Tamil Music

Hey Team!

Today, I’m diving into something will forever hold a special place in my heart—Tamil music. Over the years, I’ve noticed that songs in different languages, including my own, have their own unique feel. For instance, I don’t speak Spanish, but I can’t help but vibe to some amazing Spanish tunes. Sometimes, when I’m out and about in New York, I’ll hear a Spanish song in the background, and suddenly, I’m caught in the groove, dancing along without even thinking about it.

But here's the thing about Tamil music—because I understand it, it hits differently. It’s like a personal connection to the song that makes it 100 times more meaningful. I know the lyrics, I feel the emotions, and I can truly appreciate the essence of the music. There's a certain magic in how music from your own culture resonates with you on such a deep level.

While I'm cleaning, I’ll just put on some random mix from Ilaiyaraaja or A.R. Rahman, even Dhee on occasion, and then I start vibing, and suddenly my room is clean. Both my parents grew up in the '90s, and my dad, who has an older taste in music, was a big influence. Over the years, I’ve learned that old music isn’t bad music—it’s just a whole different style. I wasn’t born in the '90s, but whenever I listen to older music, I feel a type of strength, and sometimes I even feel that '90s love.

My mom, on the other hand, loves modern music. I get that serious hit, and I feel that little spark from every song. Today's music is more about the hit and the beat, which I love just as much. So while other songs get me up and about, dancing, or kicking my toes in the air, Tamil music just flows differently.

It's not just cinema songs, however. Even songs that are not part of Tamil cinema, like the songs I hear when I do morning prayers or the God songs I wake up to, also instill a feeling in me. Whenever I'm in dance class and I hear the soul and joy of the singer in each piece, I feel a discipline that I don’t find in Western music. I feel graceful, I feel strong, I feel courageous—I feel so many emotions that sometimes overwhelm me.

Every morning, on the weekends, my mom wakes me up with some kind of "Sami Paattu" (God songs in Tamil). Hearing those pieces makes me feel a deep appreciation and connection to my roots.

What I absolutely love about Tamil music is its versatility. One minute, it can get me up and dancing, the next, it’ll have me falling in love. It has this incredible power to bring out all kinds of emotions—whether it's the high-energy beats or the slow, romantic melodies, Tamil music can truly put me in the moment, riled up with excitement or lost in a dream.

Even right now, as I’m writing this, there’s a cute song stuck in my head that’s just playing over and over. Tamil songs have this strength, this timeless class—they’re the embodiment of bravery, culture, and deep-rooted tradition. Each note carries with it a sense of history, pride, and emotion that you can’t help but feel.

If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that Tamil music has a power like no other. It doesn’t just play in the background—it becomes a part of you.

Keep Vibing!

-AMS

Career Confusion???

Hey Gang

Honestly, I feel like I have PTSD from the word "college."  The clock is ticking and I have no idea what I want to do or where I want to go.

One of my biggest strengths is my ability to talk, which is why I’ve thought about studying political science. I’m empathetic, and I enjoy having deep conversations. But my mom’s scared of politics, and we don’t know much about it, nor do we have many connections there. Plus, I don't have a strong passion for anything except public speaking, which I’d love to teach as a side hobby.

I won’t lie—I need money. People always say money doesn’t bring happiness, but I disagree. Money gives you security. My parents are from India, and my community has learned to rise up, like a phoenix, so money feels like a safe haven. And yes I may be from a comfortable upper middle class family, but I still know what it feels like to be helpless without a safety net. It’s a lifeline—though it can be stressful at times, it’s something to rely on.  Money is a asset that all of humanity relies on.

As for career ideas, I’ve considered business, maybe even becoming a CEO. To do that, you need to identify a problem and build on it, but I’m not really into making things or creating products. I’m more of a talker than a builder, so I'm not sure how I could fit into an industry like makeup or handmade goods. I'm not an entrepreneur—I can talk, but I’m not great at selling. I can make people laugh, especially in my native language, and my jokes tend to hit differently in that language.

At the annual fair we have with other families, I’ve sold handmade things like lip gloss, plants, and earrings. But I wouldn’t say any of these things are my true calling. I know how to charm people with humor, but that doesn’t last forever.

Now, what about being an engineer?I like to consider myself a creative person who I love stem challenges and creating new ideas. Both my parents are software engineers, so it seems right that I follow their path. I’ve never been into technology. I respect the power it gives us, but honestly, it kind of scares me.

Okay, so what about being a rich, famous actress? It sounds fun, but how long would the fantasy last? You have to work so hard to get there, and honestly, I’m kind of scared of the dangers in the film industry. I know a lot of people have been exploited for their talents, and I definitely don’t want that happening to me.

So, you want to be up there, fine—maybe singing, dancing, or something in the arts. As I mentioned in my introduction, I’m a proud Bharatanatyam dancer. Even after performances, I keep rehearsing the steps in my head because I love the discipline and structure the art form brings. I sing for fun, but I really can’t imagine it being a career for me. The same goes for dancing.

You want to be out there and successful, but not too high. How about social media? Becoming a big YouTuber, being on the big screen, teaching, helping, entertaining people—there’s so much to do. But is that a job you can really rely on? I also think it would get boring after a while, with the same repetitive process. And imagine being swarmed by fans. That might seem nice at first, but I value my privacy.

I also went through a “science phase” when I was younger. I wanted to be a marine biologist, an archaeologist, a zoologist—I had a whole wildlife and animals phase. I used to read about this stuff all the time. I still do, actually. Nowadays, I’m more into social studies. Science is great, don’t get me wrong, but I just find social studies more appealing to me now.

I’ve also thought about law. Lawyers get to document evidence, push out claims, and be persistent with them. What kind of lawyer would I even be? Maybe criminal law, but that’s a tough field. Divorce? I wouldn’t want to tear families apart. Immigration law? Too soul-crushing. Tax lawyer? Boring. And to become a judge, you have to be a lawyer first, so that's out of the picture. I’ve also thought about corporate law, and still am I bit skeptical. I don't know if I got a cutthroat bone in me. 

Finally, I’ve considered becoming a doctor. Doctors are amazing—saving lives and looking so professional in their white coats and heels. A few weeks ago, I went to the eye doctor. I was waiting in the lobby for about 15 to 20 minutes when the doctor finally came in. The nurse checked my eye, and in just five minutes, she looked at me and said I was good to go. The way she carried herself with such grace and applied herself so effortlessly, even in those few minutes, really impressed me. It was also clear that she knew a lot about her craft because, no matter what question I asked, she answered confidently. I really admire their presence. But the thought of all the studying required makes me hesitate.

So here I am, stuck in a sea of uncertainty. I’m only in 8th grade, but the years seem to fly by. Life is like a roller coaster with many ups and downs but eventually you'll reach your destination. For now, I’m unsure, but I’ll keep figuring it out and keeping you posted.

Until Next Time

-AMS

Take Off!!

 Hello Peeps!

Nice to meet you! This is my first blog entry, and I’m so excited to share my life with all of you. For the past 13 years, I’ve been traveling all over the world. From Spain to Turkey to Egypt—honestly, you name it, I’ve probably been there.

I live in New Jersey and speak Tamil, although I can’t read or write it (yet), but I absolutely love the sound of the language. It feels like music to my ears! Speaking of music, I’m a huge fan of Indian cinema. I could talk about it for hours (seriously, just ask).

I’m not quite sure what I want to be when I grow up, but I’m figuring it out one step at a time. You can follow along with me on this journey! Writing is one of my favorite things to do, and I absolutely love to read, so feel free to drop book recommendations in the comments—I’m always looking for my next great read.

A little more about me:

I’m a proud Girl Scout.

I’m a Bharatanatyam dancer.

I’m fit but not exactly athletic—I’m more of a "for fun" badminton player and biker.

Hiking? Yes, please!

Public speaking? Definitely my jam.

So, that’s a little about me! Thanks for reading my first blog entry. I can’t wait to share more with you as I go.

Stay tuned for more adventures, thoughts, and lots of chatter—because if you couldn’t tell, I love to talk!

See you soon!

— AMS