Mavrix: Music + Data

  • Why India Survives

    Two incidents in my apartment complex resulted in a lot of debate related to religion and language in India: 1.     Religion – It was discovered that two maidservants who identified themselves with Hindu names were actually Muslims. The residents’ association banned these individuals from the complex since their integrity was now in question. Debate: Did the…

  • Why everyone likes music

    Music is perhaps the pastime that needs the least attention and effort from us. Look at the most common ways in which we listen to music: While reading a book While surfing the net On TV In a movie In theater or a show with music In a party or celebration In a restaurant, pub,…

  • Why we focus on money as a reason to work

    To fulfill our material aspirations To secure our future and our children’s future We do not find anything else in our job to motivate us We are too tired or too complacent to find out ways to make our work exciting and meaningful We are too afraid to quit and find work that offers more…

  • Jugaad vs Dishonesty

    Jugaad is a vital element of Indian entrepreneurship. Depending on whom you ask, you get different definitions of jugaad. Improvisation. Making do. Resourcefulness. I like Ratan Tata’s definition of “frugal innovation” because jugaad arises from constraints, scarcity and competition. Tata Nano might be tacky to some but there is no denying the ingenuity involved in…

  • We will not touch your junk

    Indians aren’t private people. We are conditioned by years of living in joint families or crowded communities, a throng of relatives visiting us or calling us over, and lots and lots of people all around us everywhere we go. So while, Americans demonstrate outrage at being patted down (and by the way, not even the…

  • 5 suggestions to recognize film music’s “extras”

    Ever wondered who played the violin in Yeh Ab Aap Sochiye (Mere Sanam); the sitar in Deewana Hua Baadal (Kashmir Ki Kali); the harmonica in Ye Dosti (Sholay); the accordion in Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (Sangam); the guitar in Ilaya Nila (Payanangal Mudivadhillai); or even who whistled in Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (Nau…

  • What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?

    I saw The Social Network recently. It’s sharp, smart, funny and very entertaining. One fascinating scene in the movie got me thinking about what it means to be an entrepreneur. The scene involves Sean Parker, who is like the sidekick in this movie but could easily be the hero in another movie. Sean Parker is…

  • 6 questions for NRIs considering returning to India – The Decision

    [Part 3 of a 3 part post. Part 1 is here. Part 2 is here.] It’s not as if you call a family meeting and start discussing if returning to India is right for you. These questions need to be part of ongoing conversations in your family, regardless of how far out the eventual decision…

  • 6 questions for NRIs considering returning to India – The Questions

    [Part 2 of a 3 part post. Part 1 is here.] While the choice of returning to India or staying is personal and depends on each family’s unique circumstances, the answers to the following questions lead us to a decision we can live with. How important are your Indian roots to you? How important is…

  • 6 questions for NRIs considering returning to India – The Dilemma

    [This is first part of a 3-part post – The Dilemma, The Questions, The Decision.] It is a well-known fact that all Indians in the US consider moving back to India at one point of time or the other. We discuss and debate about it, all the while putting off the final decision. The reason…

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