Thursday, June 25, 2009

Cupid

The recent telco advert and Amy Winehouse's recent single gave me interest to dig more on Cupid. Though, some beliefs or religions do not believe in Cupids. However, we can't help but to believe in Love.

Modern reinterpretations of the Cupid character may leave off traditional details of the character, but the character's main purpose generally remains to help or make people fall in love or possibly engage in physical intimacy.

In the Roman version, Cupid was the son of Venus (goddess of love) and Mars (god of war). In the Greek version he was named Eros and seen as one of the primordial gods (though other myths exist as well). Cupid was often depicted with wings, a bow, and a quiver of arrows. When his mother got extremely jealous of the princess Psyche, who was so loved by her subjects that they forgot to worship Venus, she ordered Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with the vilest thing in the world. When Cupid saw Psyche, however, he was so overcome by her astounding beauty that he dropped an arrow on his foot, and so fell in love with her himself. More info on Cupid can be found here



"Cupid" by Amy Winehouse

Cupid,
Draw back your bow
I am begging your arrow flow
Straight to my lover´s heart
For me, nobody but me

You better, please,
Hear my cry
And then your arrow fly
Straight to my lover's heart
For me.

I don't want to bother you
But I'm in distress
As danger love is losing
All my happiness
Oh, I love a man
Who doesn't know I exist
And this you can fix,

So Cupid
Draw back your bow
And lay your arrow flow
Straight to my lover´s heart
For me, nobody but me

Cupid
Please hear my cry
I am begging your arrow fly
Straight to my lover's heart
For me.

Now, if your arrow makes
His love strong for me I swear
I'm gonna love him
Until eternity

I know between the both of us
His heart we can steal
You can help me if you will

So, cupid
Draw back your bow
And let your arrow flow
Straight to my lover's heart
For me, nobody but me

Cupid, please hear my cry
And then your arrow fly
Straight to my lover's heart
For me
Yeah yeah yeah cupid

Oh oh cupid I love him love him

Friday, June 12, 2009

An art beyond words:The National Anthem

Being a music lover all this while, this issue has always puzzled me.

Thanks to this brilliant view 'If music be the food of patriotism' that I have read in The Sun newspaper today which has given me the guts to comment on it as it is one of my favourite interest which is the music itself.

An anthem usually acting as a symbol for a distinct group of people, as in the term "national anthem" or "sports anthem". The word "anthem" is commonly used to describe a celebratory song or composition for a distinct group, as in the term "national anthem". The term "anthemic" is a modern word coined to describe music with an emotive connotation to it. (excerpted from Wikipedia)

I really do think that a national anthem has deep intentions to give inner strength to its citizen’s soul and feed aspiration for the spirit to any country.

We may adapt the anthem from any version and yes, it is still okay to change the melody depends on situation whether to enhance the repertoire or to beautify its melody. Though, I do wish that it's not because of the trend influence or changes of certain government.Also, please make the official announcement across the nation so that the citizens are aware of the changes. Not too worry , the citizens' ears are all alert and our hearts are open for positive revolution.

I am still in doubt whether the goal of this anthem melody changing was to determine if the selected musical mode elicits an emotional response, and if so what type of emotional response. Whether we listened to any compositions (major, minor, mixed modes or instrumental noise) and set so-called a standardized mood inventory after each. I guess the results from any altered composition are to indicate what emotional responses are affected by the selected musical mode? What outcome that the decision maker actually prefers? The positive response, negative response or the mixed and extreme emotional responses? Or is it depends on the decision makers’ mood swings and current taste?

As a result, this will leave the respective citizens a major confusion in case the country has several events going on around the globe at the same time.For instance; sports occasions, worship celebrations, prize giving ceremonies or even during school assembly which will ended up to various versions of national anthem at the same time?

Based on my experience when choosing the right anthem version during a university’s graduation ceremony two years back, I was very certain to play the national anthem of England-God Save the Queen rather than our own Negaraku. Luckily on the very last minute I managed to pull out the correct version of Negaraku that I found from the official government website. No surprise, the version has been changed again within less than a year. From marching version to softer version of piano instrumental and back to marching again with a little traditional flavour here and there and what’s next...only God knows.

Nevertheless, despite the rapid changes of the national anthem melody, I do hope that the meaningful lyrics will remain the same as to me they have the significant role as an art to beautify the national anthem itself.


English translation

My country, the land where my blood is shed,The people live united and progressive,Blessings of happiness, may God grant,(And that) our King may reign in peace.Blessings of happiness, may God grant,(And that) our King may reign in peace.

Friday, June 5, 2009

The Magical Word of Assalamualaikum-Did Obama's speech inspire us?

It began with Obama greeting the crowd with the magical word--assalamu alaikum, or "peace be upon you," and was bolstered by weaving in quotes from the Quran. And the speech was delivered the way you introduce yourself here to neighbors as a newcomer to town: explaining where you're from, your passions, your dreams, but not delving too deeply into prickly things. That unveiling comes later, during ensuing weeks, months and years.


He came with goodwill and pretty sentences, but the question kept echoing: Were they enough? The 55-minute address at Cairo University was short on policy details. The speech made up for by linking Obama's story -- the Christian son of an African Muslim father -- with his administration's goals of ending the Arab-Israeli crisis, sitting with Iran at the negotiating table and calling on Muslims to reject the fanatical voices of Osama bin Laden and others.
In the end, a few words and phrases stood out, either because they were said or because they weren't even alluded to.

Yes, there were many interesting moments during Obama's speech in Cairo. The moment that got the most attention, in Search anyway, was Obama's use of "

assalamu alaikum." Said the President: "I'm also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: Assalaamu alaykum." After the speech, searches soared on the greeting, its meaning, and translation. According to the Islamic Dictionary, it literally means: "Peace be upon you." It is a shortened form of a phrase that translates to "Peace be unto you and so may the mercy of Allah and His blessings."


I highlighted some paragraphs from Obama’s speech that I think very interesting for us to have a second thought of them.. :)


- I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles - principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.

- As the Holy Koran tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth." That is what I will try to do - to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.

- Part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.

- Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That is why I am committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.


image: Gerald Herbert AP

- The sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights. I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share.


But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion - that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples - a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.


The Holy Koran tells us, "O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another." The Talmud tells us: "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace." The Holy Bible tells us, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth.


Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you...See Obama’s full speech--here


Well for me, the speech did inspire people ..no, not to inspire HOPE but to search for the true meaning and translation of the magical word "Assalamualaikum"..:)



Source: Mike Krumboltz and LA Times