On August 4, 2021, the Euphonious Club of St Mary’s college organized a music fest to celebrate the 92nd birth anniversary of the legendary singer, Shri Kishore Kumar.
The program started with an open mike invite. I hesitatingly went up on the stage to sing one of my most favorite songs of Shri Kishore Kumar, Tere bina zindagi se koyi shikwa to nahin shikwa nahi.
When I finished my performance, to my great surprise, there was a huge applause and a lot of appreciation from the audience, which was much more than I expected. This made me nostalgic and reminded me of some good old times, when I had participated and won prizes in few singing competitions held in my school days. I always dreamt and had the desire to perform on the stage again and again. Alas! it never happened after my school days.
Over the years, I have limited myself to just being a mere solo-hummer at home, even though, deep down in my heart, there is immense passion for music and that desire to sing on a stage. I never thought of doing something to hone my skills to sing in public. But last Wednesday, after a long time, I was able to perform on the stage thanks to a few who motivated me to do so.
I am sure this experience is not unique to me. There probably are so many out there who are extremely talented but have fear and are reluctant to perform in the open. Why do we get nervous? Why is it that we don’t seize the opportunity to exhibit our talents?
The answer is simple: It is just stage fear, anxiety about our performance and intimidating thoughts that arise when we imagine that something might go wrong. But, what can we do to overcome the same? Well, I think the answer to this lies hidden in plain sight in some of the golden and everlasting songs of Shri Kishore Kumar.
Ye Zindagi Gale Lagale
Firstly, we should be at ease with ourselves and start feeling comfortable about this journey of life. We must embrace all our strengths along with our weaknesses, and treat them with an equanimity of mind.
Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana-Yahan kal kya ho kisne jaana
Since nobody knows what will happen in future, live in the present moment with mindfulness and try not to worry too much about the years to come.
Zindagi ke safar men guzar jaate hain jo makaam Wo fir nahin aate, wo fir nahin aate
As the lyrics of the song truly say, in the journey of life, the events of the past can never repeat but will always remain a memory. So, let us accept life as it comes and develop a belief to trust our own skills and talent that each one of us are blessed with.
Mera jeevan kora kagaz kora hi reh gaya
This sad song represents the broken hopes and aspirations because, sometimes, in life we suffer for no fault of ours. May be the talent in some of us was not nurtured and kindled at the right time. It is time families encourage people around them to participate in extracurricular activities and not merely focus on academics.
Jeevan ke har mod pe miljayenge ham safar
In life some are fortunate and blessed to find their dream partners, but in this journey of life (Safar), all are not gifted with appropriate conditions of learning and getting trained in what they are inherently talented. Therefore, in such situations, instead of regretting the past or being anxious about the future, learn to just reboot yourself. With focus, practice whatever you are good at, because practice always makes a (wo)man perfect.
Jeevan se bhari teri aankhen majboor kare jeene ke liye, jeene ke liye
As the song says, let us fill our eyes with hope and life to live a fulfilling life. Let us bring out our hidden talents not only to brighten up our lives, but to get the much-needed dopamine and serotonin to keep ourselves cheerful.
In the end, let us not forget what that meaningful song with universal appeal reminds all of us about our lives: “Jeena Yahan, Marna Yaha, iske siwa jaana kahaan ……”
So, folks, grab every opportunity to come out in the open to exhibit whatever talents you possess. Get on the Stage!!!