Amusing Jugalbandi

Every morning, Arora-sah’b (right) has to deal with recalcitrant members who get into verbal jousts for no particular reason. Much of it is in good humour, unprovoked and spontaneous. These exchanges help in breaking the monotony of the exercises and enlivening the atmosphere in the Garden.
Today, Arora-sah’b had to face virtual warfare, but of an amusing kind. At one end was his good old music system, set upon playing yesteryear film hits. At the other end was Kishor-bhai’s little wonder, straining out of his pocket to play an assortment of chartbusters, old and new. In this crossfire was our Arora-sah’b trying to focus on conducting the exercises.
Initially, it was fun. You simply switched attention from one music source to another (and back), depending upon your preference. At times when two good songs played together from opposite ends, you kept both ears open, trying to make sense of the audio mix. But after some time this was getting quite stressful since you had to hear, say Kishore Kumar drawling Mera jeevan kora kaagaz… with one ear and Manna De screaming Laga chunari mein daag… with another ear.
And when the two players – the music system and the handset – both started belting out Kishore Kumar numbers with equal gusto, it was hard not to go mad!
At one such point, Arora-sah’b strode up to his trusted player and turned up its volume. This only raised the level of competition as Kishor-bhai’s handset went full blast with a medley of fast, catchy numbers. Adding to this cacophony were our periodic guffaws and outbursts of Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha…
Ultimately, Harish Wadhwa was to bail us out. For a while, he tried in vain to catch “Renu-bhabi’s” attention, hoping she would signal her husband to lower the volume of his hand-set – better still, switch it off. Then he turned to Bhaswati. Kishor-bhai, who was till then lost to this world, suddenly noticed the many hands waving at him. With a broad grin, he switched off his handset.
Only thereafter did peace prevail.

Harish Wadhwa says:
1. Listening to Kishore Kumar's sad numbers is any time preferred. I wanted Renu Bhabi-ji (the "key" to Kishor-bhai's heart) to request him to put the mobile song off.
2. It was nice to see Shekhawat-ji doing the Ankhiyon Se Goli Marey song when prompted to do the Slow-'n'-Fast exercise No 2 of Laughing today. One could also see the cheer of his dance with Bapu Rane-ji today. Wow!
3. Today's Guru Gyan is apt for Kishor-bhai himself. There is no doubt that the day dawns to see Kishor-bhai mand mand muskaan -- also visible in his picture.
4. Did I hear somebody yell 'saambhar' (of idli-vada fame)instead of 'shambhar' (Marathi translation of 100) when the clapping exercise count struck 100? The guilty needs to treat us to saambhar-vada then, as a penalty!
--Harish

Renu Babani says:
1. Yes, today was Disco Morning at the Garden. I was actually wondering why were two music systems on and just figured that one would just decide to switch off his player/phone. However, I guess they were both determined to confuse everyone. Actually the exercise session went really well and everyone was rather disciplined. So, perhaps the 'jugalbandi' didn't really have any effect on that. As long as no hard feelings and everyone had a good time... that is what is important. The morning ended well, with Santosh-ji's jokes and everyone parted ways.
2. Don't you think just some pleasant songs are better than sad songs during the morning, Mr Harish? By the way, I am definitely not the 'key' to Dilip-bhai's heart!
--Renu

Srichand Arora says:
Hey Harish-ji! You described Renu-ji as the "key of Dilip's heart", whereas she is the key to Kishor's. Correct it. I also agree with Renu. Sometimes you love to listen to latest songs, as against old ones. All depends upon the company and surroundings. So remember Munni Badnaam Hui and forget Badnaam Hai Koi.
--Arora

Harish Wadhwa adds:
1. Arora-saab, you are right. Since the last few days my ears are yearning to hear "Mein hoon Sheila, Sheila ki jawaani" and of course, "Munni Badnaam hui, Darling tere liye..."
2. Dear Renu-ji, Did I write "the key to Dilip- bhai's heart" instead of Kishor-bhai? Sorry for the error, but the blog writes it correct (Thanks Blog Monster!) The reality is that women in general have the power and key to anyone's heart. Bas aana chahiye (on a lighter note please!)
--Harish