WHEN SOUL IS ON FIRE



“The most powerful weapon on earth

is the human soul on fire.”

Ferdinand Foch



We keep talking about being passionate about the things we do in life. Like, when we meet someone after decades, and if he/she keeps still talking to us equally, or even more animated – possessed and consumed – manner, well, we can convincingly say, that the person is passionate about the thing he/she is talking about.

Passion is blood-red... Once it sets in, it goes very deep into our soul. It’s, as Ferdinand Foch said, ‘the soul on fire’... Some say, it’s a kind of obsession, and many others say, it’s a kind of insanity, madness...

Well, it’s a good madness... A thousand times better than walking on this planet with no fire in our souls...

May, therefore, the souls continue to be on fire, like the burning bush of the Mount Horeb...




(Justin & Uday with Shankar Mahadevan)


Justin and Uday were my students when they were doing their T.Y. B. Com. They were least interested in studies... Their interest lay buried in making, arranging and breathing music. Anything and everything about music caught their imagination.

You see, dreams don’t cost any money. But, to execute even a small dream, often, one hears, “Hello, show me the money.”

I remember these two insane young kids starting off from our Gorai Beach picnic spot... They would carry to this place a big speaker and a couple of mikes... From there, they slowly but steadily graduated to stage shows for their teacher (Gerry Fans Club)... and, later, massive inaugural and anniversary shows for The Dawn Club.  

I had seen their potential at their young age, and had believed in them. Zig Ziglar says this about passion:

“When you catch a glimpse of your potential,

that’s when the passion is born.”

Justin and Uday did only that – music – in their life. I know, it has never been easy for them to stay committed to their passion. But, they took the risk, they took the proverbial leap of faith... and, they are doing music at their Bandra (Carter Road) studio, big time...

But, Justin and Uday, let me vouch for them, will never forget where and how it all had begun for them!

On every 10th January, Justin would send me a message: “Sir, today was that day!”

On this 10th Jan, he messaged me, “Sir, today is 36th year!”

Neither the passion of Justin and Uday, nor their teacher’s, has dimmed even a bit since ‘that day’. On the contrary, the souls are even more consumed by ‘fire’...

Long burn that fire!

On 10th January, 1989, when Justin and Uday had organized their ‘Gerry Fans Club’ orchestra, they had played their favourite song - ‘The Final Count Down’ (Europe). Though my exposure to rock music was limited, this one stayed permanently etched in my mind to keep giving me goosebumps... What a song, what a music, what an anthem!

I, often, play this song – loud, with earphones/headphones (not good for the brain, I know!). But, for this timeless anthem, I make an exception...

Early this morning, I was immersed in this classic, maybe the 100th time... and, mind you, to relish the song’s 30th year celebration... I see the band’s passion still burning!





And, then, I came across this young woman drummer’s crazy rendition:

 

 



Ferdinand Foch was right when he said this:

“The most powerful weapon on earth

is the human soul on fire.”

 

GERALD D’CUNHA

Pic’s: 1. www.youtube.com   2. Justin-Uday Duo

Videoes: 1/ EAUROPE/earMUSIC  2. Drummer Ami Kim

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