Dr. Salil Latay: January 2024

30 January 2024

30 Jan 2024 - MGOL - Vallabh - India's first Bi-Current Rail Locomotive.

30 Jan...Another important day for all Rail Fans in Western India including me.

52 years ago, on 30 January 1972, India’s first Bi-current (AC & DC) Electric Locomotive WCAM 1 No. 21800 rolled out of the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works CLW, Chittaranjan (Asansol – Bengal), started its service on the Mumbai – Ahmedabad Route (Better known as Virar – Sabarmati Main Line) of the Western Railway.

It was named Vallabh – honouring the First Deputy PM of India and the man behind the unified India of today – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This locomotive and its variants powered the Mumbai Ahmedabad route from March 1973 until 2015. 54 locomotives were built in this class and all belonged to the Valsad Loco Shed (Station Code - BL) in Gujarat. I, a visitor to Gujarat since childhood – visiting my relatives and then for the full duration of my University education (I was educated at the prestigious The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara) - This locomotive was always the part of my growing up with so many memories. I was fortunate to travel in many trains hauled by Vallabh.

Not many good photos and videos exist of this corporate looking locomotive. I don’t know why - but this loco design always reminded me of a corporate executive with a Tie.

Vallabh hauling Ahmedabad - Pune Ahinsa Express – entering Pune.

Vallabh – The perfect corporate executive look and feel – well groomed and mannered!

Tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel from Indian Railways

Vallabh on duty with Pune - Indore Express passing through Kelve Road (near Palghar, 78 Kms north of Mumbai Central) on a rainy night. Video by Arzan Kotwal.

Note the typical announcement in the Mumbai Suburban Train System right at the start of the video - Platform 2 Se Tej Gadi Pass Ho Rahi Hain. Krupaya Line Se Door Rahiye! (Tr. A high speed train passing through line on platform 2. Please Keep off the tracks!)

A Good Bye Video of Vallabh captured by Arzan Kotwal on the last day its duty – 06 March 2012 hauling the Borivali – Dahanu Passenger between Vaitarna and Saphale Station in Palghar District, North of Mumbai on the Mumbai Ahmedabad Main Line.

- Dr. Salil Latay

Pune, India

30 January 2024, Tuesday

First published in 2022...now a re run.

Images and Videos used from the Internet. All rights and credits belong to the respective owners and creators. I or this blog site do not claim any right, ownership or credit on the material used here in this post. I - Dr. Salil Latay sincerely appreciate and thank everyone associated with the material used here.

29 January 2024

26 Jan 2024 - Concert - Hyderabad

Dr. Salil Latay - In Concert - Sukoon Bhare Nagme

Thank You so much for this wonderful opportunity at Hyderabad.
(L to R) Ms. Mamta Reddy, Dr. Salil Latay, Prof. Rajeshwar Upadhyaya.

Here is the Video of the Photo Report of the same on my YouTube Channel
Click the link below
Photo Report Video 26 Jan 2024 Hyderabad

Please Don't forget to visit the updated - The Journey So Far...
Just Click the link below...
Updated....The Journey So Far...

- Dr. Salil Latay
Pune, India
29 January 2024, Monday

27 January 2024

27 Jan 2024 - MGOL - Wolfgang Mozart - Birthday

When God decided to compose music, he created WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART.

Remembering the best Composer ever to grace the 12 notes - on his Birth Anniversary today - 27 January. Full name - Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart. Better known as Mozart (Austria. b. 27 January 1756 d. 5 December 1791)

Wolfgang Mozart

Born in Salzburg Austria, Mozart in his brief life of just 35 years composed more than 800 works with his first composition by 4 and a full Symphony at the age of 6. His works are regarded as the best in the history of mankind spanning symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic and choral music. He was also an acclaimed pianist apart from being the greatest Composer and Conductor.

I am indeed blessed to have heard his music for the first time at the age of 3 and his music became an integral part of my life ever since and has made a deep impact on my ideologies towards the understanding and creation of music.

My Concept of Vocal Sonata is inspired by him. Thank You Sir!

His most famous picture. A painting in 1781 by Austrian Painter Johann Nepomuk della Croce

The Mozart House - 9, Getreidegasse, Salzburg, Austria.
Wolfgang Mozart was born on the third floor and lived here until 1773

What was Mozart’s music like?

A contemporary of Mozart – Composer Antonio Salieri explains this in a film – Amadeus (1984) directed by Milos Forman – a film based on a purely fictional relation written first by Alexander Pushkin in 1830 as a Russian Play and then a British musical play in 1979 by Peter Shaffer adapted for the screen for this film - about the jealousy and hatred of Salieri towards Mozart and the personal life of Mozart. This however is purely fictional and far from the truth according to Scholars and Researchers who have the proofs of a very cordial relation between the two.

Though the description of the music by Mozart is the best one can get, I for one just don’t want to believe a word about the film’s story line. As for the direction and especially the acting by the actor who played Antonio Salieri – F. Murray Abraham rightfully won an Oscar for his class act!

Here is the script text about – Mozart’s music described by Salieri. Superb screenplay by Peter Shaffer.

"On the page, it looked nothing. The beginning simple, almost comic. Just a pulse. Bassoons, Basset Horns. Like a rusty squeezebox.

And then, suddenly, high above it. An Oboe. A single note hanging there unwavering, until a Clarinet took it over. Sweetened it into a phrase of such delight.

This was no composition by a performing monkey; this was a music I've never heard.

Filled with such longing, such unfulfillable longing. It seemed to me that I was hearing the voice of God.

But why? Why would God choose such an obscene child to be his instrument?

It's not to be believed. This piece had to be an accident. It had to be. It better be." - Antonio Salieri.

How did Mozart compose?

Again using the reference of the same film Amadeus (1984) – A 35 year old Mozart is dying alone...with his family away. Salieri has supposedly poisoned him and is around to make sure that Mozart is dead. (This by the way is not how Mozart actually died, so i don’t want to believe this film scene too) But am sharing it here to drive home a different and much more important point.

Mozart – on his deathbed creates his last composition – long overdue for a patron who has already paid him advance. It’s a funeral mass called Requiem.

The first 38 seconds...Mozart discusses the meaning of the lyrics and the concept – Confutatis – eternal flames. The composing starts at 40 seconds....Look at the genius of Mozart, his composing in various layers of music for a piece- multi track composing 231 years ago...that too in the head - the various elements of scale, time of speed, rhythm beats, various types of voices – tenors, altos, sopranos, bases. Various instruments plus the Harmony, Countermelody, Obliques, Arpeggios – all technical terms in composing and creating the orchestra for any music. The best part is every time he reads – he can hear the music even as if playing in real time and even as it gets more and more complicated – there is a method in his madness of creation – Simply out of the world! Salieri’s bewildered looks every now and then in total disbelief is the perfect testament to that.

The best part of the scene....putting it all together at 5.00 min mark in the video timeline till the end....Mozart remembering his life, his wife and his son as he dies.....pure magic – the voice of God – conducted and recorded for this film by the famous Sir Neville Marriner and his world famous Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Orchestra (UK). This is exactly how it would have sounded even in the day of Mozart. The film won the Oscar for the best film and direction in 1985. (10 nominations across categories and 8 won)

PLEASE CLICK THE SUB TITLE OPTION IN THE VIDEO BELOW – ENGLISH TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING.

His best known music piece

I bet you have heard this somewhere – in some form or the other – The First Part or Movement called Molto Allegro - of his best known Symphony - No. 40. The whole symphony is – The story of life – This first part sums it up in less than 8 minutes. No composer could and will ever come even remotely close to this – Period! (American way of saying – that’s it. Nothing more to add) Played here by Mozart Kammerphilharmonie Orchestra from Romania, Conducted by Christian Badea. The full symphony is in 4 parts.

Mozart composed this masterpiece in July 1788 at the age of 32 immediately after the death of his infant daughter and is said to have got this tune on his way back from the graveyard. So its the story of life – One can clearly hear the argument with the supreme creator. I am speechless every time I hear it.

Till recent time- In many parts of Europe, if you purchased a Tape Recorder, Cassette Player or a CD Player – the salesman would play this piece for you and if it sounded all right. The verdict would be – This is good electronic device you are purchasing! That is the power of his creation!

P.S – I was little over 3 when I heard it for the first time. Imagine the impact it can have at that age. I am still in heaven of music till this day!

Music – A direct connection hotline with the Supreme Creator. This 9 minute piece is the second of a 3 part composition by Mozart called the Concerto for the Flute, Harp and Orchestra K 299 composed in Paris April 1778 at the age of 22.

Mozart’s legacy has stood the test of time. See this video. The Flute is played by a 17 year old Anna Komarova and the Harp by a 9 year old kid named Alisa Sadikova (Both Russian) at the concert of the Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory Music School, St. Petersburg, Russia. The Conductor of this performance - all musicians in their teens - is Arkady Steinlucht. What maturity and passion in the players! What beauty and sweetness in the composition! Remember the words of Salieri in the first video of this article. That's Wolfgang Mozart – The Voice of God.

Mozart's statue in Vienna (Austria)

Mhaaro Prannaam (My Salutations) to the most important Musical Guru of my life!

- Dr. Salil Latay

Pune, India

27 January 2024, Saturday

First published in 2022...now a re run.

24 January 2024

21 Jan 2024 - Concert - Pune

Sukoon @ 10 AM. Dr. Salil Latay - In Concert - Sukoon Bhare Nagme

A Concert of Sukoon or Serenity on a Sunday morning? Why not? I have always followed the principle of Thinking Out of the Box for finding ways to take my Mission of Melody to the right audience. One such idea is - a Concert on a Sunday morning followed by sumptuous food. This idea was presented for the second time on 21 January 2024 for my Mission of Melody with Vocal Sonata. The first presentation was on 29 October 2023. Vaibhav Paliwal of Nukkad Cafe, Aundh - Pune once again supported this concept and what resulted was the overwhelming response beyond our expectations.

A heritage setting at the Nukkad Cafe premises with possibly the best audience for the choice of songs presented – each one top notch in his/her game of life – The yummy snack after the concert stole the Man of the Match award once again!

Thank You Vaibhav Paliwal of Nukkad Cafe, Thank You to each one of the esteemed audience.

Here are the glimpses of the eventful Sunday morning.

The wonderful audience

Sukoon Bhi...Swaad Bhi...

A review of the event and what I do, by a member of the audience. Written in Marathi and shared here from her facebook wall. Thank You so much Ms. Dhanashree Bedekar for your kind words.
Ms. Bedekar is a Communication Consultant and heads her organisation Beej Communication Consultancy in Pune

Thank You Mr. Vaibhav Paliwal for this one more wonderful opportunity.

Here is the Video of the Photo Report of the same on my YouTube Channel
Click the link below

Photo Report Video 21 Jan 2024 Pune

Please Don't forget to visit the updated - The Journey So Far...

Just Click the link below...

Updated....The Journey So Far...

- Dr. Salil Latay

Pune, India

24 January 2024, Wednesday

23 January 2024

23 Jan 2024 - MGOL - World Handwriting Day

23 January - World Handwriting Day – a day to highlight the importance of writing in long hand, specifically using a fountain pen on paper to explore and reaffirm the joy of writing by hand.

The day is in remembrance of the birthday of John Hancock – the first person to sign the famous American Declaration of Independence – a day earlier celebrated only in the USA – now a worldwide phenomenon.

John Hancock - known for his stylish handwriting and large signature

(One of the American Founding Fathers. Governor of the state of Massachusetts.
b. 23 January 1737 d. 08 October 1793)

I, all my life have thrilling memories of putting my thoughts on paper using a fountain pen. I was a regular writer – only for myself – during my academic education and my corporate job days – a practice that slowly diminished once I got into music – full time, thus destroying my handwriting completely – a only glimpse in the first photo on the top, written today – showing – what has remained of what used to be much much better than this!

This Handwriting Day – I redeem my pledge to write regularly again and urge everyone to explore this almost meditative experience. The creation and writing for this blog site is a step towards that.

Today, I also salute the person with the best ever handwriting I have seen in my life, who is still going strong. How I wish I could master even 10% of his skills. His handwriting is typically non conformist – he makes and lives by his own rules – a trait, that genetically got into me too. I salute my father – Jagadishdatta Latay.

The man with the best handwriting - I have ever seen in my life - my father - Jagadishdatta Latay.

Hats Off to you Dada! Whatever appreciation I get for my handwriting - all credit goes to you!

His is a ‘Handwriting’, a conveniently confused notion being good handwriting = calligraphy or writing calligraphy style. So one may mostly hear all around – only calligraphers have a good handwriting. No Sir/Madam!!! – Handwriting and Calligraphy are two separate things. You write a sheet of paper in less than 3 minutes – that is your real everyday handwriting! So here is a salute to the best handwriting that I ever saw in my life and continues to be a benchmark of best handwriting.

A song lyrics from the immortal Sound of Music - written in his music book.

A song lyrics in the Devanaagari script - the script used in Sanskrit - from which is derived my mother tongue - Marathi - a famous song by Shahir Honaji Balla - written in his music book by my father Jagadishdatta Latay.

This one is in Bangla, Devnaagari & Roman Bangla
- a song from Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's Geetanjali.

Happy World Handwriting Day to you... May you enjoy and continue to write in long hand and put your thoughts on paper – in a world where typing, tapping, emojis and emoticons are becoming the norm.

- Dr. Salil Latay

Pune, India

23 January 2024, Tuesday

First published in 2022...now a re run.

Image used from the Internet. All rights and credits belong to the respective owners and creators. I or this blog site do not claim any right, ownership or credit on the material used here in this post. I - Dr. Salil Latay sincerely appreciate and thank everyone associated with the material used here.

18 January 2024

18 Jan 2024 - MGOL - Oliver Hardy - Birthday

Remembering one of my most favourite characters – Both onscreen and off-screen. One of my many Gurus who have taught me to face life – Always with a big smile and head held high whatever the going – good or bad – with one saying to life straight on its face - “Well? That’s another fine mess you’ve got me into” (His famous catch line from most of his movies) OLIVER NORVELL HARDY better known as ‘Ollie’, Mr. Hardy and ‘Babe’ of the Stan Laurel and Ollie Hardy Duo. Active career from 1927 - 1955. His Birth Anniversary today 18 January.

Oliver Norwell Hardy (USA) (b. 18 January 1892 d. 07 August 1957)

Thank you Sir for making my life so happy just by being there! I wish I too could laugh at all my troubles just as the way you always did!

Laurel and Hardy - With their autographs!!!

Statue of Laurel and Hardy at Ulverston (Cumbria - United Kingdom) - the birth place of Stanley Laurel.
Also seen is their dog - a co star in many of their films

The face full of life!

A Film Tribute - What ideas and concepts, what frames, what expressions, what acting, what coordination....too good...No words to describe. Hats Off...Every scene and film - a masterpiece.

This is real comedy. Watch every move very carefully and sit tight! A scene from Oliver - The Eight 1934

A hilarious situation from the film - Their First Mistake 1932

Now this is something not many would know...Apart from being a great actor, Ollie was a very talented singer. Stanley Laurel – who created most of the movies at the story, scene and editing level, created special scenes to display this talent of Ollie, aptly complimented by Stan’s dance. What great creativity, timing and expressions in this song from the film Flying Deuces 1939. Simply amazing!

The original film in Black and White digitally coloured later

- Dr. Salil Latay

Pune, India

18 January 2024, Thursday

First published in 2022...now a re run.

16 January 2024

16 Jan 2024 - MGOL - O P Nayyar - Birthday

Remembering the Legendary Composer Omkar Prasad Nayyar (Better known as OP, O P Nayyar or Nayyar Sahab) on his Birth Anniversary today - 16 January. (O P Nayyar. b. 16 January 1926 d. 28 January 2007)

O P Nayyar was one of the top composers of the first golden period of Hindi Film Music with his active career from 1951 to 1974 and then a second innings until 1994. Total focus on a melody oriented tune along with his unique orchestration of rhythm (Most famous for his Horse Beat drums along with various Side Percussion Instruments in most songs and Dholak in others) was the specialty of this hard task master composer.

With Mohd. Rafi and Geeta Dutt - Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein (CID 1956)

With Mohd. Rafi and Asha Bhosle - Deewana Hua Badal (Kashmir Ki Kali 1964) Also seen is Lyricist S H Bihari

A Music Tribute to one more of my Gurus.

Jayiye Aap Kahan Jayenge by Asha Bhosle - Mere Sanam 1965

Thandi Hawa Kali Ghata by Geeta Dutt - Mr. & Mrs. 55 1955

Deewana Hua Badal by Mohd. Rafi and Asha Bhosle - Kashmir Ki Kali 1964

My Tribute to the Legend by his composition for the film Kismat 1968

- Dr. Salil Latay

Pune, India

16 January 2024, Tuesday

First published in 2022...now a re run.

15 January 2024

13 January 2024 - Concert - Pune

Dr. Salil Latay - In Concert - Sukoon Bhare Nagme

One more musical destination with Sukoon passed – 13 Jan 2024. Wireless Colony in Aundh area of Pune. Thanks to Mr. Nilesh Dixit and Mr. Arun Bhapkar, who organised a wonderful event with a very vibrant audience. The songs were appreciated by one and all and the usefulness of this unique format of Vocal Sonata was clearly visible. The photos speak it all.

Here are the glimpses of the event.