passed . These days i go through not only melody but the lyrics and even music videos , the biography of the singer and the history of the song etc . I am surprised that when you analyse the music from latin american music to old western music not only the moods conveyed are the same but even the themes are similar in lyrics across the globe . Frankly i was surprised since the general concept of "western " is fast music with no head and tail of the lyrics .

Frank sinatra songs Strangers in the night is a description of two people who goes on from being strangers to being a couple forever . His another song My way shows the confidence as well as sweet arrogance of living life on ones own terms . Reading the biography of Frank sinatra adds an extra dimension to these songs which also reflected his offline persona ..

Another singer of yore was Brenda lee who at 4 feet 9 inches was an amazing singer . Her song "All alone am I "shows in all melody as well as lyrics the feelings of a woman just out of love . And her Rockin around a christmas tree shows how the lyrics and the human voice can work wonders celebrating a universal festival . The guitar like slur in that song vocals is too good .

Without going further back in western music lets go down to south america the land of latin music . Recently when i tried google translate of my favorite latin american bachata music solo por en beso . I wasnt surprised to find the obvious . Its description of a kiss and love . The tempo and mood makes it obvious . But what i couldnt fathom was the mention of "religion " even there . I was surprised to find the ever dividing religiosity even in latin america which is predominantly a catholic country unlike ours with numerous religions and castes . Again i understood the themes are similar across the globe .It is even mentioned as an impediment of love even in a latin american romantic song .

I had sleepless night in the bus listening to the lambada song in college bus excursion .For a fan of pop music that was first time i was listening latin music . I saw the music video years later and saw only the mini skirts and gyrating hips . But recently i realised the message is racial harmony in the music video . The hips are still gyrating so for the moralistic please dont see the video.

Still dont know what katherina did in the original goan song but go west or southwest across the globe music is enchanting and messages are the same .

And i would say music is better than any of contemporary religion .. It enchants , unites and gives harmonious messages .. Heal the world .. Make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race... Michael Jackson .. Heal the world ..