Sing a song of sixpence

"I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide ?"
- Aladdin

It's always the simple things that make a difference. That's what I feel. I never really followed the Lead India show on Tv, though I admired it's concept of seeking out genuine good guys and bravehearts rather than the khadi clad leaders we have presently. But I always wonder - what small change can I bring about with my words and what is the easiest way to go about it ? What can I possibly say or do that would make some stranger's day better ?
Well, I'm sure there's a lot of possible answers in everyone's mind , ranging from social service ( done that, from orphanages to blindness camps to primary school checkups ) to adopting puppies ( done that.. those little heartbreakers had me at "hello" ) to a kind word of encouragement ( never a shortage of that ).

But there is something that has always made me wonder.. something that today I'd like you guys to ponder and try out.. just once. You see, it's based on our most widely viewed and influential medium.. movies. Bollywood to be exact. Whenever something 'different' is depicted, we have people rising up in arms saying it's blasphemous / anti-culture / anti-caste.. in short, a bad influence for an impressionable mind.
Well, my question is - how true can that be ? Because in all these years, I must have seen a gazillion songs in Bollywood movies sung by actors ranging from Salman to Shakti Kapoor, Chiranjeevi to Chandrachur. Yet, in real life, save for the odd eve teasing that ,funnily, noone considers anti-culture, I have never seen the one thing I want to see from Bollywood emulated.. a guy singing for his girl. A girl singing back to a guy. A happy go lucky crowd joining in. Okay okay, even I'm not expecting the synchronised dancers, but still.. where's the public display of affection, lust not attached ? Where is the effort to make the girl feel like a million bucks ? Make her smile when she goes to bed that night thinking of you ?

So guys and gals, here's my plan to make this world a better place which doesn't involve a signature petition, a bribe or hugging trees. Just sing. An adrenaline stimulated, chest pumping, fear evading, heart felt song, telling the person you love how you feel about her / him.. Don't be worried about the people around you, don't be worried about your voice cracking or the embarrassment.. just aim to make his/ her day memorable. Because, what I find is that , as the movie title goes, these kind of good vibes do get 'paid forward'. She passes on her happy vibes in her workplace, they pass it on at home.. it's a contagious happy fest. And all because you sang to her. Something every movie you've ever seen in India has taught you will win hearts... and you've never done.

All your life, you will strive to be the good son, the boss's pet, the perfect student, the ideal society person. Just once, before it's too late, be the filmstar. Be the one who follows his heart and sings when he is smitten by the sight of his love. Come on. You know you want to.

P.S. Before you say I ought to practise what I preach, well, I have sung to a girl a long time back, in front of a crowd, including her parents and relatives. ( 'A whole new world' from Aladdin ) And if you must know the final outcome... well, I'm still single. ( I scared them all away with my famed voice. The song sounded so much better when I was singing it in the bathroom earlier.. damn you, acoustics!!! ) But that's just me and my dumb luck.. after all, I am the exception to every rule. So don't look at my example. Go out there and sing.. After all, if I, a known introvert back then, could find the courage.. you guys can surely whip up some 'puppppy power' and sing, can't ya ?

Go get her, tiger...