Tag Archives: Passion

Match Your Favorite Music With A Scintillating Cocktail

Have you ever been down in the dumps and wanted to be left alone with just your music ( Back to Black – Amy Winehouse? Hum bewafa har kis na the by Kishore Kumar?)  Or, you wanted to sing aloud to the entire world and express your euphoria ( On the floor – J Lo?) Well, all of us have been there and done it at some point in time.

Whether I am  in a celebratory mood, hurt, nostalgic or sad, Music has always given me the much-needed respite, peace and solace!

Now, combine your music with a glass of Apple Martini or a Glen on the rocks – a person`s day can be complete! I actually “Stumbled Upon”  an  amazing website which gives some interesting pairings for music and cocktails.

Curtsey - http://drinkify.org/

This really got me thinking how relevant music, moods and beverages are. I mean, after my 2nd Martini, I could not have listened to Frank Sinatra – it had to be a groovy Adele number like Daydreamer.

I realized if you can pair your songs/music with the right beverage, it kind of ties all the loose ends.

  • In the mood for some No woman no cry ? Well, I have realized anything to do with Bob Marley and it goes very well with Red Bull
  • Are you listening to upbeat Asha Bhonsle numbers? Grab a bottle of Merlot and groove to her tunes
  • Nostalgic with Whitney Houston numbers – pour some vodka over ice and enjoy the evening
  • Pour some Gin, top it with some tonic and garnish with a nice slice of cucumber and sing along with Jagjit Singh
  • Attending a party and listening to Shakira? Pour some Champagne, add a dash of Galliano and top it with orange juice (yes, it tastes good!)
  • Feel like a beer? Groove to Carrie Underwood songs
  • Winters are in full swing and Bon Jovi is belting out his numbers – grab some brandy, add some Cointreau and a dash of lime

I tried few other disastrous pairings also  but you need to try for yourself and see what works best for you.  Of course, there is no science to this – it is more about what you like, your favorite beverages, music and your mood! But one thing is for sure, this unusual music – beverage pairing has an interesting and fascinating aspect to it!

 

My Adventurous with “Bharatnatyam”

“Bharatnatyam is a means of spiritual elevation both for the dancer and the audience”

So in my quest to twirl and twist, I started pursuing my Bharatanatyam dance classes as a kid. It started as a constructive utilization of time but soon went on to become much more than that – it became my ardent passion. As kids all of us are asking this rhetorical question – what do you want to become when you grow up? My friends used to say doctor, engineer, police man, pilot and the like. Guess what I said – I want to become a dancer!

Well, that didn’t exactly work out (who ever said all your childhood dreams come true???) but dancing has remained my first love – Zumba on a J-LO number or Tapping on an Irish Tune – dancing is fun and full filling.

So, back to my first love – Bharatanatyam – It originated in the Southern State of Tamil Nadu, India. It started as a temple dance where the dancers used to offer their prayers to God and Gidessess. “Abhinaya” meaning emotions and expressions are a vital part of the dance form. It is a perfect blend of body movements and expressions. There are 108 key poses and numerous “Mudras” ( hand gestures for communication) through which the dancer gracefully unfolds a dramatic saga!

It is dramatic, satirical and larger than life but delivers just one humble message – Love and Respect. Pursuing this form of performing arts does not just give joy and happiness to a person but inculcates the most basic yet priceless values of love, humility, expressing yourselves and respecting others.

My mom thought I was learning the dance, which was true, but those hours spent in the dance school taught me a lot about life, emotions and feelings!