7 Reasons why 2012 was so smashingly good for me

And why was 2012 so smashing good?

1. I have completed 2 years in post-revolution Egypt.  Surprisingly, the 2nd year has been even tougher than the first. This year I discovered hidden strengths which I never realised existed. I have developed such a steely resolve now that apparently the steel is even reflected in my hair.
2. I read Ben Graham's "Security Analysis" cover to cover - twice.  Visitors to my house thought my reading of this book was connected to the security situation in Egypt.
3. I had the opportunity to visit several police stations in Cairo. It is rumoured now that policemen spring to their feet and salute me and speak in hushed tones when I pass them on the street
4. I had a quarrel with the "Pehla" cable TV chaps over subscription rates and they disconnected my cable.  So now-a-days I come home, switch on the TV and watch a black screen - I find that even more entertaining 
5. I thought I will give myself a break from my own bachelor cooking and ate out at the recently opened Indian restaurant in my neighbourhood - and then I realised how much I missed my own cooking 
6. I play so much of the harmonium now that the neighbours checked with my maid whether I was banished from my country because of my music.  They no longer come to borrow sugar.
7. I won the bet with my Egyptian driver on who will win the Egyptian Presidential Elections. 

And there has to be an 8th reason (7 sounded so much better for the title)

8.      I finally learnt and have started using the Arabic for "Today" - otherwise the only word I knew and heard was "Bukrah" (tomorrow)

I have a feeling next year is going to be even better!

A Dummy's Guide to Hindustani Ragas

I have now given up trying to learn more and more Ragas - it is like an ocean, and if I try to learn more and more Ragas my knowledge on Music will always remain shallow.  So now I have decided to focus on some of the more commonly used Ragas, and dive deeper into it.

The result - I have uploaded on YouTube a video series in which I discuss a dozen ragas which are commonly used to compose Bhajans and Abhangs. 

Now you may ask why an amateur half-baked harmonium player like me is attempting to do the equivalent of a Dummy's Guide to Hindustani music - when there are millions of professional musicians out there who are queuing up and jostling to teach you the fundamentals of music.

The reason is simple - I always believe that it is simpler for a layman to understand an amateur than understand a Professional.  This is an undisputed fact. Amateurs tend to focus on the key themes (because they don't know the complicated detail), and they also deliver it in simple layman's terms. And amateurs only share - they don't teach.  So there!

Here is part 1 of the 5 part series which I have labelled as the "Essential Raagas" - the rest of the series is also up on my channel on YouTube.

And I will be a very happy and content person indeed if even one layman feels that she can now recognise at least one Raag after watching this video.

And as usual feedback and brickbats are welcome.