Manna Dey….

 

Prabodh Chandra Dey (1 May 1919 − 24 October 2013), known by his stage name Manna Dey, was an Indian playback singer. He debuted in the film Tamanna in 1942, and went on to record more than 4000 songs during 1942-2013. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 1971, the Padma Bhushan in 2005 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2007.

He sang mainly in Hindi and Bengali; he also recorded songs in several other Indian languages. His peak period in Hindi playback singing is from 1953-1976.

Out of his  many memorable songs, Madhushala was one of the best of them…Ae Mere Pyare watan song from film Kabuliwala touched everyone !!

Madhushala by Manna Dey

THE FINAL INSPECTION..

 

THE FINAL INSPECTION

The soldier stood and faced God,
which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I isn’t.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'

Part II

I'm very saddened by America today,
when they take credit for what others say.
I wrote a poem because of problems in my past,
how was I to know that it was going to last.

It has been read by all and loved the same,
but indeed at the end there is no name.
The name is simple for those who know,
it's not Kilmer, Longfellow, Service, or Poe.

It's a soldier who has fought for his country so true,
He's proud of the ole Red, White and Blue.
You now know the poem the one and the same,
The Final Inspection is the name.

I wrote it because of the trials so true,
and of my buddies who died for country and you.
So take this poem, take it as you trod,
because in Heaven I'll see my God.

He will look at me and say don't be sad,
others read your poem and you made them glad.
Now step forward my son and look your best,
and come inside with all the rest.

-  Sgt.  Joshua Helterbran

I cannot remember my mother…

 

 

 

I CANNOT remember my mother,

only sometime in the midst of my play

a tune seems to hover over my playthings,

the tune of some song that she used to hum while rocking my cradle.

I cannot remember my mother,

but when in the early autumn morning

the smell of the shiuli flowers floats in the air,

the scent of the morning service in the temple comes to me as the

scent of my mother.

I cannot remember my mother,

only when from my bedroom window I send my eyes into the blue of

the distant sky,

I feel that the stillness of my mother's gaze on my face

has spread all over the sky.

Into the Wild..Memorable shots and quotes

 

 

 

 

Into the wild…