Rodevra Republic

A moment of greatness, met with quiet composure Here is a rare video of Sir Garfield Sobers hitting six sixes in an over. What strikes one immediately is his composure. There are no exaggerated celebrations, no theatrics — just a quiet acknowledgment of what has been achieved. At one point, there is even a casual exchange with the wicketkeeper, as if this were just another passage of play. One cannot help but spare a thought for Malcolm Nash, the bowler. He had shifted from medium pace to spin, inspired by the success of Derek Underwood at the time. After this over, it is said he never bowled spin again. Another interesting aspect is the commentary. It carries that unmistakable old-world British tone — phrases like “goodness gracious me” and “my goodness gracious” come through naturally. There is no excess, no attempt at embellishment. The commentator simply describes what is unfolding, leaving the viewer to absorb and interpret. That, perhaps, is what good commentary does. The mat...

Kailash Kher — a voice that carries both pain and resilience Here is the song “Toota Toota Ek Parinda” , sung by Kailash Kher. I would hesitate to translate it. The song carries a deep philosophical undercurrent, and each listener may arrive at a meaning that is personal, perhaps even sacred. The song was written by Vishal Dadlani — singer, composer, and lyricist. It is rich in spiritual metaphor, and at its core carries a quiet message of resilience — of not giving up in the face of adversity. Kailash Kher, of course, needs little introduction. Born in 1973, he went through a period of intense personal struggle, even reaching a point of deep despair. This song is often seen as a turning point in his life. It is not difficult to see why — the words seem to carry a force that goes beyond mere expression. His raw, unpolished voice lends the song a rare authenticity. There is a directness in the way he sings, as if the experience behind the words is not distant, but lived. These lines, in...

Bulleh Shah (1680–1757), the Punjabi Sufi poet whose verses question identity and the nature of the self One of the first steps in learning is unlearning . For a life of continuous learning, as Sir suggests, one must first empty oneself of pretenses and prejudices. Only then does the ground become ready for real learning. In this context, I am reminded of a beautiful Sufi song written by Bulleh Shah , the 17th century Sufi poet from Punjab. The poem is written in the second person, and therefore reads as if Bulleh Shah is addressing himself: “Bulleya, I know not who I am.” The song “Bulleya Ki Jaana” is sung by Rabbi Shergill. In spirit, it reflects something similar to the neti-neti approach in Indian philosophy — the path of negation. By denying every identity and label, one gradually strips away false notions of the self, until only the pure awareness of one's true nature remains. / Below is a translation of the song: Bulleya, I know not who I am. Neither am I a believer i...