Beyond Reality: Experience with Fiction

I have always been a reader, but for the longest time, I found myself primarily drawn to non-fiction. I suppose I was always fascinated by real-life stories and historical events, and I felt that there was always something new to discover in non-fiction. I am particularly drawn to Ghazal books, with their rich and evocative poetry that could stir so many different emotions and memories within me.

Recently, however, I found myself venturing into the realm of fiction. Reading is a form of escapism, like a drug, and I had forgotten how much I enjoyed a relaxing fiction book until I picked up these two crime novels: “The Scent of Death” by Simon Beckett and “Written in Blood” by Chris Carter. I decided to give them a try, and to my surprise, I found myself completely engrossed in their stories.

“The Scent of Death” by Simon Beckett is a thrilling crime novel that follows forensic anthropologist Dr. David Hunter as he investigates a series of murders in the English countryside. The book is not only a gripping mystery but also an exploration of the human condition. Along the same lines, “Written in Blood” by Chris Carter is a psychological thriller that follows detective Robert Hunter as he investigates a series of gruesome murders in Los Angeles. The book is a page-turner, and I glided through hundreds of pages in one sitting, keeping me engaged until the very end. The thrill of trying to solve the mystery, the tension of waiting to see what would happen next, and the satisfaction of finally uncovering the truth are all incredibly addictive.

I must admit, I had not expected to enjoy fiction as much as I did, but these two books have opened my eyes to the many possibilities that fiction has to offer. I am excited to continue exploring and discovering new books and authors in the genre of crime fiction and other genres in the future.

A Lover’s Dilemma

The heart is like a smartphone,
With her as my background, it always on,
But now her absence, a glitch,
A black screen, my heart’s longing does itch.

Memories of our bond, like a social media feed,
Scrolling through, now with a sense of need,
Floundering and astray, like a lost wifi connection,
Drifting away, our bond, now a lost recollection.

The new year brings change, but not for me,
As I wait for her message, a sign of glee,
But my hope is like a broken dream,
A monotonous routine, with no end in sight, it seems.

She speaks of allegiance, but her actions tell a different tale,
A hedgehog’s dilemma, her love for me, she does veil,
Clouds of doubt, her heart does assail,
A buyer’s market, she does not fail.

My soul, I have bared with care,
But response, she does not spare.
Her fascination with the elite, a snare,
A time-tested acquaintance, a fallback, a sad affair.

The Sleep Bank: A Dream Come True

As someone who requires a considerable amount of sleep, I often find myself wishing for a way to store and retrieve sleep like a bank. Imagine being able to hit a button and snooze away extra time when you have nothing to do, and then borrowing from that stored time when you have a big project or event coming up.

The idea of a “sleep bank” may sound too good to be true, but just imagine the possibilities. No more feeling guilty for sleeping in on the weekends or feeling like you can never catch up on missed sleep. With a sleep bank, you could deposit your extra time and withdraw it when you need it. Not only that, it could also have an alarm that will wake you up in the morning, and it can make you fall asleep at the right time in the night so you wake up completely fresh at the target time in the morning.

Not only would a sleep bank make our daily lives easier, but it could also have a positive impact on our health. We all know how important sleep is for our overall well-being, but sometimes it can be difficult to get enough. With a sleep bank, we could make sure we’re getting the right amount of sleep at the right times.

It may sound like something straight out of a science fiction movie, but who knows? Maybe one day, the idea of a sleep bank will be a reality. Until then, we’ll just have to keep dreaming.

Painter’s Paradox Reimagined

Consider the Coastline Paradox where the smaller the unit of measurement or ruler you pick out to measure the total length of the coastline of any landmass, the larger it gets. This occurs because of the fractal-like property of the coastline wherein the area bound by the curve or coastline is finite, but the perimeter or the length of the coastline approaches infinity. This is how Norway gets the second-longest coastline in the world due to its long and deep fjords placing it ahead of much bigger countries like Russia in terms of the length of coastline. In practice, the resolution of the GIS data determines the measurement of such geographical features.

Koch snowflake, Leofun01, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

In the same manner, Gabriel’s horn, a geometry figure having infinite surface area but finite volume introduces Painter’s paradox where the horn could be filled with a finite quantity of paint and yet the paint would not be sufficient to coat its surface. To resolve the paradox there would be certain things to consider such as the limitation of a physical paint, its thickness, viscosity, flowrate etc or it can be avoided by considering a hypothetical paint for the sake of the problem.

Now let’s talk about painting the whole surface area of a country in a quest to determine the true surface area with all of its rich topographical features — mountains, hills, valleys, water bodies, and buildings. Unlike the length of coastlines, different sources providing data regarding the areas of the countries are rather consistent. The region is assumed perfectly flat and thus the area is calculated. Elevation changes are mainly disregarded in the calculation of the area as the effect of elevation difference is relatively small in the grand scheme of calculating the total area of the region. Say, for a 300 x 300 sq. km region a fairly high elevation difference of 3 km (9842 feet) i.e. 1% of the 2D stretch of the country appears to be pretty much negligible and as smooth as a baby’s bum. For the majority of the countries being relatively smaller, there is no substantial effect due to the roundness and the curvature of the earth. For mountainous countries like Switzerland or Nepal, a measurement resolution of 100 sq. m would probably only make 5% to 10 % difference in the land area.

Exaggerated Relief Map of the Indian subcontinent (Source: etsy.com)

However, in my little to no knowledge of geomorphometry, the actual surface area to be painted for a country, given all the mountains, troughs, buildings, and nooks and crannies — poses the same kind of paradox as the Coastline paradox does. Of course, the volume of the paint would be a finitely huge number but the painted surface area would approach an extremely unthinkable number if not infinity.

Consider this: you have a hill that is 1 km in diameter. When you measure it with a 1 sq. km resolution, it will look like 1 sq. km in area, but when you go to measure it with the 1 sq. m resolution, it will look like more than a million, because the sides of the hill have a slope to them. I believe, the economic surveys of smaller regions and the local geospatial data certainly take into account these elevation differences.

Mathematically, the shape of the terrain in a mountainous region would render a larger surface area due to its fractally rough and sloped surface and if we try to go microscopically to the atomic level taking into account all the flora, rocks, and soil particles not to mention the chaotic water bodies.

“As our circle of knowledge expands, so does the circumference of darkness surrounding it.”

— Albert Einstein

Constellations to muse

I did not pay much attention to constellations before but was always intrigued by the night sky especially when I got to my hometown up in the western Himalayas. The night sky here is almost as beautiful as the day sky. On a clear night, you can distinctly see thousands of stars sprinkled across the midnight blue fabric and the expansive Milky Way all with your naked eyes which is a lot difficult to witness in a city as opposed to the countryside because of all the light pollution and skyglow.

Star Constellation Chart (Credit: Robert Sullivan)

On one such night on the fifth of March, I spotted Canis Major — visible in the northern sky in winters with the brightest star Sirius; Orion — with the three-star belt; Taurus the Bull — with V-shaped Hyades cluster; The Pleiades star cluster, and Ursa Major (Big Dipper or Great Bear) going counterclockwise from the South. I wish to spot the Ursa Minor and the Polaris at its tail/head but could not because of the gigantic mountains towards the North.

Reminds me of a Ghalib’s sher from the ghazal sab kahan kuch laala-o-gul mein . . .

thiiñ banāt-un-nāsh-e-gardūñ din ko parde meñ nihāñ
shab ko un ke jī meñ kyā aa.ī ki uryāñ ho ga.iiñ

थीं बनात-उन-नाश-ए-गर्दुं दिन को पर्दे में निहाँ
शब को उन के जी में क्या आई कि उर्यां हो गईं
– Mirza Ghalib

Here’s is an interactive night sky map to muse.

Top 20: All-Time Favourite Films From Around The World

Without going through a long rambling article, I am sharing my all-time favourite movies mostly watched multiple times over the last decade up until 2022. I do believe there are probably a lot more gems to watch which may be vying for a few places in this contentious and fiercely competitive catalogue of mine. Having said that, I just want to put it out as a disclaimer that to my little knowledge of cinema, these are the ones that piqued my interest and lingered in my mind the most after watching them. They may not be in any particular order, however, based on certain factors such as rewatch value, relevance, cinematography, and emotional finesse one could appear more engaging than the other in the listing order.

My Top 20 Movies of All-Time

Sr. No.	Film	Year	Film Industry	Director
1	Once Upon A Time In America	1984	Italian – American	Sergio Leone
2	The Good, the Bad and the Ugly	1966	Italian	Sergio Leone
3	Pulp Fiction	1994	American	Quentin Tarantino
4	Harakiri (Japanese: 切腹)	1962	Japanese	Masaki Kobayashi
5	M	1931	German	Fritz Lang
6	Paths of Glory	1957	American	Stanley Kubrick
7	The Graduate	1967	American	Mike Nichols
8	Psycho	1960	American	Alfred Hitchcock
9	A Short Film About Love (Polish: Krótki film o miłości)	1988	Polish	Krzysztof Kieślowski
10	Love Story	1970	American	Arthur Hiller
11	The Irishman	2019	American	Martin Scorsese
12	Touching The Void	2003	British	Kevin Macdonald
13	The Curious Case of Benjamin Button	2008	American	David Fincher
14	The Hunt	2012	Danish	Thomas Vinterberg
15	The Shining	1984	American	Stanley Kubrick
16	A Frozen Flower (Korean: 쌍화점)	2008	Korean	Yoo Ha
17	Road To Perdition	2002	American	Sam Mendes
18	The Man From Earth	2007	American	Richard Schenkman
19	There Will Be Blood	2007	American	Paul Thomas Anderson
20	In The Mood For Love	2000	Hong Kong – France	Wong Kar-wai
*	Mughal-E-Azam	1960	Indian	K. Asif

* honourable mention of my favourite Indian movie — not included in the 20s as it has a special place for me

Kullu To Manali Journey Along The Beas River

Looking back at the year it was an adventurous ride for me. In the mid of October, I planned to go on a trek to some nearby mountain pass or peak in Himachal Pradesh. It was not the best time of the year to go very high up as most of the treks above 4000 meters get closed for trekking in autumn for the rest of the year till the peak of the spring. But it was doable and I geared up for Hampta Pass (4270 m or 14000 feet) which connects Manali to Lahaul. It is only one or two months window of time between monsoon and winter for those high passes especially for amateurs like me.

I took a local bus from Rampur Bushahr, the nearest station to my hometown, to Kullu. The route NH 305 slithers through Jalori Pass or Jalori Jot at an elevation of about 3200 m and merges with NH 3, Kullu – Manali – Leh highway at the 2.6 km long and dicey Aut tunnel. The passage remains closed for four months during winters due to heavy snowfall in higher reaches. It took rather long for me on this Sainj- Luhri – Anni – Jalori – Aut route to reach the Kullu town. So I got off the bus in Bhuntar, a town just 10 km South of Kullu because of the Dussehra festival traffic.

HRTC Bus Stand Manali

So this video is the first in series of my journey to Hampta Pass Trek and it started from Bhuntar on the next day of Dussehra. Bhuntar town is situated at the confluence of the Parvati River with the River Beas. Bhuntar Airport aka Kullu Airport is one of the only 3 domestic airports in Himachal. Beas Valley, a fairly open valley, runs up North and Parvati Valley runs eastwards, through a steep-sided valley towards Kasol, Manikaran, Tosh, and Khir Ganga. You can see some processions of local deities on the way to the renowned International Mega Dussehra festival observed in Kullu. Stay tuned for the next part of the journey.

Filmi Ghazals: Repository of Ghazals in Hindi cinema aka Bollywood

As an aficionado of Ghazals, I am trying to build up a fairly comprehensive list of ghazals that are featured in Hindi cinema also known as Bollywood. I’ll keep adding to the list. Do suggest some of your favourite filmi ghazals in the comments so I can add them. Also, let me know of any mistakes in the entries.

There is of course only one condition: the songs should be in the ghazal format.

SrNo	Ghazal	Poet	Film	Year
1	Aah Ko Chahiye Ek Umar Asar Hone Tak	Mirza Ghalib	Mirza Ghalib	1954
2	Aaj Socha To Ansoo Bhar Aaye	Kaifi Azmi	Hanste Zakhm	1973
3	Aaye Bahar Ban Ke Lubha Kar Chale Gaye	Hasrat Jaipuri	Rajhath	1956
4	Ae Dil Mujhe Aisi Jagah Le Chal	Majrooh Sultanpuri	Aarzoo	1950
5	Ae Mohabbat Meri Duniya Mein	Shakeel Badayuni	Bees Saal Baad	1962
6	Ahl-E-Dil Yun Bhi Nibha Lete Hai	Naqsh Lyallpuri	Dard	1981
7	Badi Nazuk Hai Ye Manzil	Zameer Kazmi	Joggers’ Park	2003
8	Barbad-E-Mohabbat Ki Dua Saath Liye Ja	Sahir Ludhianvi	Laila Majnu	1976
9	Bekasi Had Se Jab Guzar Jaaye	Jan Nisar Akhtar	Kalpana	1960
10	Bemuravat Bewafa Begana-E-Dil Aap Hain	Jan Nisar Akhtar	Sushila	1966
11	Bhari Duniya Mein Akhir Dil Ko	Shakeel Badayuni	Do Badan	1966
12	Bhule Se Mohabbat Kar Baitha	Sahir Ludhianvi	Dil Hi To Hai	1963
13	Bujha Diye Hain Khud Apne Hanthon	Sahir Ludhianvi	Shagoon	1964
14	Chehre Pe Khushi Chha Jaati Hai	Sahir Ludhianvi	Waqt	1965
15	Chhalke Teri Aankhon Se	Hasrat Jaipuri	Aarzoo	1965
16	Chhoo Lene Do Nazuk Hothon Ko	Sahir Ludhianvi	Kaajal	1965
17	Chupke Chupke Raat Din	Hasrat Mohani	Nikaah	1982
18	Deewana Keh Ke Aaj Mujhe Phir Pukariye	Shakeel Badayuni	Mulzim	1963
19	Deewano Se Ye Mat Poocho	Qamar Jalalabadi	Upkar	1967
20	Dekha Hai Zindagi Ko Kuchh Itna Kareeb Se	Sahir Ludhianvi	Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka	1975
21	Dhadakte Dil Ki Tamanna Ho	Kaifi Azmi	Shama	1961
22	Dikhayi Diye Yun Ke Bekhud Kiya	Mir Taqi Mir	Bazaar	1982
23	Dil Cheez Kya Hai	Shahryar	Umrao Jaan	1981
24	Dil Ke Armaan Aansuon Mein Beh Gaye	Hasan Kamaal	Nikaah	1982
25	Dil-E-Nadan Tujhe Hua Kya	Mirza Ghalib	Mirza Ghalib	1954
26	Dil-E-Nashad Ko Jeene Ki	M R Sharma	Chunaria	1948
27	Door Rahakar Na Karo Baat	Sahir Ludhianvi	Amaanat	1977
28	Duniya-E-Aarzoo Mita Kar Chale Gaye	D N Madhok	Barsat Ki Ek Raat	1948
29	Dushman Na Kare Dost Ne	Indeevar	Aakhir Kyon	1985
	Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujh Par	Hasrat Jaipuri	Junglee	1961
30	Guzre Hain Aaj Ishq Mein Ham	Shakeel Badayuni	Dil Diya Dard Liya	1966
31	Hai Bas Ke Har Ek Unke Ishare	Mirza Ghalib	Mirza Ghalib	1954
32	Hai Isi Mein Pyar Ki Aabru	Raja Mehdi Ali Khan	Anpadh	1962
33	Hai Mauj Mein Apne Begaane	Arzoo Lakhnavi	Raat Ki Rani	1949
34	Hal-E-Dil Yun Unhe Sunaya Gaya	Rajendera Krishan	Jahan Ara	1964
35	Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi	Mirza Ghalib	Ghayal	1951
36	Hum Aapki Aankhon Mein	Sahir Ludhianvi	Pyaasa	1957
37	Hum Dard Ke Maron Ka Itna Hi Fasana Hai	Hasrat Jaipuri	Daag	1952
38	Hum Hain Mata-E-Koocha-O-Bazar Ki Tarah	Rajinder Singh Puri	Dastak	1970
39	In Aankhon Ki Masti Ke Mastane	Shahryar	Umrao Jaan	1981
40	Is Bhari Duniya Mein Koi Bhi	Rajendra Krishan	Bharosa	1963
41	Ishaare Ishaare Mein Duniya Bana	Unattributed	Manmani	1947
42	Ishq Mujhko Nahi Wahshat Hi Sahi	Mirza Ghalib	Mirza Ghalib	1954
43	Itni Haseen Itni Jawan Raat Kya Karen	Sahir Ludhianvi	Aaj Aur Kal	1963
44	Jana Tha Humse Door	Rajinder Krishan	Adalat	1958
45	Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar	Kaifi Azmi	Arth	1982
46	Jurm-E-Ulfat Pe	Sahir Ludhianvi	Taj Mahal	1964
47	Justaju Jiski Thi Us ko To Na Paaya Humne	Shahryar	Umrao Jaan	1981
48	Kabhi Ae Haqiqat-e-Muntazir	Allama Iqbal	Dulhan Ek Raat Ki	1967
49	Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi Halat Pe Rona	Sahir Ludhianvi	Hum Dono	1961
50	Kabhi Kisiko Muqammal Jahan Nahi Milta	Nida Fazli	Ahista Ahista	1981
51	Kahan Meri Manzil Kahan Meri Rahen	Madhukar Rajasthani	Diwali Ki Raat	1956
52	Khumar-E-Gam Hai Mahakti Fiza	Gulzar	Leela	2002
53	Kisi Ki Yaad Mein Duniya Ko Hai	Rajendera Krishan	Jahan Ara	1964
54	Kisi Nazar Ko Tera Intezar	Farooq Qaiser	Aitbaar	1985
55	Kisi Ne Nazar Se Nazar Jab Mila Di	Sahir Ludhianvi	Humsafar	1953
56	Koi Fariyad Tere Dil Mein	Faiz Anwar	Tum Bin	2001
57	Koi Sagar Dil Ko Bahlata Nahin	Shakeel Badayuni	Dil Diya Dard Liya	1966
58	Lagta Nahin Hai Dil Mera Ujde Dyar Mein	Bahadur Shah Zafar	Lal Quila	1960
59	Layi Hayaat Aaye Qaaza	Mohammad Ibrahim Zauq	Shabaab	1954
60	Main Teri Nazar Ka Suroor Hoon	Rajendra Krishan	Jahan Ara	1964
61	Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya	Sahir Ludhianvi	Hum Dono	1961
62	Mana Teri Nazar Me Tera Pyaar Hum Nahi	Naqsh Lyallpuri	Ahista Ahista	1981
63	Mile Na Phool To Kaanton Se Dosti	Kaifi Azmi	Anokhi Raat	1968
64	Milti Hai Zindagi Mein Mohabbat	Sahir Ludhianvi	Aakhen	1968
65	Mohabbat Hi Na Jo Samjhe	Noor Lakhnavi	Parchhain	1952
66	Mohabbat Ki Rahon Mein Chalna	Shakeel Badayuni	Uran Khatola	1955
67	Mohabbat Tark Ki Maine Gareban	Sahir Ludhianvi	Do Raha	1952
68	Mujhe Kuch Khabar Na Ho Saki	Raaz Allahabadi	Non-filmi	–
69	Mujhko Yaaron Maaf Karna	Shailendra	Main Nashe Mein Hoon	1959
70	Na Kisi Ke Aankh Ka Noor Hoon	Bahadur Shah Zafar	Lal Quila	1960
71	Na Milta Gham Toh Barbadi	Shakeel Badayuni	Amar	1954
72	Na Moonh Chhupa Ke Jiyo	Sahir Ludhianvi	Hamraaz	1967
73	Na Tu Zameen Ke Liye	Sahir Ludhianvi	Dastan	1972
74	Naghma-O-Sher Ki Saugaat Kise Pesh Karun	Sahir Ludhianvi	Gazal	1964
75	Naseeb Mein Jiske Jo Likha Tha	Shakeel Badayuni	Do Badan	1966
76	Nukta Cheen Hai Gham-E-Dil	Mirza Ghalib	Mirza Ghalib	1954
77	Paon Choo Lene Do Phoolon Ko	Sahir Ludhianvi	Taj Mahal	1963
78	Parbaton Ke Pedon Par Shaam	Sahir Ludhianvi	Shagoon	1964
79	Phir Chhidi Raat Baat Phoolon Ki Raat Hai	Maqdoom Mohiuddin	Bazaar	1982
80	Phir Mujhe Deeda E-Tar Yaad Aaya	Mirza Ghalib	Mirza Ghalib	1954
81	Rafta Rafta Woh Humare Dil Ke	Qamar Jalalabadi	Ham Kahan Jaa Rahe Hain	1965
82	Raha Gardishon Mein Hardum	Shakeel Badayuni	Do Badan	1966
83	Rahiye Ab Aisi Jaga Chal Kar Jahan Koi Na Ho	Mirza Ghalib	Mirza Ghalib	1954
84	Rahne Laga Hai Dil Mein Andhera	Behzad Lakhnavi	Roti	1942
85	Rang Aur Noor Ki Baraat Kise Pesh Karoon	Sahir Ludhianvi	Gazal	1964
86	Rasm-E-Ulfat Ko Nibhaye	Naqsh Lyallpuri	Dil Ki Rahen	1973
87	Rehte The Kabhi Jinke Dil Mein Ham	Majrooh Sultanpuri	Mamta	1966
88	Ruke Ruke Se Qadam	Gulzar	Mausam	1975
89	Sabaa Se Yeh Keh Do	Madan Mohan	Bank Manager	1959
90	Seene Mein Jalan Aankhon Mein Toofan	Shahryar	Gaman	1978
91	Sharma Ke Yun Na Dekh	Sahir Ludhianvi	Neel Kamal	1968
92	Tadbeer Se Bigadi Huyee Taqdeer	Sahir Ludhianvi	Baazi	1951
93	Tang Aa Chuke Hai	Sahir Ludhianvi	Pyaasa	1957
94	Tere Pyar Ki Tamanna Gham-E-Zindagi Ke Saye	Hasan Kamaal	Tawaif	1985
95	Tu Nahin To Zindagi Mein	Iftikhar Imam Siddiqui	Arth	1982
96	Tujhe Kya Sunaoon Main Dilruba	Madan Mohan	Aakhiri Daao	1958
97	Tum Apna Ranj-o-Gham	Sahir Ludhianvi	Shagoon	1964
98	Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho	Kaifi Azmi	Arth	1982
99	Tum Ko Dekha Toh Ye Khayal	Javed Akhtar	Saath Saath	1982
100	Tumhare Bulane Ko Jee Chahta Hai	Prem Dhawan	Ladli	1949
101	Tumhari Zulf Ke Saye Me Shaam Kar Lunga	Kaifi Azmi	Naunihal	1967
102	Ujdi Hui Hai Ishq Ki Duniya Tere Bagair	Pandit Phani	Refugee	1948
103	Unake Kayaal Aaye To Aate Chale Gaye	Hasrat Jaipuri	Lal Patthar	1972
104	Unko Ye Shikayat Hai Ki Ham	Rajendera Krishan	Adalat	1958
105	Uthaye Ja Unke Sitam	Majrooh Sultanpuri	Andaz	1949
106	Wo Aaye Hai Dil Ko Karar Aa Gaya	Farooq Qaiser	Malika Salomi	1953
107	Wo Jo Hum Mein Tum Mein Qarar Tha	Momin Khan Momin	Shikaayat	1948
108	Ye Mulaqat Ek Bahana Hai	Naqsh Lyallpuri	Khandaan	1979
109	Yeh Hawa Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni	Rajinder Krishan	Sangdil	1952
110	Yeh Kya Jagah Hai	Shahryar	Umrao Jaan	1981
111	Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismat	Mirza Ghalib	Mirza Ghalib	1954
112	Yeh Wadiyan Yeh Fizaayein	Sahir Ludhianvi	Ravi	1963
113	Yun Hasraton Ke Daag Mohabbat Mein Dho Liye	Rajinder Krishan	Adalat	1958
114	Zara Sun Haseena-E-Nazneen	Shakeel Badayuni	Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya	1963
115	Zara Thehro Main Haal-e-Dil Suna Doon	Raja Mehdi Ali Khan	Inaam	1955
116	Zinda Hoon Is Tarah Ki	Behzad Lakhnavi	Aag	1948
117	Zindagi Aaj Mere Naam Se Sharmati Hai	Shakeel Badayuni	Son of India	1962
118	Zindagi Jab Bhi Teri Bazm Mein Lati Hai Humain	Shahryar	Umrao Jaan	1981
119	Zindagi Mein Jab Tumhare Gham Nahin The	Sudarshan Faakir	Dooriyaan	1979

Here is a public YouTube playlist for the same here. I’ll keep adding to the list. Till then, cheers and take care of yourself!

Filmi Ghazals: Ghazals from Hindi cinema

Kashapat: Remotest Village of Shimla | Himachal Himalayas

Kashapat is one of the remotest and unexplored villages of Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh, located at about 155 kms north-eastward of the state capital. You can never gauge the true expanse of the mountainous geography of Himalaya until you visit one of such sites.

Bhelnu Peak and Darkali Hills as seen from Shrai Koti Mata Temple

Kashapat is a cluster of villages and settlements. Most prominent are Kasha, Paat, and Kandi with an average elevation of 2500 meters or 8200 feet. The valley also hosts arguably the highest and also unclimbed peak of Shimla, Bhelnu Tibba at around 5220 meters (17125 feet). The surrounding glacial peaks are the source of Nogli river, a tributary of Sutlej.

Kasha Village

The road journey to Kashapat is filled with treacherous twists and turns as the roads are carved onto a steep rocky terrain. The giddy heights of precipitous overhangs may produce butterflies in your stomach and raise your heartbeats. The construction of this 20 kms stretch of the road undertook more than 10 years of careful rock drilling, cutting and blasting activities and it is still in the final stages of making. An entire day of knee-crushing trek is now reduced to just a few hours thanks to the rough road.

Kandi Village as seen from Jagoti Dhar

Valleys have dark forests of perennial coniferous trees like deodar (Himalayan cedar), fir, spruce, and other indigenous trees until the trees disappear beyond the treeline giving a majestic spectacle of rocky snow-capped peaks all around the year.

Winter months, December to March bring harsh sub-zero weather conditions with ample days of snowfall activities. Locals brace themselves with enough food supplies for their livestocks mainly cattle, sheep, and goats. Major occupations are animal husbandry and farming. Apple harvesting season is one of the major attractions.

Kandi Village

Like any other town of the state, education has utmost regard and kids commute long distances on foot every day — crossing water bodies and mountains to reach school just like our parents figuratively did in their childhood.

Govt. Senior Secondary School, Kashapat

As the village is situated on a rocky slope, sometimes the relationships between locals turn out to be on the rocks. Yet with all the struggle in life, they are the most innocent bunch out there.

Atal Tunnel @ 10000 feet | Rohtang Pass | Lahaul Spiti in First Snowfall

All right, back after a long hiatus. I just happened to visit this engineering marvel in the first snowfall of the season last week.

Atal Tunnel is built on NH3 highway to provide access to Lahual-Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh throughout the year bypassing the existing Rohtang La which remains closed for more than half a year because of heavy snowfall in the high mountain pass.

Atal Tunnel South Portal

This tunnel is a little more than 9 kms in length and is the longest road tunnel above 10,000 feet in the world and reduces the travel time to Keylong and Leh by 4 to 5 hours.

Some glimpses of the journey in the video below.