Sunset AyegA – From Inspiration to Realization

From Hovering Hues at Sunset, August 3, 2009, West LA

Monday evening. August 3rd. I had just placed my taco order at Benitos when I was caught off-guard by the brilliant hues of pink across the street. While the eye of my phone camera could not fully capture my excitement, it inspired me to try to capture that moment in the life of my beloved neighborhood. At the far left is the contemporary En Sushi, where my neighbor tends bar. Then there is our favorite place to rent movies on the cheap, A Video Store Named Desire, sandwiched in between Peruvian delights at Qusqo and yet another Japanese spot, California Roll Factory. Jump into a time capsule, travel back more than a half century, drink an All-American milkshake, and still access the internet via free wifi at the Cafe 50’s. Finally, there’s Juquila on the far right, which serves up the cuisine of Oaxaca, a state in southern Mexico.

Later that week, I began to write this bilingual tune with English verses and a chorus in Hindi, attempting to capture my encounter with those hovering hues. Yet, writing a song about this particular subject was not my intention from the outset. A melody, a moment, a mellow groove – each of these emerged independently. Together, they inspired me to write the first version of the lyrics, embracing my playful side. I revised it once more a couple of days ago and now I am ready to share it with you. I’d like to thank my parents and the mad scientist for their feedback and support as I walked the path from inspiration to realization.

Chances are that you will hear me debut this song tonight, Friday, August 21, 2009 at Cinespace in Hollywood. My set is at 10:00pm in the Acoustic Room. For details, please visit my website calendar.

Sunset AyegA
(sunset will come)
Words & Music by Manisha Shahane
August 19, 2009

CHORUS:
घुमते-घुमते अाकाशी रंग, अायेगा
फिरते-फिरते मोती जैसा चाँद, अायेगा
चंद्रमाँसे अाया प्रकाश, अायेगा
अायेगा, अायेगा, अायेगा

CHORUS (transliteration):
Ghumte-ghumte AkAshee rang, AyegA
Phirte-phirte moti jaisA chAnd, AyegA
Chandra-mA se AyA prakAsh, AyegA
AyegA, AyegA, AyegA

VERSE 1
Twilight tingles down my spine
A rising moon, a smile divine
Between the lashes of my eye
A palette splashes in the sky

VERSE 2
Swirling, twirling, purple, pink
My effervescence on the brink
Succumbing soon to night’s delight
The sun now slumbers out of sight

VERSE 3
Moonlight streaming to the beat
Shadows dance beneath my feet
I hear the whispers of my soul
Now it’s time to rock and roll