bawdispeak: music/metro/urbanity

{My favourite movie scene ever - a clip from the movie 'Babel', directed by Alejandro Gonzales Inaritu, music by Gustavo Santaolalla (who won the oscar for this)}

iPod on. Genius option under use. 'Notes' being used to prepare rough timeline.

'Secret Garden' by Madonna

Having passed through security and floor polishers, I'm standing (alone) on a platform floating between the 10.45 pm darkness of the eternally-under-construction Aastha Kunj and the halogen-lit towers of Nehru Place.

'Stepping Stones' by The Aditya Balani Group

I can make out the outline of the Lotus Temple in the skyline. Takes a hard bit of peering, but the curve is there. Silly smile on my face. A train appears out of nowhere, taking a bend in nothingness. I board and take a corner seat, two strangers sit at the far-end of the coach, fiddling on their mobiles. As the train passes by the Intercontinental Eros, the diwali lights of residential Delhi and random establishments blur past, and the song draws to a close.

'I Set my Face to the Hillside' by Tortoise

I'm approaching Ring Road now, the Moolchand crossing underneath. Headlights and Tail-lights stream by at a four-level crossing. I can see the illuminated dome of the Humayun's Tomb in a distance and as the train curves down toward the underground, the remnant spotlights on Nehru Stadium and what I think are the lights of Rajpath and India Gate. I realize that my camera is not the only reason why I love this city.

'Cry me a River' by Julie London

The train is now underground, and the volume is raised. Empty stations, through opened doors. An empty train reflected in the window glass.

'The Flower Called Nowhere' by Stereolab

Changing trains at Central Secretariat. Never seen the station so empty. Couple of people around, all running to catch the last train. Another seat, but a coach with a dozen more people.

'Sparks' by Royksopp

More people stream in at Rajiv Chowk. An equal number stream out at Kashmere Gate. The train is empty once more.

'Lost in a Moment' by Shrift

More empty stations. Emptier coach. A metropolis of twenty million above. Alone, underneath.

'Crystal Illusions' by Sergio Mendes and Brasil'66

Walking out of Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station. Decide to sit and wait for a bus, knowing that it won't come. Just an excuse to enjoy the song. More traffic streams past. Sort of like long-exposure photography re-interpreted in terms of bossa nova. Finally decide to hail a Rickshaw.

'Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)' by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto

Chilly November air. Adrenalin fuelled Rickshaw-wala. Streetlights. Home in sight.