RIP Shyam Bhai

Shyam Venkatramani also known as Shyam Sunder or as I fondly called him, Shyam bhai when I knew him in 2012-13 during my volunteer days at Aurobindo Ashram at South Delhi. A master Mridangam player, amazing on Harmonium and gifted vocals he had. This morning while browsing through my Facebook friends, the infamous “Remembering” tag…

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra 2016 – The Beginning

A beginning of exhilarating, informative and adventurous series of write up on Kailash Manasarovar Yatra (250+ kms trek on foot) lasting 3 weeks – that my wife, Varuna undertook last year in July. I’m sharing it verbatim from her website. The original article is at her blog: http://vagrantspaces.blogspot.in/2017/02/kailash-manasarovar-yatra-2016-beginning.html And here we go… PART 1 This is a…

Noorie

I wrote this short story in 2004 in my cramped yet cozy apartment in Lansing (US) during my student days. My notepad and my pen used to be my only companions those days (before Guitar joined up!) The plot is based in the Kashmir valley. My father was kind enough to offer his editing advice. …

You’re the Pianoman!

Inspired by Billy Joel’s song “Pianoman” – I tried to recreate the scene and focus only on the old man while taking out the other elements of the original song. I wrote this (revival) version last Summer in Sitla Village, Uttarakhand and finally gave it a shot on my Acoustic Guitar and Harmonica yesterday (Saturday!)….

Year is 2002

Changed strings on my beat up Steel Guitar today and went on a long long Journey while trying to sing this song. My final recording for a while before my next project. An old buddy Justin introduced this song (by Bob Schneider) to me back in 2006, and the song hit me today and I…