My day with Kawai... Totoro... and life

How often is it that we realize that what really matters in life isn't something that can be bought with money. And yet... it can be? Confused? Well, I'm talking of those instances when we lost ourselves as children in the frolics of Tom and Jerry, cheered Popeye when he gave Bluto a beating and laughed merrily when Charlie Chaplin tripped the bad guy non-chalantly! Those moments are stuff that cannot be bought no matter how much money you brandish. But one can get close! And if you're like me, you can get asymptotically close! You can get the DVDs or the Blue Rays of these cartoon series and atleast for a while, lose all inhibitions and become the child you once were.

I had the wonderful opportunity of doing just that a few days ago. I'd gone over to my cousin's place and she has the cutest and the naughtiest boy on the face of the planet! And he has one weakness - a weakness he shares with me! He loves watching "Tonari no Totoro". If this name means nothing to you and you were born in the eighties or later, I pity you... Your childhood has been depraved! But if you know what I'm alluding to, good for you!

I watched the DVD version of the movie and for the amount of time that it ran, everything was perfect with the world. I envy Satsuki and Mei from the movie! Their innocence is something that children these days seem to lose so fast! And Totoro... my darling Totoro! How I'd love to cuddle up to that huge mountain spirit and sleep like a baby!

And then there's the Catbus! That's hands down the best way to travel wherever one wants to go! And to think that Appa from Avatar was inspired by the Catbus! Excuse me while I have a moment of pride here! :P Seriously though, if we really did have something like the Catbus, wouldn't it be the AWESOMEST thing EVER?!!!!! Why can't it exist, god?! WHYYYYYYYYYY????!!!!!!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It's Catbus!!!!

As expected from Hayao Miyazaki, Tonari no Totoro is such an enjoyable watch! The lessons one takes home from the movie are simple but to the heart. And in an age where fairy tales are misconstrued left right and center, one needs to go back to movies like these to remember what fairy tales were really like! This movie literally put Miyazaki into the spot light and he in turn shared that attention with the Japanese animation industry. And the rest... as they say... is history!

And speaking of Anime, I have another source of inspiration to share with you, my darling readers! If you've heard of Kenji Kawai and the kind of music he makes for Japanese animation series and films and numerous other movies and video games, you'll know what's coming up next! If not, don't worry... you don't know what's coming up next but you'll enjoy it none the less!

Kenji Kawai is the maestro who composed music for the Ghost in the Shell series and he infused traditional Japanese Shinto music to Western musical arrangements and the result is spellbinding! I find that the more I listen to his music, the more I am at peace with the world and the more I mourn for those around me... the more selfless I become!





Do give it a listen and you'll know what I mean!

Life's more or less like a see-saw right about now. But hope, I have! Bucketful of Hope! Do you want some? :D

Serenato...

The mellifluous and lilting voice... she beckons... of hope that still flickers... of a future that is still not as desolate as I'm led to believe. And for a moment, I'm at peace as I float away like a dandelion's petal in the summer breeze.

And then, as the final notes of her music die, I am back in the void I had found myself to be in before she came along. And I struggle to grapple the reins of reality. I'm back from the land of the flying gulls and cliffs half clad in misty clouds. And I yearn to go back to where I was. Back to the birds in the sky as they fly into the sunset... for a while, everything is bathed in the dying sun's glow and all is beautiful in the world.

And I listen to her voice again... and all is well... for a while atleast!

Serenato....

Erhu.... my newfound love!

I've always had a special regard for those who could play a musical instrument... a person with the magical abilities to take some object that's mute and transform lives with it!
Speaking of music, how often is it that you listen to a piece of musical composition and you tend to lose yourself in it? I had the good fortune of having such an experience recently. And for all those out there who're expecting something Japanese, not this time! :)

The instrument under discussion is the Erhu(二胡).One of the Huquin instruments, it's the second highest in pitch after the Gaohu. I've heard them both but my heart leans more towards the Erhu for some reason. :)

Many of us non-Chinese have always associated China and its culture to the music of the Erhu almost unconsciously. And now, I can see why. The Erhu, though introduced to China from the non-Han demography has so gradually become the identity of the civilization. This and the Pipa, a lute that's just as synonymous with China and her people as the Erhu is.

I'm sure many of you would find more eloquent descriptions for the instruments that I have mentioned above. And it is not my intention to argue with that. All I can do now is give you a glimpse of what I saw... the music that brought forth torrents of emotions and a feeling that someone has so aptly captured whatever it was the you felt in the deepest corners of your hearts!




I'm really thinking of taking up learning a musical instrument. It's either going to be the Shamisen or the Erhu. :3

Kalafina's Magia... Clearly it's "lumos" in Music Land!

It must be obvious by now that I have been completely smitten by Kalafina and for good reason as well! :) Those people actually make good music and hopefully, will maintain their standards and style of music even after getting dizzyingly famous (which, they most definitely will! :D). They've released Magia which is their newest singles album and I should say, if you haven't heard their songs, you should! And not understanding the language is never an issue in music. My Mom is almost as conversant in Japanese as is my next door pure bred Tamil Neighbour who's never been outside the state! And she found Magia amazing... so amazing that she's been humming the tune without the words.

Their previous styles of music incorporated a lot of layering as far as composition is concerned and the same is the case here. But this time around, percussions are in focus. The beats will leave you tapping your tabletop with random eraser tipped pencils! :D And the guitar bridge in the middle... I'm sure most of you people out there have heard better stuff probably. But it was good... aweinspiring and strangely, made me more enthusiastic and optimistic. In a "I-can-kick-ass-and-look-good-doing-it" way!

And Keiko.... Darling Keiko... She gives me hope, I tell you! I'd always been shunned in my School and College choire for having a voice that bordered on Baritone. But now, seeing a well accomplised artist perform songs on that basal pitch and not being forced to squeak just so she'll sound feminine... It was a very nice thing to observe! There's hope yet, for girls like me who cannot sound girly when we sing!

I want their CDs! I want! I want! But I can't seem to find a place which will ship to my place of residence and I also recall the cute but empty wallet I possess... *sigh* I'm always open to people gifting me stuff out of the kindness of their hearts.... So.... *cough* you know.... *cough*

Gimme! Gimme! XD

P.S. Did you know that archaic purses when washed actually look pretty? -__-;;;

P.P.S. If people don't understand the pun in the title, I should say I'm not responsible!

Kalafina.... Music from the soul.

There are a few times in one's life when one is moved beyond words by music. I've been blessed with one such moment recently!

If anyone in India has access to Animax (Yep! I'm preening here! :P), they'll know of a series that goes by the name of Black Butler. It's also known in the lands of it's origin as Kuroshitsuji (黒執事). The ending theme of that Anime is a song by Kalafina, "Lacrimosa". And I should say... I am impressed. And you know, one internet search led to another and after listening to a few more of their songs, I've finally become a fan!

The group was formed by the very famous and enormously talented Yuki Kajiura. For those who're not sure who she is, she was the composer of many famous Anime and Games. Think Tsubasa Chronicles, .hack//SIGN, Madlax, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and many more! 

The members in the group are Kubota Keiko, Otaki Wakana and Hikaru Masai. Wakana holds the highest note while Kubota manages the lower notes and all three together, the ensemble is quite astounding! Their genre is closest to baroque Music. It's evident the singers put their hearts into the songs with lyrics that are unique to their genre. And for those who don't understand Japanese, they'll also be able to enjoy the music thanks to the wonderful composition from Yuki Kajiura.

I'd suggest you give their songs a try. You will not regret it! :) 

Music.... Yiruma.... Heaven!

“When people hear good music, it makes them homesick for something they never had, and never will have.”
- Edgar Watson Howe

>How true... Recently, I've been fortunate enough to listen to Yiruma. He's a South Korean composer whose works are just mind blowing to say the least. Having had formal education in Music from places like the Purcell Specialist Music School and King's College London, he has a lot of reputed compositions to his name. As I sit here, listening to his "River flows in you", I forget all that is around me.... it feels serene... it feels beautiful... as though the world has lost all shape and form and all that exists is only the strains of music that cover me like the loving arms of a mother. And I feel, if I were to die now, I shall regret nothing... this would be the best way to leave... amidst heaven!

Ahem... so, you know what I mean when I say it's good. So, try getting hold of the album if you can guys... you shalln't regret it! :D