Gerald D'Cunha

“Cloudy skies are rolling in And not a friend around to help me From all the places I have been And I feel like going home” -        From the song ‘Lord, I Feel Like Going Home’ Lyrics by Charlie Rich I am very, very fond of Mark Knopfler’s and Tom Jones’s music. I can plug my ears and get lost in their music and songs for eternity… And, during these difficult times, that’s been one of the things I have been doing quite repeatedly. For last one week or so, I wanted to share in my blog an amazing stage performance together – a very rare and special - by these two legends. Somehow, I kept delaying it, even though I kept playing it many times during this week. Finally, today, I am unable to hold it back, any more… So, here it is… ‘Lord, I Feel Like Going Home’! E ver since I learnt about the tragedy on the railway tracks in Aurangabad, I have been wanting to write something on it, but have not been. Sadness...

Y ou do not have to be loud! In our drawing room, my wife was watching, on her tab, the landing of Chandrayana-2, while I was fast asleep in our bedroom. But, as a strange coincidence, I woke up and realized, that it was around 2.30 of the morning! My sleep was over… My wife went to have some more! I did not watch the historic moon-landing… I will watch it on YouTube… But, then, I was watching a very beautiful video of Mark Knopfler’s song – ‘Wherever I go’… This guitar legend never ceases to fascinate me. In my 61 years, I haven’t held a guitar in my hand, and I don’t think, I will, in rest of my years. I haven’t been for any rock or mega musical concert… But, I am very fond of good music. I admire, and simply get inspired by, all musicians who have given their all for their craft… Mark Knopfler’s music is very subtle, least flashy… like the man himself. And, I love that! We all have our respective talents. But, Sir, let’s not try to be fl...

I have been very fond of Mark Knopfler’s music. Among his many amazing creations, there was one I would listen to and soak in over and again - ‘The Long Road’. This piece was, like Knopfler’s songs and music are, very evocative and therapeutic. I had, always, come out refreshed and healed… So powerful and hypnotizing it had been! After a long time, I happened to come across an amazingly captivating video featuring ‘The Long Road’ (instrumental). In this video, I was overawed by the astounding beauty of God’s creation, which we simply take for granted. This video and Knopfler’s music compelled me think aloud: Is life so complicated as it is made out to be? Are ‘big things’ really needed to feel the happiness in our bosoms? Are not childhood, friendship, love, intimacy, forgiveness, even the so-called ‘success’ – yes, are these not all ‘simple things’ with tremendous impact on our lives?” A couple of days’ ago, I found myself on the r...