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The Swan Song
Vivek Date
A swan gracefully soared past the Vindhyas, bearing a message of love. Then began an odyssey of two impassioned lovers. They first met each other through the musings and rumors of the fabled peerless lovers.A Swayamvara was the fated stage for their first union. In presence of every king and lord who gave up their knightly vows and sheathed their swords. There was peace on earth and the news of it spread to the very realms of paradise – the abode of divinity – as the holy dwellers of heaven grew suspicious of a peaceful mankind. Intrigued, they peered down upon the Earth with their ethereal gaze, catching a fleeting glimpse of the legendary princess.Enchanted by her beauty and enthralled by the prospect of eternal companionship, they chose to descend into the mortal realm partake in the Swayamvara trial. As the gods of the good and the evil began their descent, a valiant lover bathed in righteous radiance hopped onto his trusted steed and strode toward the same trail.
Vivek Date
The Swan Song
Dedicated
To our friends,
Through the highs and lows, the late nights and early mornings, you have been there, supporting us with unwavering love. Your cheers from the (mostly thin) crowd and your laughter in the (thinner) audience have fueled our passion for music. This book is dedicated to you, the ones who have stood by us, believed in us, and shared in our journey as The Bohemian Basterds. Your friendship has enriched our lives in countless ways.
To our family,
You have been our rock, our foundation, and our constant source of love and encouragement. Your unwavering support has given us the strength to chase our dreams and conquer any obstacles in our path. This book is dedicated to you, our family, who have nurtured our creativity, celebrated our successes, and stood by us through every twist and turn of our musical odyssey. Your love and belief in us have been our guiding light.
To our pets,
In your loyal eyes, we have found solace and inspiration. Your unconditional love and presence have brought us joy during the most challenging times. This book is dedicated to you, our faithful friends, who have wagged your tails, purred your melodies, and shared our adventures, offering us comfort and companionship when we needed it the most. Your presence has been a constant reminder of the beauty of simplicity and the power of connection. To all those who have supported us, believed in us, and shared in our journey, we offer our deepest gratitude. This book is a testament to the love, support, and inspiration we have received from each and every one of you. May our story continue to resonate with your hearts and souls as we embark on new chapters of our musical odyssey together.
With love and gratitude,
Vivek & Elena
Preface
Following up on our last album, "Ladders", where we indulged in the pleasure of writing a cohesive story spread across 10 songs with some songs flowing from one to another, we began writing "The Swan Song" in its entirety as a concept album. After spending months reading the meticulously written books of Mahabharat in the 19th century variant of Marathi and borrowing every possible reference to study the great story in depth, we began to relish the pleasure of creating a Rock & Roll expression of one of our favourite stories from the monumental timeless lore. With hard work, dedication and integrity as our strengths and king ambition and queen jealousy driving the purpose, we present to you, humbly, a sparkling coin from a bottomless treasure chest.
Introduction
Somewhere amidst their thirteen years of exile
, the fallen King, a beacon of virtues and all that is good, pondered over a battlefield of defeated wits. He looked over his shoulder and shed agonizing tears of innermost sorrow upon seeing his loved ones live like savages, at the mercy of the merciless.
"I have remained true to my path of righteousness. I have lived by every virtue, even in the battle against deceit and hate. Yet, I suffer endlessly with this desolation that my stubborn mind has brought upon us. Have you ever witnessed a man so devoid of fortune? Is there anyone in the world as unlucky as me?"– King Yudhishthir sang his lament to the exalted sage.
Rishi Vrihadashwa, in his vast wisdom derived from ageless knowledge, smiled at his troubled pupil acknowledging his peril. He rose from his pedestal atop a small hill, as they resided in the wilderness of the Himalayan foothills. The sage gazed to the southwest, perhaps searching for something, for his eyes held a glittering purpose.
He spoke in a gentle voice, "Beyond the horizons that most can see, to the southwest from here, lies an ancient monument of love – timeless mountains, the great Vindhyas
. They still bow down in a solemn prayer to the Himalayas. Mountains that set the stage for the saga of a lifetime. The Odyssey of Two Lovers, where their love endured, prevailed, and triumphed through similar trials and tribulations as you face today. May their journey reignite the flame of hope in your righteous heart."
As he finished speaking, he returned to sit at the edge of a Himalayan hill, and his pupil, the exiled King, bowed down in love and respect before taking a lower seat in front of his teacher, his counsel, a maharishi. Vrihadashwa began his sermon, and the eldest of the five Pandavas listened curiously.
1 – The story of Nal & Damayanti comes from an ancient book, Mahabharata, whose primary story revolves around the lives and times of the 5 Pandavas. In Mahabharat, Sage Vridhashwa recites ‘Nalopakhyanam – The tale of Nal’ to Yudishtir – the eldest of the 5 Pandavas in the 3rd year of their 13-year exile.
2 – ‘Vindya’ is the mountain range situated in central India
Strangers In A Strange Land
“Turn back the clock, until it turns no more,
Open the gates wide, let the sunshine galore,
The vibrant hues of yesteryear kind,
The colours will bring solace to your troubled mind.
Strange were the days, the world a mystifying place,
Yet soon, it would feel similar, unveiling a familiar face,
The names, the customs, and the ways, they remain,
In shadows, the same vices linger, forever’s their domain.
The lands, back then, were a fruitful sight to behold,
Not just for fauna and flora's bloom, but the civilizations untold,
When virtue claimed its reign,
As Vices sneaked unseen, tightening their grip on forever's domain.”
The Vindhyas still stood, bowing in reverence to the Himalayas as they do today. They served as a natural boundary between the two kingdoms that ruled the lands to the north and the south. The amicable kings governed their countries with benevolent hearts and were loved by their countrymen. Both kingdoms were soon blessed with boons. Little did the two aging kings know that these two would be the two halves of a perfect soul in the years to come.
The world celebrated the downpour of benign golden sunrays on the day the princess was born to the king in the south. Bathed in golden radiance that illuminated the skies as far as the eye could see, the princess was endowed with every virtue as she grew from a child of nature to a proud mother's daughter. She embodied all that was beautiful. Like an ever-blooming lotus of a celestial orchid, her grace even envied the gentle winds. Her scent, like the fragrance of flowers, traveled for miles, enchanting every living being that breathed in her essence. The moon and stars seemed to have befriended her, as three of them took turns illuminating the night skies. Happily living among her maidens and friends, the princess was an ever-blooming flower in an orchid with jasmine, daisies, and all that is good. Damayanti, true to the essence of her name
, embodied calmness and serenity.
3 – Damayanti – a Sanskrit word that means one who’s calm and serene
The northern king also rejoiced, as he was blessed with a baby boy radiating a peculiar glow. Like his father, the prince grew up guided by the virtues of life. The boy transformed into a handsome and valiant young man, a physique that rivaled the chiseled marbles adorning the royal gardens. The prince amassed boundless knowledge and wisdom through years of penance. He was an astute marksman and the swiftest charioteer. Well-versed in ancient texts, he was a favorite pupil of revered sages and saints. He held a special place in his heart for animals, and it almost seemed as if he could communicate with them in their own language. Proficient in the arts of war and peace, the prince embodied greatness and humility. Every woman he passed by deeply admired him, enthralled by his presence. They would surrender their every sense to their beloved prince Nal.
Peerless among men,
Peerless among the living beauty,
Blessed be their reunion.
"Have you heard about the Princess and the Prince? A queen and her only king? Have you heard about Nal and Damayanti?" – asked not only humans but also animals, birds, and even the elements to one another. Beasts began to howl in a soothing melody and the wind carried the fragrance of sandalwood and jasmines. Rivers flowed along their beautiful curves with renewed excitement, and birds sang a peculiar harmony. The barren foothills of the Vindhyas transformed into an oasis of love and musings. Rumormongers gathered from both sides of the mountains, sharing their stories. Every tree in the forest bloomed with fruits and flowers, while every beast seemed to have become gentle and kind. Flocks of birds flew up and down between the two kingdoms, perhaps searching for the peerless lovers, intrigued by the stirring rumuors that kept spreading in all ten directions.
The Love was born,
Long before it had a heartbeat.
Nal and Damayanti soon became the audience to their own rumors. Deeply fascinated by each other, they couldn't contain their silent passions any longer. Impatient for love, just a glimpse of each other was all they needed to ignite a bonfire of love that was meant to be. They began to drift away from their daily routines, sinking slowly into a world of disbelief. The once radiant glow that emanated from their bodies was lost in the haze of the unknown as they gazed toward each other, attempting to transcend the boundaries of the horizons that constrained the reach of their eager eyes, yearning to indulge in the sight of one another.
One fateful morning, Nal was wandering through a blooming orchard, singing the words of love in his heart. Intermittently, he would gaze at the empty sky, but in his heart, he stared deeply, in love, at the empty portrait of his queen that adored every wall of his heart. Gazing southwards, he noticed a flock of ordinary swans flying towards the orchard. Among them was a peculiar swan, its wings draped in gold, feathers as white as snow, and its eyes sparkling like multicolored gems. Locking its eyes with the curious prince, the swan separated from the flock and began to descend towards the orchard. Prince Nal was eagerly waiting its arrival.
"Is that a bird? Is that a celestial messenger? Or is she a divine angel herself? It flies like a bird, but it resembles a perfectly chiseled artwork from a piece of snow-white marble. Its eyes resemble the gems gifted by the churning ocean, and it has a peculiar glow around its golden wings. A truly extraordinary swan," – the prince thought, his curiosity heightened as the swan drew closer, almost within his reach.
"Is this the happy omen I have been ceaselessly seeking?" – he pondered, his heart throbbing with optimism, and decided to investigate further. Swift as a panther, the prince leaped toward the descending swan and gently caught it in his hands. Holding the swan in his large yet soft palms, the prince took a closer look at the beautiful bird. And the swan began to sing a song of love.
"Spare my life, I implore,
I carry the whispers of lore.
From the south of Vindhyas, I took to the skies,
And there I beheld her, a sight to mesmerize.
She's beyond words, she's Glory's very essence,
A missing piece, destined for your presence.
With joy in my heart, I flew to the North,
Over hills and rivers, carrying hope's worth.
In these orchids, I glimpsed your love filled stride,
Longing for Damayanti, your Love, your Guide.
Into your hands, I landed, completing the puzzle,
For the union of the peerless, let the world's blessings drizzle.
I shall be your messenger to the southern lands,
Carrying your praises in my flight's commands.
To the gardens of princes, swiftly I'll soar,
And sing to her the words she's been longing for.
Oh, the world shall rejoice, in harmonious delight,
When the peerless unite."
The swan pleaded to the bewildered prince in a human tongue. Nal remained unaffected by the miracle of a talking swan, as she uttered the words he had longed to hear. He set the messenger of love free and returned to his blissful thoughts, filled with love and optimism. With a smile and a sigh of relief, he immersed himself once again in the thoughts of love, his mind brimming with delight. For he knew, deep in his heart, the swan’s song was just a start.
The swan zoomed past the mountains, leaving a trail of love filled melody as it reached the farmlands of the southern king. It flew into the capital, heading towards the palace where the princess resided. From a window, the swan could see a brilliant radiant glow that obscured most of its surroundings. As the swan flew closer, it caught sight of Damayanti who stood in her balcony gazing at the Northern skies. She adorned jasmine in her hair, captivating the universe within her grasp. Her eyes were filled with love and excitement, as if she had been eagerly awaiting the swan's arrival at the window. With a gentle landing on the window pane next to the princess, the swan approached and whispered in her ear.
"The King in the North, as you well know,
Exceeds his description, his love for you only grows.
Enamoured, he roams the fields with lovesick desire,
His heart filled with your image, a burning fire.
In his eyes, in the air he breathes, you reside,
He yearns for your presence, in his every thought.
For he loves you deeply, as you love him too,
If the peerless unite, love's reign will imbue.
In this union, our world shall find solace and grace,
As love conquers all, in its warm embrace."
The swan whispered in her ear, uttering the words she had longed to hear. And then, with a graceful departure, it flew away into the sunset, setting off an odyssey of trials, tribulations, and love.
That night, the moon and the stars refused to show up. That night, Damayanti wandered through the gardens, fields, orchids, and streets, adorned with a blissful smile, blushing and radiating with a captivating glow. Her beauty illuminated the dark sky, spreading its radiance as far as the eye could see. Occasionally, a falling star would greet the enamored princess. Perhaps Mother Nature was indulging herself in the celebrations.
Nal & Damayanti continued to live their lives with renewed excitement, always attentive to the signs of auspicious omens.
Trial Of the Champions
Earth's most beautiful woman had surrendered her innermost soul to her love for her king. Damayanti yearned for love through countless cycles of days and nights, succumbing to sighs of despair. Wrapped in misery and solitude, she withdrew from her friends and maids, forsaking the luxuries and necessities of life. Every waking moment was spent gazing towards the northern skies, even in the darkness that obscured her vision. And as she slipped into a shallow slumber, her closed eyelids concealed eyes that were fixated on the northern star.
Her maidens and friends grew increasingly worried and felt helpless, unable to bear witness to their princess's suffering. The news of Damayanti's distress eventually reached the royal corridors of her father, the aging Southern King. Consumed by concern for his beloved daughter, the king sought advice from his counsel, ministers, sages, and saints.
"My dear girl will soon come of age, yet her distress lingers. What can bring her solace?" – the noble king inquired, his heart weighed down by worry.
After careful deliberation, the wise counsel presented a solution born out of their understanding of Damayanti's longings. "Your daughter is a paragon of virtue, and she yearns for a worthy companion, her true king. She’s a girl and would be a Woman soon. We suggest hosting a Swayamvara
, a grand tournament where eligible kings from all corners of the earth will compete for the highest reward this universe could offer – Damyanti’s companionship. Princess Damayanti will be the supreme judge of her suitors, and it will be only her decision to choose her champion. She will decide the feats and she will set up the charts. The Princess shall become Queen to the only King that she desires" they proposed, their voices brimming with confidence.
4 – Swayamvara is the type of marriage where a woman presents the suitors with challenging tasks and chooses the champion of the trial as her husband
The king's face lit up with hope and delight as he wholeheartedly embraced the idea. A beautiful glow of fatherly love for his beloved daughter sparkled from his optimistic eyes. He summoned his ambassadors and envoys, entrusting them with the crucial task of delivering individual invitations to the lords and kings in all ten directions, cordially inviting them to participate in the grand Swayamvara.
A spectacle unfolds, behold the invitation,
To a grand tournament, where hearts seek elevation.
In this cosmic theater, all are cordially invited,
For the highest reward, to the only champion.
The princess Damayanti, a vision of beauty unmatched,
Shall grace the arena, where destinies are dispatched.
