Hum saath saath hain
Finding The Fun In Indian Family ‘Fun’ctions Where Drama Unfolds In Bounty
Twisha Prasad, XII I & Arushi Soni, XII B, AIS Noida
10% focus on the actual wedding + 90% utter chaos – that seems to be the recipe of every single Indian family function, where every naak maarne wali bua, every show-off cousin, every naagin dance karne wale mausaji, every high-fi NRI chachu, every rone wala chhota bacha, and many more get together for the ultimate celebration of either the trademarked Indian pagalpan or the actual function…we’ll let you decide.
Painstaking preparation
The early morning frenzy of family functions transforms the house into a chaotic battleground of freshly ironed clothes, cosmetics, sweets, gifts etc. With the youngest’s vision still clouded over, they gauge at the readings of the clock – 0600, all thanks to the father who believes that the journey from Noida to Delhi will surely cross time zones. “The function starts at 8 PM!” the child wants to yell, but can’t, seeing the mother’s dilemma of “Red or maroon?” and the father replying “Red,” as he gestures towards the maroon. With expired Nivea cream over his face, the father parts his hair before informing the family that they’re late.
Roaring road trip
The fight over who will sit where in the car starts when the long-lost mamaji makes a wild card entry, swiftly exercising implied dibs on the shotgun seat. One wanting to puke, the other already irritated with “meri dress pe mat baith!” the paltan departs for their destination, only to realise, “Oh! Take a U-turn. Hum Mithai ka dabba bul gaye hain. Khaali haath jana achha nahi lagta!”
Extravagant entrance
Punctuality? No, being fashionably late is always the plan for every Indian family. On cue, relatives rush to greet the newcomers with the mega-classic “Kitni badi ho gaye ho tum!” to the youngsters, somehow extending the conversation throughout the entire function with their constant, “Beta, zara paani/raita/kheer/UPSC mein marks leke aana!” However, when it is the kids’ turn to grab some for their own plate, the waiter shrugs and says, “Khatam ho gaya!”
Life-long love
Each member of the family climbs on the dance floor to unleash their inner Daya Bhabhi. The distant aunts materialise out of thin air with an arsenal of chit-chat. The wonders of family togetherness always ensure that solitude becomes elbow-to-elbow with zari ke dupatte and fake eyelashes. Too tired to move, the elders of the family sit and discuss the numerous medical blasphemies they have committed to stave off the inevitable hereditary diabetes, the Whatsapp University degrees really outshining the vestiges of common sense. As the day wanes and mattresses line the living room, the youngest sighs to themselves, “Agle maheene chacha ki shaadi hai.” The only solace of it all being the shagun ka lifafa.
Food for soul
Album Review
Album: Native
Artist: OneRepublic
Released on: March 22, 2013
Genre: Pop rock
Synopsis: With songs such as Counting Stars, Light It Up, Don’t Look Down and many more, One Republic’s Native explores themes of self-discovery and perseverance. Filled with anthemic pop tunes and powerful vocals, the album encourages listeners to chase their dreams and The lyrics of most of the songs highlight the challenges we face in our day to day life and at the same time offer hope.
For instance, the song Au Revoir navigates through difficulties in relationships while maintaining a positive outlook. Native showcases OneRepublic’s growth as a band, seamlessly blending catchy pop melodies with rock influences to create a dynamic and energetic sound. Overall, it illustrates the importance of being yourself wholeheartedly.
Why is it worth listening to: If you constantly crave catchy pop anthems with a deeper meaning, this album has the ability to take away your demoralised state and miraculously inspire you to do something revolutionary.
This album is more than just singalong hooks. Some tracks will have you reaching for your dreams, while others explore the complexities of love and loss. Musically, the album blends OneRepublic’s signature pop sound with rock influences, creating a fresh and dynamic listening experience.
Whether you want to sing your heart out to a motivational anthem or get lost in a heartfelt ballad, Native has the musical variety, the emotional depth, and the deep vocals for every one of us to croon to.
My favourite song is: Every song in this album holds a special place in my heart as they connect deeply with me but if I had to pick one song, it would be Counting Stars.
Rating: 4.5/5
Review by: Aditi Gupta
AIS Vas 1, XII B