KOI DIL MEIN ZAROOR REHTA HAI

Accidently unearthed a small listing that I had done few months back on the LataDi solos composed by PanchamDa over the decades.. ofcourse its a personal choice and it might just have switched places on the chart by now for me too.. but for me this is my playlist for the night today ! Blissful indeed.. thought of sharing the pleasure and happiness this is going to give me with the fellow magnificient Panchamites.. Wishing the queen the glory of the throne all over again.. she ruled, she rules and will always rule ! ♥

Here are the 60s:
 1. 'Ghar Aaja Ghir Aaye..' (Chhote Nawaab)
 2. 'Sharm Aati Hai Magar..' (Padosan)
 3. 'Waadiyaan Mera Daaman..' (Abhilasha)
 4. 'O Mere Pyar Aaja..' (Bhoot Bangla)
 5. 'Bhai Battur..' (Padosan)
 6. 'Aaja Piya Tohe Pyar Doon..' (Baharon Ke Sapne)
 7. 'Kajrare Badarwa..' (Pati Patni)
 8. 'Na Jaa O Mere Humdum..' (Pyar Ka Mausam)
 9. 'Churake Dil Ban Rahe Ho..' (Chhote Nawaab)
10. 'Main Na Milungi Nazar Hatalo..' (Pyar Ka Mausam) ..

and the 70s:
 1. 'Raina Beeti Jaye..' (Amar Prem)
 2. 'Do Nainon Mein Aansu Bhare Hai..' (Khushboo)
 3. 'Rimjhim Gire Saawan..' (Manzil)
 4. 'Mere Naina Saawan Bhado..' (Mehbooba)
 5. 'Jiya Na Lage Mora..' (Buddha Mil Gaya)
 5a. 'Saawan Ke Jhoole Pade...' (Jurmaana)
 6. 'Kis Liye Maine Pyar Kiya..' (The Train)
 7. 'Aaj Kal Paao Zami Par..' (Ghar)
 8. 'Pyaasa Mera Dil..' (Ehsaan)
 9. 'Baahon Mein Chale Aao..' (Anamika)
 9a. 'Din Jaa Rahe Hain..' (Doosri Seeta)
 10. 'Aa Meri Saathi Aa..' (Chhalia)
 10a. 'Aaj Jo Meri Hansi Udaayi..' (Gomati Ke Kinaare)
10b. 'Ek Din Hansana..' (Benaam) ..

 the 80s: 
 1. 'Jaane Kya Baat Hai..' (Sunny)
 2. 'Bhor Bhaye Panchhi..' (Aanchal)
 2. 'Aisa Sama Na Hota..' (Zameen Aasmaan)
 3. 'Tumse Milke Zindagi Ko..' (Chor Police)
 4. 'Tere Liye Palkon Ke..' (Harjaee)
 4a. 'Saagar Kinaare Saanjh Sakare..' (Saagar)
 5. 'Jaane Kaise Beetegi..' (Basera)
 6. 'Aaja Sar-e-Baazar Tera..' (Alibaba aur Chalis Chor)
 7. 'Din Pyar Ke Aayenge..' (Saverewali Gaadi)
 8. 'Jahan Pe Savera Ho..' (Basera)
 8a. 'Yeh Faasle Yeh Dooriyaan..' (Zameen Aasmaan)
 9. 'Tujhse Naaraz Nahi..' (Masoom)
 9a. Hawayein Prabhaati Sunaayein.. (Shubhkaamna)
 10. 'Ae Ri Pawan..' (Bemisaal)
10a. 'Bindiya Tarse Kajra Barse..' (Phir Wohi Raat)
** *Paas rahta hai door rehta hai_

 Mentioning 90s as a separate decade, so that I get the liberty for the 80s ;-) :
 1. 'Sili Hawa Chhu Gayi..' (Libaas)
 2. 'Kuch Na Kaho..' (1942 A Love Story)
 3. 'Phir Kisi Shakh Ne..' (Libaas)

A VOICE THAT RESONATES LIKE THE TEMPLE BELL AND REJOICES LIKE THE DISCO LIGHT !

A VOICE THAT RESONATES LIKE THE TEMPLE BELL AND REJOICES LIKE THE DISCO LIGHT !

How do we define the ebullience of a free flowing river ? How do you gauge the depth of a silent, pacifying sea ? How do we elaborate the innocence in the laughter of a small child ? How do we characterize the seduction in a newly wed couple ? How do we even get through to know the piousness in the light gleaming in front of a God's statue in the early hours of the morning ? We do have an answer to all of this.. one voice with all its ebullience makes us understand the depth of these questions, albeit innocently through the ways of seduction yet in a very pious way.. one voice named ASHA BHOSLE !

Her voice has been a witness of practically every emotion of our lives.. it softens to a lullaby as it grooves to an item number.. it soothes the paining heart as it races the heartbeats.. it purifies the emotions as it bewitches them.. it touches the deepest chords of the soul as it strums a song out of them.. it dances in the rain and cries in it too.. it is a truly a voice that threads two hearts together, two worlds together !

Be it the seductiveness of 'Aaiye Meherbaan..', or the pathos of 'Justaju Jiski Thi..', she dealt with it effectively. The playfulness of 'Bhanwra Bada Naadaan Hain..', countered the mysteriousness of 'Parde Mein Rehne Do..' perfectly well in her voice. The romance of 'Chura Liya Hain Tumne Jo..', the anxiety of 'Piya Tu Ab To Aaja..', the patriotism of 'Sabarmati Ke Sant Tune..' or the tipsiness of 'Aao Huzoor Tumko..', every emotion sounded real and true in her singing. She could appease in 'O Mere Sona Re..', but had a pride in 'Mere Mehboob Mein Kya Nahi..', she had the maternal ardor of 'Chanda Chupe Rehna..' but the glamorousness of 'Jawani Jaan-e-man..' was no less. Her tantalizing 'Dum Maaro Dum..' was as perfect as the devotion of 'Deva Ho Deva Ganpati Deva..' Deeper expressions and emotions like peeve in 'Tum Kitne Din Baad Mile..' or persuasion in 'Pyar Ke Mod Par Chhodoge Jo..' were made to sound easy in her voice. She was the party-hopper in 'Jaan-e-Jaa O Meri Jaan-e-Jaa..' but connected to the melancholy of 'Khali Haath Shaam Aayi Hain..' with aplomb. Her demure shyness in 'Nahi Nahi Abhi Nahi..' was drastically different than the carefreeness of 'Yaayi Re.. Rangeela Re..'. She rebelled in 'Saare Niyam Tod Do..' but became reflective in 'Yeh Saaye Hain Yeh Duniya Hain..', became a competition in 'Aa Dekhein Zara..' but finally did becoming the guide in 'Jhukake Sar Ko Poocho..' ! Her exuberance, her effervescence, her excellence, her enchantment, her emotions have all exemplified her extraordinary expertise in her craft.

Decades passed, generations followed, choices changed, techniques developed, listening ears transformed.. this voice saw it all and yet remained fresh as a flower and as a true as a prayer.. tireless, relentless, ageless ! This voice that made our lives worth living, itself faced a lot, it made us understand the worth of our emotions but itself understood it the hard way.. but there was nothing to stop the undying spirit with which it continued stamping and stomping its mark over everyone ! 69 years ago a journey started which increased it speed with every passing year trespassing the barriers of language, region and at times even the country !

Today, when it enters the 80th year of a delightful life which has always been a chapter in living, an inspiration, an institution, a source of energy and positive undaunted will and spirit.. I am sure, on looking back on the hard, arduous struggle done all through the life will reiterate there words to itself.. She gave everyone a lot but probably at the expense of losing a part of hers..

गीत कितने गा चुकी हूँ इस सुखी जग के लिए,
आज रोने दो मुझे पल एक अपने भी लिए..

रो रही थी बीन और सुन कर सुखी संसार था,
नाचती थी उंगलियाँ और काँपता हर तार था..

आज टूटा तार मेरी बीन का आघात से,
आज कुम्हलाया कुसुम मेरा अधिक बरसात से..

साज़ धोने दो नयन के अश्रु खोने दो मुझे,
कल सुनाऊंगी मधुर कुछ आज रोने दो मुझे..

(Lyrics are by Bharat Vyas and the music composition is by Nikhil Ghosh.)
geet kitne ga chuki hoon
AshaTai ki zindagi mein wo madhur geet sunanewala kal hamesha aata rahe..
she has given us a reason to live through her songs, through her music.. its time to say that we are indebted, but this is one debt, I am sure, everyone would love being in all through their lives ! Thank you AshaTai for being the incandescent light juxtaposed with the undaunted fervor that you spill around.. I bow down to you for just being there !

lata -mukesh

लता मुकेश ने सबसे पहला गीत जो एक साथ गाया था (युगल/duet) वो था 1948 में आई फिल्म ‘मजबूर’ से ! फिल्म में संगीत था मास्टर गुलाम हैदर का ! इस तरह से कह सकते हैं है मास्टर गुलाम हैदर ही वो संगीतकार रहे जिनके लिए उन्होंने सबसे पहेल एक युगल गीत दिया ! लता मुकेश के इन गीतों को आगे भी हमने कई संगीतकारों के साथ सुना ! जिनमे लक्ष्मीकांत प्यारेलाल का सावन का महीना , मैं न भूलूँगा जैसे गीत भी शामिल रहे !

Ab darne ki koi baat nahi, angrezi chhora chala gaya. Ghulam Haider composes a cute Lata-Mukesh duet in Majboor that perfectly depicts the immediate post-Independence mood of happiness and hope. Ab nahi hai raaj phirangi ka, lo jhanda lagaa tirangi ka, ab nahi zamana tangi ka - : mandar bichu

This is the list of songs which feature Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle as singers!

HINDI

1. 1951 - Ye Ruki Ruki Hawayein - Daman - K. Dutta
http://www.mediafire.com/?ljmx4nd5juh


2. 1954 - Har Baat Poochhiye- Chandni Chowk - Roshan - With Shamshad Begum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kej_e1AXSys


3. 1954 - Yeh Barkha Bahar - Mayurpankh - Shankar Jaikishan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl3WtkF8TgE


4. 1956 - Kar Gaya Re - Basant Bahar - Shankar Jaikishan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovu1fq6dh8Y


5. 1956 - Manbhavan Ke Ghar - Chori Chori - Shankar Jaikishan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3C5VyBGx64


6. 1956 - Aji Chale Aao - Halaku - Shankar Jaikishan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4h6RG7Za88


7. 1956 – Bin Paisa Har Khel Hain Jhootha - Paisa Hi Paisa- Anil Biswas – With Mohd. Rafi & Kishore Kumar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIJTABwFYHA


8. 1956 – Bas Ek Tum Bin - Paisa Hi Paisa- Anil Biswas – With Kishore Kumar


9. 1956 – Dil Ne Manga Pyar - Paisa Hi Paisa- Anil Biswas – With Mohd. Rafi & Kishore Kumar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivPDIvI-uF8


10. 1957 - Sakhi Ri Sun Bole - Miss Mary - Hemant Kumar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4pUsBHbZpQ


11. 1957 - O Chand Jahan Woh Jaye - Sharada - C. Ramchandra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGKxtqOze5M


12. 1958 - Ja Ja Re Saajna - Adalat - Madan Mohan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93qA-oICtYI&feature=related


13. 1958 - Bachpan Ka Mora Tora Pyar - Do Phool - Vasant Desai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLTdBCxlkxA


14. 1958 - Roothi Jaye Ri Gujariya - Do Phool - Vasant Desai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92GbgoeFU


15. 1960 - Kya Hua Yeh Mujhe Kya Hua - Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai - Shankar Jaikishan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7INIgOHCb8


16. 1961 - Koi Pyaar Bharee Dhun Ched Piyaa - Jadugar Daku - S. N Tripathi


17. 1961 - Jhoole More Lalna - Pyar Ki Pyaas - Vasant Desai


18. 1961 - Pyas Bujhane Sab Ke Man Ki - Pyar Ki Pyaas - Vasant Desai -
With Mahendra Kapoor


19. 1961 - Hum Ramchandra Ki Chandrakala Mein - Sampoorna Ramayana - Vasant Desai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myx8Lb5NAes


20. 1961 - Dil Dai Dai - Senapati - Madan Mohan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_heHvmIrRM


21. 1962 - Koi Aayega Aayega - Professor - Shankar Jaikishan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkwNBJ0m9pI


22. 1962 - Meha Aao Re - Sangeet Samrat Tansen - S. N Tripathi - With Manna Dey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjwj0R7o5ZE


23. 1962 - Ye Baat Bade Hi Raaz Ki - Sher Khan - S. N Tripathi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LglV2Q-Yrlg


24. 1963 – Bane Aisa Samaj – Bahurani – C. Ramchandra – With Manna Dey


25. 1963 - Dhadka O Dil - Bharosa - Ravi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHCtYHKLs3c


26. 1963 - Khile Hain Sakhi Aaj - Grihasthi - Ravi - With Usha Mangeshkar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7W0O2HOZ2I


27. 1963 - Tumhe Husn Deke - Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai - Dattaram -
With Mohd. Rafi & Manna Dey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hllMUpS-MAk


28. 1963 - Hai kaisa yeh rog laga - Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaye - Kalyanji Anandji
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5W-QmLnGCI


29. 1963 - Janeman Ek Nazar Dekh Le - Mere Mehboob - Naushad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEcclUW7BpE


30. 1963 - Mere Mehboob Mein Kya Nahin - Mere Mehboob - Naushad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52jcsA2cDjQ


31. 1964 - Eid Ki Raat - Baaghi - Chitragupta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_wccZz9iG8


32. 1964 - Mubarak Hai Woh Dil - Benazir - Sachin Dev Burman -
With Usha Mangeshkar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OihwBPh_Www


33. 1964 - Sajan Salona - Dooj Ka Chand - Roshan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5A7_DR9yS4


34. 1964 - Jab Jab Tumhe Bhulaya - Jahan Ara - Madan Mohan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxr96G0e1PU


35. 1964 - Aaj Ki Raat Mohabbat Ka Nasha- Phoolon Ki Sej - Adi Narayan Rao
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2cS_aWuF6Y


36. 1964 - Nach Re Man Badkamma - Rajkumar - Shankar Jaikishan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CclAGqK4dOo


37. 1964 - Choone Na Doongi Main Haath - Zindagi - Shankar Jaikishan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa85opZpSdk


38. 1965 - Aankhon Aankhon Mein - Janwar - Shankar Jaikishan


39. 1965 - Aankhon Aankhon Mein (Film Version) - Janwar - Shankar Jaikishan - With Manna Dey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62K80gHPsQs


40. 1966 - Aye Kash Kisi Deewane Ko - Aaye Din Bahar Ke - Laxmikant Pyarelal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou-MQc2GhjY


41. 1966 - Dabe Labon Se Kabhi - Biwi aur Makaan - Hemant Kumar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw-HbX7k98U


42. 1966 - Sun Le Pyar Ki Dushman - Pyar Kiye Jaa - Laxmikant Pyarelal – With Kishore Kumar & Manna Dey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md8v7wPLYBY


43. 1967 - Pad Gaye Jhoole - Bahu Begum - Roshan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2hr39IqH78


44. 1968 - Main Haseena Nazneena - Baazi - Kalyanji Anandji
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni841X11GDE


45. 1968 - Main Chali - Padosan - Rahul Dev Burman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRaAKtNTCCY


46. 1968 - Main Qayamat Hoon - Suhag Raat - Kalyanji Anandji
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBF85my_h_Y


47. 1968 - Humre Aangan Bagiya - Teen Bahuraniyan - Kalyanji Anandji -
With Usha Mangeshkar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj7ZFcNMdJ4


48. 1968 - Mulk Mein Bachchon Ki Gar - Vaasna – Chitragupta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpzcYe-egoY


49. 1969 - Nandkishor Nand Gopal Jhoole - Madhavi - Laxmikant Pyarelal


50. 1969 - Muqabila Humse Na Karo - Prince - Shankar Jaikishan -
With Mohd. Rafi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZB_ywCsNAs


51. 1969 - Jabse Laagi Tose Najariya - Shikar - Shankar Jaikishan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zi843Yi9ws


52. 1970 - Hum Jiyen Ya Maren - Harishchandra Taramati - Hridaynath Mangeshkar - With Usha Mangeshkar


53. 1971 - Aha Le Gayi Jiya Le Gayi - Jwala - Shankar Jaikishan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1DMJd-WQRU


54. 1972 - Tu Tu Badi Qismatwali Hai - Haar Jeet - Laxmikant Pyarelal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W8gHuIcP44


55. 1972 - Man Mandir Mein - Sanjog - Rahul Dev Burman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSdOez3NSP4


56. 1973 - Thirka Badan To Geeton Ke - Daaman Aur Aag - Shankar Jaikishan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szEVgFTWOKc


57. 1973 - Aag Se Aag Bujha Le - Jalte Badan - Laxmikant Pyarelal - With
Laxmikant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPNL_odYEJk


58. 1974 - Dulhan Maike Chali - Manoranjan - Rahul Dev Burman -
With Usha Mangeshkar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC-qP34KR60


59. 1976 - He Maryada Purushottam - Bajrangbali - Kalyanji Anandji
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmJ-XRFOBZQ


60. 1977 - Band Ho Mutthi to Lakh Ki - Dharam Veer - Laxmikant Pyarelal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAXp6frnq9U


61. 1977 - Pyar Bada Hai Ya Jaan - Khel Khiladi Ka - Kalyanji Anandji
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2o2DbxmhvI


62. 1977 - Layi Kahan Hai Zindagi - Taxi Taxi - Hemant Bhosle


63. 1978 - Jhoola Jhulat Kanhaiya Re - Daku Aur Jawan - Laxmikant Pyarelal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onih-TM5hOc


64. 1978 - Tod De Tu Is Bandhan Ko - Dil Aur Deewar - Laxmikant Pyarelal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05sRVwIWAa8


65. 1978 - Kahiye Kahan Se Aana Hua - Heeralal Pannalal - Rahul Dev Burman -
With Kishore Kumar & Bhupinder Singh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrZum3TSpuA


66. 1978 - Chhap Tilak Sab Chhini Re - Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki - Laxmikant Pyarelal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdhMnAveVhY


67. 1978 - Pyar Zindagi Hai - Muqaddar Ka Sikandar - Kalyanji Anandji -
With Mahendra Kapoor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihw1tr2lVHo


68. 1979 - Chhai Chhai Nazar Lag Gayi - Meena Kumari Ki Amar Kahani - Khaiyyam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sz9kY5tzIM


69. 1980 - Sare Shehr Mein - Alibaba Aur 40 Chor - Rahul Dev Burman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zdGPdIRArY


70. 1980 - Deepak Mere Suhaag - Maang Bharo Sajna - Laxmikant Pyarelal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHQQP1MXkqU


71. 1980 - Mitwa Tere Liye Jeena - Shaan - Rahul Dev Burman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZIJkJAtecw


72. 1981 - Paake Akeli Mohe Chhed Raha - Jail Yatra - Rahul Dev Burman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX-f6da71M4


73. 1981 - Duniya Ke Sitam - Khoon Aur Paani - Laxmikant Pyarelal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYtCOp7xGc0


74. 1982 - Lawangi Mirchi - Ashanti - Rahul Dev Burman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvOkZG524_c


75. 1982 - Kisi Ne Prem Ka (Gokul Ki Galiyon Ka) - Raaste Pyar Ke - Laxmikant Pyarelal


76. 1985 - Man Kyun Behka - Utsav - Laxmikant Pyarelal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU6-6E4diYM


77. 1986 - Sun Ri Meri Behna - Swarg Se Sundar - Laxmikant Pyarelal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux_qQorT-eU


78. 1988 - Aaj Ki Raat Meri Gali Mein - Do Waqt Ki Roti - Laxmikant Pyarelal


79. 1993 - Aaina Hai Mera Chehra - Aaina - Dilip Sen Sameer Sen -
With Suresh Wadkar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unhz3QRfKSo


80. 1997 - Katha Ye Ram Ki - Lav Kush - Raamlaxman


81. 1997 - Nanha Munna Aayega - Lav Kush - Raamlaxman - With Usha Mangeshkar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mTkPndl1n0


82. 1997 - Pativrata Siya - Lav Kush - Raamlaxman


83. 1997 - Pita Vachan Ka Palan - Lav Kush - Raamlaxman - With Suresh Wadkar


84. 1997 - Suno Suno Mere Bhai - Lav Kush - Raamlaxman


85. 1997 - Varnan Karen Kya Maiya - Lav Kush - Raamlaxman

NON-FILMI
87. 2000 - Kahin Kahin Se Har Chehra - Dill Kahin Hosh Kahin (Non-Filmi) - Adesh Shrivastava - With Jagjit Singh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQpfAWeXHnc


88. Jana Gana Mana Adhinayak Jaya He
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3TtgYuaVFk

THE LAST WORD IN MUSIC MAKING !

What do I write about a man who has done absolute justice to precisely every genre of music.. about a phenomenon whose music was way ahead of its times.. about a genius who probably holds the distinction of being the only composer composing music in as many as 10 Indian languages (Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Assamese, Gujarati, Oriya and Marathi).. about a magician whose music transcends us into a complete alien world by reaching some amazingly stratospheric heights of creative genius.. SALIL CHAUDHARY means all this and much much more !

I am absolutely dumb-struck by the way Salilda fuses his tunes and moulds them effortlessly in the requirements of the various languages.. for me he was THE MAN who proved that music knows no boundaries ! And that is precisely what I would love to highlight in this post...
Here is a set of tunes he used in as many as 4 Indian languages... 4 languages which are phonetically and characteristically different than each other.. and what is outstandingly brilliant is that fact that though the tune structure remains the same, each song stands its ground firmly.. solidly !

This tune was first made and used for the KANNADA film Samasayaphala (1971) where Ku.ra.Seetharama Shastry wrote 'Harusha Doorada Mearu..', sung by P.Susheela.
Here, the use of the Sitar, Tabla, Flute, Violins makes it sound extremely fresh..the tempo of this song is something that is class.. Tabla outstanding (mark the symphony at M2)

In response to this came the next song in HINDI where Latadi sang 'Madbhari Ye Hawayein..', penned by Gulzar for Anokha Daan (1972)
That prelude kills, the highlight here are the Flute pieces. Mark the racing Violins in the interludes. Again the Tabla spells magic.

The third time this tune was used was in MALAYALAM for the film Devdasi (1978) where Sabita Chowdhary sang 'Ini Varu Ten Nilaave..' penned by ONV Kurup.
This version is something starkly different than the first two. Its softer, more classical-ish, more slower in tempo. The Flute and Tabla ofcourse mark there presence with aplomb.. what takes the cake are the Sitar pieces. Fabulous !

The fourth time this tune was used was in Salilda's home-pitch BENGALI in 1980 as a private recording by Sabita Chowdhary as 'Aar Kichu Naai Mone..'
Again Salilda gives it a different feel. The interludes are the highlights here..he adds a completely different sound to it with keeping all the basic ingredients the same.. the Tabla remains the attraction point once again but the way he has weaved this song which the subtle changes from the classical-ang to the slightly western sound is terrific !

.. and yes, this is what makes him SIR Salil !
He very truly never got his due IMO.. he is never discussed when people talk about reformations and changes and renaissance in HFM.. Salilda gave HFM a new face.. the freshness, the life, the truthfulness in his tunes is something that has boldly written his name in the annals of Hindi Film Music. There is so much to him apart from Madhumati and Parakh.. there are so many angles and facets to this mind-boggling personality.. SalilDa deserves and rightfully so, a place in the highest rungs of music history. Hats off to this true-blue legend.. a master !!

GULZAR.. Basking in the bask of Boskiyana !

नाम सोचा ना था, है की नहीं
'अमाँ' कहके बुला लिया इक ने
'ए जी' कहके बुलाया दूजे ने
'अबे ओ' यार लोग कहतें हैं
जो भी यूँ जिस किसी के जी आया
उसने वैसे ही बस पुकार लिया..

तुमनें इक मोड़ पर अचानक जब
मुझको 'गुलज़ार' कहके दी आवाज़
एक सीपी से खुल गया मोती
मुझको एक मानी मिल गए जैसे
आह ! ये नाम खुबसूरत हैं
फिर मुझे नाम से बुलाओ तो..

Its said that a poet or a writer becomes one amongst the top league when he is capable of giving himself a suitable sobriquet.. and who better than Gulzar sa'ab to symbolize this.. he is not just a legendary filmmaker, but is a sensitive one.. he is not just a terrific lyricist, but is a contemporary one.. he is not just an articulate story-teller, but is an evocative one.. and above all he is not just a magical poet, but is a passionate one..

वो जो शायर था चुप-सा रहता था
बहकी-बहकी-सी बातें करता था
आँखें कानों पे रख के सुनता था
गूँगी खामोशियों की आवाज़ें!

जमा करता था चाँद के साए
और गीली- सी नूर की बूँदें
रूखे-रूखे- से रात के पत्ते
ओक में भर के खरखराता था

वक़्त के इस घनेरे जंगल में
कच्चे-पक्के से लम्हे चुनता था
हाँ वही, वो अजीब- सा शायर
रात को उठ के कोहनियों के बल
चाँद की ठोड़ी चूमा करता था..

Guess in this aforesaid poem, Gulzar sa'ab epitomizes himself and how eloquently does he do that ! To quote Bhooshan Banmali : “A poet is a conch-shell that gives voice to the emotions. A lyricist sings of dreams. A visionary is a painter who plays with rainbows. A thinker ponders upon human relationships like a monk who holds council with the trees of forest. A rare blend of all these is Gulzar."

He is diverse yet he co-joins every emotion.. he is hard hitting yet he playfully touches the sensitive chords of every heart.. he is authentic yet he makes us believe that he is penning our words.. he is complicated yet easily emotes the truest of human emotions with ease.. he is the man who makes us lose track of everything and also the one who leads us to the correct path of thought.
Gulzar sa'ab embellishes, enhances, enchants, encompasses, embarks and emphasizes every emotion of life with its encoring empathy.

Just look back to the past 40 years and you will find his presence in every special moment of your life.. he played with us in our childhood through his songs, witnessed our romantic moments with his shayari, stood by us in tough times with his positive stories.. emotionally moved us, thoughtfully challenged us, artistically expanded our horizons and in the end made us believe that 'Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchhan Hain..' and remained with us in this journey from being to becoming like an incandescent light.

His works are not confined to specifications, he is the like the flowing breeze.. his sensitivities and sensibilities are unique, he is like the norm effacing constructor (In his own words, "I did not start from literature, but met a maikhana on the way. Still I kept writing..").. his existence can not be overlooked, we have experienced his craft over the television screen, his masterstrokes on the silver-screen, his brilliance on our bookshelves.. he makes every place his own.. and rightfully so we have given him a place on the highest pedestal in our hearts.

Its rightfully said, that "Gulzar’s lyrics transcend social barriers, be it a rickshaw-puller or a Sufi saint, he touches them both. The lyrics are not about words or rhythms, but about interpreting the world.".. and what more this journey of glory and creating something reverent in this already dilapidated world is still at its peak.. he makes the youth groove but still regales the yesteryear generation with his writing panache.

(acknowledgment to 'प्रीत Ji to candidly permit me to use these lines from her wall.. originally written by another Gulzar-ian bhakt Shivam Sharma ).

रोज़ की बात नहीं, ऐसा कुछ एक बार होता है,
अल्फाजों को जब एक शख्स से प्यार होता है,

मीर-ओ-ग़ालिब जब सींचते हैं खुद इक गुलशन को,
तो सदियों बाद कहीं एक 'गुलज़ार' होता है.

So obviously enough, its impossible to capture this man under one frame coz he has been versatile, vibrant and voluminous in his resplendent repertoire.. but here is an honest attempt to do so.. Gracious, Glorifying Gulzar for an hour.. his words, his voice, his songs.. the magic continues with the master is still at creating masterpieces, magically !

Gulzar Saab - 50 Years Of Glory - The Journey Of Songs.!!!!!!

Gulzar - The Bard Of Bollywood.!!!!

THE SANGEET MARTAND.. THE JASRAJ !

For me today its like home-coming ! Pt. Jasraj is probably the only classical vocalist who I have heard literally every year for the past 15 years ! His voice is reminiscent of all the bejeweled memories that I have had in my 'kaanseni' career so far.. Panditji has been an integral part in value addition to my love for music. His performances at the Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav (now the Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav) have been my moments of feeling the presence of peaceful soothing rain over an impatient wait for an year by the earth.. year after year with the same intensity, same effect and same trans !

Pandit Ji started weaving his magic long back.. and digging the collections fetched me what is his first ever LP record which features some amazing raag's rendered by young Jasraj with elan.

Raag Nat Bhairav (Chadhiye Mulukh Sultana..) :
http://www.divshare.com/download/19178454-a8b
Raag Hansdhwani (Pawan Putra Hanuman..) :
http://www.divshare.com/download/19178393-337
Raag Shudha Bairadi (Kunj Bihari Thari Re Bansuri..) :
http://www.divshare.com/download/19178523-295

But my connection, as I said, with Pandit Ji started in 1992 when I was hardly 3 years old, but as I have time and again said here, that this year and the performances it witnessed at the Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav were life-changing for me and Panditji's Ahir Bhairav was certainly one of them. His Bhairav Bahar in 1996 was our next meeting and then there was no looking back. we met every year in a different terrain, in a different trance, in a different tranquility.. be it the Ramkali of 1998, Basant of 1999, Jaijaiwanti of 2002 and 2007, Jog of 2003 and 2009, Darbari Kanada of 2004 and 2005 (which are BEST EVER Darbari Kanada's I have heard.. still gives me goosebumps while typing this) have all been reasons why I can sit here and type this with his heavenly voice reverberating in my ears, giving me ample reasons to feel thankful to have ears to absorb the magic !

His strong command over all the three and half octaves, the feeling you have in your stomach when he reaches the 'mandra shaDja', the clarity of diction in his singing, the way he uses Sanskrit in his songs and yet makes them sound not very hard-hitting, the ability to transport you from your place to heaven, the ease in his taans, the impeccable elaborations of the khayal, the studious play with the taal, the careful dissection of any raag while elaborating on its beauty spots, the creation of a certain mood and swing in the singing by taking the audience in the strand and making them feel as if they are singing, the way he looses himself when he gets into the mood.. nothing can replicate or replenish that sight and that feeling ! Pandit Jasraj has not only been a connoisseur of the art of singing, he has been the torch-bearer in spreading bliss through his singing.

A simple example which shows his mettle is the fact that his singing can make an atheist like me believe in the heavenly power when he renders :
Govind Damodar Madhav Yeti (full 30 minutes) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2St5_AMls4

Om Namoh Bhagwate Vasudevay :
Part 1 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-L1MONqWHI&feature=related
Part 2 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taEfmqkNeIk&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLE6FD07B17776F127
Part 3 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR0OLCNKuaw&feature=autoplay&list=PLE6FD07B17776F127&playnext=2

May this nearly unreal energy of his and his strength to generate that very energy in the audience remain unfazed for years to come.. he is just reached 82, and before he gets any more younger.. lets all bow down to this legend, this miraculous singer ! Pandit Jasraj's singing has always made me associate it with the light in a dark tunnel, the pole star in the star-less sky, the light-house in the swollen sea.. listening to him is a lifetime opportunity.. coz he makes you believe in the honesty of life and that is because he is true to his art !

JAI HO ! JAI HO ! JAI HO !

(20 july 2012)

Na Hui, Na Hai, Na Hogi

How do you feel when you see a lotus blooming in the distasteful mud pond ? How do you feel when you see a child gleaming with laughter in all the cacophony around ? How do you feel when a cool pleasant breeze hits you on a hot, sweaty summer day ? How do you feel when you hear a soulful Flute or a stirring Sitaar piece in a cloud of symphonous din ? That very emotion that arises after getting to witness something that one doesnt expect or doesnt hope to see / feel / listen is the emotion that keeps one going.. our Hindi film music, especially of today, is a house to such emotions. .. and why am I saying this ? This is the reason ! http://gaana.com/#!/songs/hame-ranjo-gum-se हमें रंझ-ओ-ग़म से फ़ुर्सत.. ना हुई, ना हैं, ना होगी, कभी ख़त्म ये मुसीबत.. ना हुई, ना हैं, ना होगी | कहीं और जाईयेगा के ये मैकदा हेना से, यहाँ कारगर नसीहत.. ना हुई, ना हैं, ना होगी | जिसे दिल से मैंने चाहा उसे बेवफा मैं कह दूँ, मेरे दिल की ऐसी जुर्रत.. ना हुई, ना हैं, ना होगी | ये समझ लिया हैं मैंने के ख़ुदा हैं मेरा मुझसे, किसी और की इबादत.. ना हुई, ना हैं, ना होगी | मेरे शेर सुनके अक्सर वो ये कह उठे हैं 'मुज़्तर', तेरे दूर दूर शोहरत.. ना हुई, ना हैं, ना होगी | There are these moments in this wonderful film music of our country that makes it laudable.. that gives us every possible reason to love it more and more.. that never lets us loose hope even in distress.. Thank you so much Madhushree (wish you were around more !) and Nana Patekar for creating something that made me fumble for words. Thank you Mohan Khan for building up an ambiance that has made me fall in love with my headphones all over again. Thank you Muztar for authenticizing this eternal genre in times when people had started overlooking it.. # Restoring Faith in Good Film Music # Redefining Bliss

Dara Singhji and Madan Mohanji were great friends. Madanji was very proud of his physique and very often joked with Dara Singhji that he had better muscles. Dara Singhji invited Madanji very often to his wrestling programmes (before he joined films) as chief guest and we kids were very enamoured with this very strong gentleman who had the smile of a child. May his soul rest in peace. ( i remember once when he came home to sign Madanji as music director for his film, I thought if he sat on the stool he had chosen, it would break, and tried keeping him on sitting on it - such a foolish thought of a silly child)

The gentleman on the right is Saudagar Singh the famous wrestler at the same time as Dara Singh. and madan mohan with dara singh (in middle)
( by :sangeeta gupta ji on sangeet ke sitare)

इक बार चले आओ !

फिर आके चले जाना इक बार चले आओ,

सूरत तो दिखा जाओ, इक बार चले आओ |

तुमको मेरे गीतों का संगीत बुलाता है,
कुछ गीत मेरे सुन लो कुछ अपने सुना जाओ |

जो तुम बुलाएं फिर तुम शौक से मत आना,
किस बात पे रूठे हो इतना तो बता जाओ |

क्या दिल के तड़पने का एहसास नहीं तुमको,
अब जान पे बन आई लिल्लाह चले आओ...

If at all Ghazal gayaki had a voice.. it was this voice !
If at all music seemed straight to be transcended from heavens above.. it was because of this voice ! If at all honestly in singing existed.. it was in this voice ! But, today this honest singing voice has risen through all shackles of life to reach the zenith.. the heavens above !

No words can suffice to the feeling that exudes from one'e heart when MEHDI HASSAN in his charismatic voice hits the first sur. His voice in itself is so complete and all-encompassing that no instrument, no co-singer, no able help was ever required. (No wonder he probably holds the record for singing the most solos in Pakistani / Punjabi films amongst male singers.. 492 solos out of 626 released film songs). His voice, as Latadi had once said was indeed the 'Voice of God'.. and God is indeed omnipresent and self-sufficient. So much has Mehdi sa'ab given to us, his music lovers through his music that each emotion of our life has his voice etched in it and thereby attached to us deeply. Ghazals reached and received the true blue royal status courtesy this 'Shahenshah-e-ghazal'.

Though being a part of a rich legacy of music, this music wizard had his share of struggles through his life (was a car mechanic in the very early stages of his life).. but only the strong paves its way through turmoil and Mehdi sa'ab rose like a phoenix to take the world not just by storm, but also by his charm. Not just a tremendous singer, but the master composer that he was, this maestro made every piece of art that he laid his hands on, a masterpiece !

If his singing was clear and precise, his compositions were technically correct and apt.. if his singing was balanced yet variegated, his compositions were structured yet free-flowing. Be it his film songs, his ghazals, his Punjabi songs, his Thumri's.. Mehdi Hasan stomped his mark with panache in every field of work. His uncompromising correct pronunciation of words, his unfathomable ability of expressing every word, his ability to make melody out of a ghazal, his adding life to his craft.. he indeed was an institution of music, a landmark in art.

But today everything seems to have come to a standstill.. by every passing word that I write, the screen seems to become more and more blurred and hazy.. Some human beings are created just to make other mere mortals believe in immortality.. Mehdi Hasan is one such gem.. immortal, impeccable, imbibed in every breath of every musical soul.

How do you pay tribute to someone who has given you so much ? Amongst all his songs, what is constantly ringing in my head is this last song of his which he recorded in Pakistan in 2009 and which crossed the boundaries in 2010, to reach the hands of Maa Saraswati herself. This confluence of two oceans reigns in my heart.. today and forever..

To the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz,


ये तेरा लम्स है कीज़िन्दगी है
तुझे छू लूँ तो दिल जिंदा लगे है..

Pandit Ravishankar : THE PRAEMIUM IMPERIALE OF MUSIC !!

I honestly wonder at times if its really possible for someone to infuse life into an inanimate, non-living object ? Is it possible that we feel bliss every time a string is plucked ? How true is it that an instrument made out of wood can transfix us in our seats for hours together and quite literally elevate us to a world which rightfully explains the meaning of words like 'purity', 'enchantment', 'marvel', 'peace', 'tranquility' ? But then I realized, all this is the magic of the hands that work on the instrument.. it is the magic of Pt. Ravishankar !


A man who not just set standards in Hindustani Music but extended them to stretch the horizons on World Music. A name revered in very part of the world not as an instrumentalist who played Sitar in the best possible way, but also as a World face of music by writing concerti for sitar and orchestra. He truly made Sitar global ! His association with George Harrison, for example, was in a way a pioneering step in the setting and creating something new, the raga rock trend ! He just created music, quite literally all his life.. which began with a bang with this debut album back in 1956, 'The Three Ragas' !


Raag Jog : 


Raag Ahir Bhairav :


Raag Simhendra Madhyamam : 


.. and today after all the tapasya of all these decades, of venturing into all kinds and genres and forms and styles of music, after composing impeccable music for Indian and also for western films, from performing in front of literally all kinds and creeds of audiences from all over the planet, from collaborating with artists that World Music salutes and as a result create that life-enriching music, from being the proud owner of highest dignified awards from all the various countries in the world, from teaching new students the art and craft of the Ravi Shankar-form of music, from being a reason of the ecstasy each music listener experiences with each pluck of the Sitar string in that resplendent alaap - jor - jhala style.. Pandit Ravishankar's music still stands strong thrashing away the confinements of the boundaries of age, time, region, religion, race and culture.


His Sitar has been an embodiment of every human emotion possible, a mirror of every minute flicker of the human sense of being alive. His Sitar can make the abstract, obvious ! My post today is related to his enchanting elaborate exposition to the explicit expressions of human mind.. his album, 'Transmigration Macabre' (which his composed for the British Art Film, 'Viola')


Madness : 


Fantasy :


Anxiety :



Torment :


Submission : 


Death : 


Transmigration : 


Retribution :


Reflection : 


This is a journey of life and Pandit Ravishankar effectively and evocatively becomes a part of it.. long live this man who made us proud to be an Indian and feel lucky to have witnessed something extraordinary ! Time to sit back and lose yourself in the ambiance and vicinity of peace and the realm of heavenly tranquility !

"experiment with voices" -Khayyam

More than anything, what interests me in this maestro's career is his abundant and varied use of playback singers.. and mostly, alongwith the A-list singers ofcourse, he always had one odd song per film reserved for the singers which were which rarely used by others.

Be it Kavita Gandhari in Heer Ranjha or Ashima Banerjee in Footpath, Kaumudi Munshi in Shola aur Shabnam, Sulakshana Pandit in Sankalp / Sandhya, Pamela Chopra in Kabhie Kabhi / Noorie, Rekha in Ek Naya Rishta, Parvati Khan in Parbat ke Us Paar, or be it poetry albums in the voices of Meenakumari or be it this post of mine.. an entire film soundtrack sung by Shabana Azmi.. ANJUMAN (1986)

Apart from the dulcet Khayyam - Jagjit Kaur duet, 'Kab Yaad Mein Tera Saath..', this film had this lovely duo song sung by Shabana and Bhupendra (though Shabana sounds a bit harsh as compared to Bhupendra's silken voice, but that doesnt take anything away from the song). This is the Khayyam I always knew, this is the Khayyam that has always stuck with me! Shankar Hussain (1977) to Ek Naya Rishta (1988) was IMO Khayyam's most intriguing and melodic period.

शायद खय्याम साहब की तर्जें हमसे यही कहती होगी..

मैं तेरे साथ रहूँगा वफ़ा की राहों में
ये अहद है न मेरे दिल से तू जुदा होगा..


EXTRA SHORTS :

Pyar Ki Baatein(1951) should be their first one...Lata sang 2 songs in Pyar Ki Baatein for Khayyam Saheb.
the the 3 songs of Pyar Ki Baatein and Gul Sanobar are the only songs she sang for him in the 1950s (apart from the unreleased Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke)

What is even more interesting is the fact that even after the bumper hits in Aakhri Khat in 1966, the next song that Lata sang for Khayyam came 10 years later, in 1976 with Kabhie Kabhi !! And after that she sang nearly in each of his films (excpet ofcourse Umrao Jaan, Ahista Ahista, Mehndi and Anjuman) till 1988. So, we had around 25-27 songs in the first 28 years of their association and a whooping (as in regards to this pair) in the next 12 !!

the mis communicatio happened during Heer Ranjha

SONG:

Gulab Jism Ka - Shabana Azmi, Bhupindar Singh Anjuman 1986

Be thy own palace or the world's thy jail. - John Donne

Being in a prison / jail / custody / captivity is no doubt torturous and negative.. but there are some moments in our life with captivate us and we feel safe being in someone's custody!

पंछी से छुडाकर उसका घर, तुम अपने घर पर ले आये,
ये प्यार का पिंजरा मन भाया, हम जी भर भर कर मुस्काये,
जब प्यार हुआ इस पिंजरे से, तुम कहने लगे आज़ाद रहो..
हम कैसे भुलाएँ प्यार तेरा, तुम अपनी जुबां से ये न कहो
अब तुमसा जहाँ में कोई नहीं है, हम तो तुम्हारे हो बैठे,
तुम कहते हो के ऐसे प्यार को भूल जाओ,
हम तेरे प्यार में सारा आलम खो बैठे...

Stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage.
Feel free.. feel loved..

by - apoorv

Personally for me, this song is something that brings in a barrage of emotions with amazement at the deep impact it has on me.. Not many songs can make you feel at peace.. this one certainly does! The first frame with the sun rays peeping through the trees and showering their immense love on mother earth is in itself soothing.. Mannada's crisp, clear sur adds to the charm.. and the words that flow alongwith are something that can revive any dead emotion. Honestly, there can be nothing beautiful than the sun that rises and the sur than relivens!! The Tabla and Sitar creats an ambiance that can elevate any depresses soul on the face of this earth. Laxmi Shankar and Nirmala Devi join in with some 'sureel' sargam and some 'bol parang'.. (A note for the beautiful camera work by Jaywant Pathare on 'Dharti Bhi Jhoome..', the way the camera zooms in and out, makes you feel the words.) Harindranath Chattopadhyay joins in and preaches some very simple yet precisely important facts of life and there are these words which just reach through the channels of the human heart to reach and reside in its deepest crevice.

देखो कहता है तुमसे सवेरा, छोड़ो छोड़ो भी ये तेरा मेरा
फूटी गगरी लिए फिर रहे है,
मिलके नहीं पीते थे जो पानी जो भी करना है आज करलो,
याद रखो जोगी की ये बानी, के पलटती नहीं है समय की ये धरा..

And then to add to the zing to the mood, Kishoreda steps in with some zazzy, zangy, zippy swirls.. the Guitar strums, the frolic, the mirth.. just makes you feel like living. And what happens after that is BLISS!! If there is any instrument that brings a broad broad broad smile to my face and immense satisfaction to my mind, its Sitar.. and if there is any Sitar piece that testimonies to this emotion of mine, it comes now.. the 'tarana' at the end has tears rolling down incessantly from my eyes with a smile on my face.. what better a mood elevator than this can it be.. what else is happiness in life than this? How do I even express what that feeling is when there are tears of pure, rich joy and true, blue bliss? If there is a song that exudes all those feelings in me, it is this Madan Mohan composed-Kaifi Azmi, Gulzar, Harindranath Chattopadhyay penned-Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar, Laxmi Shankar, Nirmala Devi, Harindranath Chattopadhyay sung-Rajesh Khanna, Jaya Bhaduri, Manisha, Durga Khote, Asrani, Usha Kiran, Harindranath Chattopadhyay, A.K.Hangal, Master Raju enacted song from Bawarchi (1972). Music is something that makes you feel alive and such songs make you experience that emotion of being alive again and again.. Life is beautiful as is said, it has its tipsy-topsy, topsy-turvy turns, but at the end what is important is..

दर्द के हर मंज़र को ख़ुशी में बदलो तो बात है,
ग़म की आहों में भी ख़ुशनुमाई भरो तो बात है,
इम्तेहाँ ख़ुदा हर वक़्त हालात-ए-वक़्त से ले रहा,
नाकामी से ना डरो, मुसीबतों से भी हँसके मिलो तो बात है|

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IR-kb7mr1s

DAF KAHE KO BAJAYE.... /डफ काहे को बजाये -बेगम अख्तर

डफ बाज्यो है छैल मतवारे को
डफ बाज्यो है ........
Daf and the month of Faagun has a romantic and musical relationship in the Braj and its neighbouring areas. Come Faagun and the rhythmic, reverberating and beckoning beats of Daf along with the voice of Faag singers are their in the Faaguni air every evening. The Faag is sung in this area during the Faagun till the colorful festival of Holi arrives. These sessions of Faag singing are a regolar event in Krishna Temples, in Mohalla Chauks and even in the Aangans of individual homes.
'Aate hee faagun ya braj mein sahi hon lagi fauaan ki baaten......' , or ' Faagun aayo fauno ranga de rasiya .....' and 'Jasoda tero Laalaa bado utpati....' in the rasiya mode can be listened and enjoyed every where. The Rasiya, Chhailaa, Laalaa, and Bhayala in thess rasiyas is always the krishna and the songs are a kind of beckoning to the Gopis. I born in Karauli which bosts of having one or more Krishna temples in every street of the town have spent my entire Childhood and adolescent years listening to these beauties.
The most common, popular and loved Faag in these sessions always used to be ' Daf bajyo hai chhail Matwaare ko.......' and the Guonj of this daf has its impact on the one to whime it was addressed can be felt in the lyrics of this Faag which are like this:-

Daf bajyo hai chhail matwaare ko daf bajyo hai ..
Daf ke baje mero sab ghar haale
Halyo hai khambha tiwaare ko daf bajyo hai...
Daf kee dhamak mero tan man haale
Haalyo hai jhubbaa naare ko
Daf bajyo hai chhail matwaare ko.....

And this Daf and its Goonj when reached inside the recording studios those days, though in a some what modified lyrics as a beckoning call to the beloved where it became a response from the beloved as ' Daf kahe ko bajaye main to aavat rahee daf kahe ko........' ,

And when this response to the daf of The Chhail Matwaara took its shape in one of the most graceful, 'Lochdaar' and Sozful voices of our time the one and only Begum Akhtar , the effect was stunning. I have listened many live renditions of this Faag those year in Karauli and it is not possible the kind of impact it used to creat without the deep reverberating beats of daf but this rendition by Begum Akhtar is in a class of its own.

This is one of the most rarely heard Faags sung by Begum Akhtar , and i am sharing it here at this wonderful musical space SKS, for the die hard fans of music and Begum Akhtar .



-by Arun mudgal ji

(mp3 link)

A special day.. a day which adds another page of music in the book of our life.. the leap day! And for this special day, its bound that we do something special.. sitting down 'leaping with joy' while writing a post which is very close to my heart !!

I have mentioned this at a few places before, but can proudly reiterate it when I say that if there are any two voices that I have heard the most after my mother's voice they have to be of LATA MANGESHKAR and ASHA BHOSLE. I cant trace back my memory to the first day when I heard them, coz the time since when I held senses they were there to hold my hand and walk me through my life. They were there around when I was in the cradle, they had their existence embarked on my mother's lips when I was in her lap, they were my playmates when I was growing up, my adolescence was accompanied by the froth and frolic of their divine voices, the sad moments went by leaving me with soothing calmness when theses two voices came floating by. Not one moment of my life has been a non-witness of the magic of these two heavenly voices.

Today, I want to share my moments of extreme happiness and joy when these two musical oceans confluence. Its something inexplicable, beyond words of mere mortal like me to even start expressing about the innumerable twinkles of joy that flutter past me when two of the most perfect voices pitch up together. Hereby are 5 such songs, which make me go gaga over everything in life.. which make me realize the worth of my ears.. which make me feel blessed that I am honored to live in that era where two God-send voices dwell.

I faintly remember the first time I had heard Latadi and Ashatai together, it was this HMV cassette that me and my mother had bought titled 'Mann Bhavan Ke Ghar' featuring 11 of the Lata-Asha duets. (I further went on to hear 86 of the 87 songs Latadi and Ashatai have sung together and however the song, as I certainly believe that there could have been songs made which could have showcased their real talent as compared to what exists, and I have always had tears of immense joy in my eyes).. so reminiscing those days with my cassette and exploring the most loved topic for me in HFM once again.

1. जब जब तुम्हे भुलाया तुम और याद आये.. (जहाँ आरा - १९६४), राजेंद्र कृष्ण, मदन मोहन
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy4Ma4q9Ao4



This by far is the BEST Latasha song IMO. It is one of those songs which is just Perrrrrfect! Both Lata and Asha by 1964 had their own distinctive styles and they were in top gear in the best of their voices.
The adlib wherein Lata sounds like a dew drop in fresh misty air is supported by the crispy, chirpy voice of Asha. They match each other harkat for harkat.. and especially the antras when one line gives way to another in a ascending fashion and both of them making it sound as if its a cakewalk. Asha's 'Chhaye Rahe Nazar Mein..' is imprinted on our minds and hearts forever whereas Lata's evocative singing with impeccable voice modulations is heart-piercing.
Madan Mohan and his penchant Sitar is like the 'teesra ang' of this song. If the adlib is soft and precise, the interludes are clear and sharp. Rajendra Krishna as usual has made a song embedded with words that remain in memory forever. One of the only two songs, the Mangeshkar sisters recorded together as a song for Madan Mohan.. but remains my top favourite ever!!

2. क्या हुआ ये मुझे क्या हुआ.. (जिस देश में गंगा बहती हैं - १९६०), हसरत जयपुरी, शंकर-जयकिशन
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7INIgOHCb8


How much do I talk about the OUTSTANDING camaraderie between the two stupendous sisters ? This is chemistry !! This is what singing together is ! An exhibition of absolute flawless singing! No one would have enjoyed this song better than Latadi and Ashatai themselves ! They were on fire!
The way Latadi fades and Ashatai picks up and vice versa is just from some other planet! The 'murkis', 'harkats', 'nakhra' all this is so evident that you swirl and swing to the beat of this song! Latadi's subtle expressions and Ashatai's commanding taan's is a delight! The teasing, the naughtiness, the 'uchhal' in the voice is jaw-dropping! A fast-paced, rapid song yet extremely high on the expression quotient! The 'Aaye Hai', 'Oye Hoye', 'Chal Hat', 'Jhooth' is so cute that your heart melts !!!
Dont Miss Latadi's 'haye' at the end of the second stanza.. and Ashatai's lighting taan when she picks up behind Latadi in the third stanza.. uff!!
Shankar-Jaikishan were the first composers who used these sisters most prolifically in their initial days.. and what an output! The use of the Accordion, Piano and the huge orchestration makes the song delectable to the core! These two voices are the most complementing voices in the world. Gosh! I am already on a high.

3. मेहा आओ रे घिर घिर के छाओ रे.. (संगीत सम्राट तानसेन - १९६२), शैलेन्द्र, एस.एन.त्रिपाठी
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLiwzPf-Cn8


If you are looking for eternal bliss.. this is it! This is the genre of songs had these two singing sensations sung together more we would have had nothing but pearls dropping from every song. This singing is something that makes them Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle! The ease with which they fuse in each other, the fluidity in expanding Megh Malhar through the song, they ascend of the song is just picture perfect. This song literally grows on you.. it starts with Mannada's support and then at a point of time all hell breaks lose.. and then there is ecstasy, there is literally the 'barsaat of sur' from everywhere and we seamlessly get wet in the rain with drops of amrut dripping over us. The taans at the end shouldnt be expressed in words.. they should just be heard and get melted in.
S.N.Tripathi, though lost the race with time, won our hearts with many of his compositions and this one is the pinnacle of glory. A treat from to the human ear from Gods own voices!

4. मन क्यों बहका री बहका आधी रात को.. (उत्सव - १९८६), वसंत देव, लक्ष्मीकांत-प्यारेलाल
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Aysaoj8MTA

Soft.. Simple.. Serene.. Soothing.. this is one of those of songs which has no mood barriers.. you can listen to it absolutely whenever you wish to. It is one of those songs which makes you stop and take notice, and applaud! Latadi and Ashatai and the Ghatam.. that creates an ambiance which makes your face glow up with glee. Mid 80s, but the quality of music in this song is of the highest order in every note of the song. The way both Latadi and Ashatai have specifically pronounced the words in this song with an additional crispy touch to it is the spice of the song.
If they can sing intricate layakari, gayaki aang songs.. they can effortlessly merge in the soul of such soft melodious songs. The last stanza where there is no music, but just Lata.. makes you feel like listening to this song in a loop.. Asha's absolutely soft yet slightly sensuous singing gets the edge and the charm of the song.
Vasant Dev's cutesy lyrics and Laxmikant-Pyarelal's differently stylized, non-orchestral music shows their class.. a pick for any season!

5. ओ चाँद जहाँ वो जाए.. (शारदा - १९५७), राजेंद्र कृष्ण, सी.रामचंद्र
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpCl-aZ2kfs
..

and a song from THE era of music in HF! The era when absolutely nothing can go wrong in any form of music / singing / poetry.. and when we have a team of Lata-Asha-Rajendra Krishna-C.Ramachandra, things are bound to be beyond perfection. Lata in her mellifluous, melodic, mind-blowing avatar, Asha probably in her Sudhir Phadke hangover yet bang on.. this song is probably the most liked of the sister duets.. and rightly so!
Romance personified and when it is expatiated and elaborated by two most romantic voices, it is just a moment of closing your eyes and losing the trace of time, feeling nothing but a state of trance. Songs like this are made just once and then their mould is broken forever..


6. सखी री सुन बोले पपीहा उस पार.. (मिस मेरी - १९५७), राजेंद्र कृष्ण, हेमंत कुमार
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ams96ncdegY


7. मैं चली मैं चली देखो प्यार की गली.. (पड़ोसन - १९६८), राजेंद्र कृष्ण, आर.डी.बर्मन
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szFxM9KBNMA



8. अजी चले आओ तुम्हे आँखों ने दिल में बुलाया.. (हलाकू - १९५६), हसरत जयपुरी, शंकर-जयकिशन
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSd3vCeLGxc


9. थिरका बदन तो गीतों के धारे निकल गए.. (दमन और आग - १९७३), हसरत जयपुरी, शंकर-जयकिशन
http://mp3skull.com/mp3/badan_ke.html
(Third song in this link, YouTube had a nice link of it which is accidently removed)

10. लायी कहाँ ऐ ज़िंदगी.. (टैक्सी टैक्सी - १९७७), मजरूह सुल्तानपुरी, हेमंत भोसले
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMakSbL9qUI


I can go on and on on this topic forever, but as of now leaving you with the two voices who have become a part of our mere being.. an inseparable, nondetachable part affixed to the deepest crevices of our heart.. all that can be done is relished and lost in this mesmerizing storm of excellence in art and brilliance in expression.. Latadi and Ashatai.. hats off !! Thank you for making our lives, worth living !!

Lata's JHOOLA / SWING songs !!

Latadi's voice has the reverberant feel to it that we tend to swing on the sur and sway on the taal.. the 'khanak' in the voice is so prominent that each one of us drools over it.. so lets actually see the songs which have that 'swinging' effect to it..

1.  Pad gaye jhoole sawan rut aayi…

(Bahu Begam- 1966), Sahir Ludhiyanvi Roshan

 2.  Jhoole me pawanke aayi bahar…

(Baiju Bawara-1952), Shakeel Badayuni, Naushad

3.  Kuch keheta hai ye sawan…

(Mera Gaon Mera Desh-1971) Anand Bakshi, Laxmikant Pyarelal.

4.  Haye Haye ye majboori…

(Roti Kapada Aur Makan- 1974), Varma malik, Laxmikant Pyarelal.

5.  Jhula Jhulat Kanhiya….

(Daku Aur Jawan-1978), , Laxmikant Pyarelal.

6.  Aaya sawan jhoomake….

(Aaya Sawan Jhoomake-1969),Anand bakshi, Laxmikant Pyarelal.

7.  Megha re megha re…

(Lamehe-1991), Ananad Bakshi, Shiv Hari

8.  Neela aasama so gaya….

(Silsila-1981), Javed Akhtar, Shiv Hari.

9.  Sarase saraki Saraki chunariya

(Silsila-1981), Hassan Kamal, Shiv Hari.

10. Aaja re aaja more sajana…

(Jalawa- 1971), , Shankar Jaikishan

11. Suno Sajana Papihene….

(Aaye Din Baharke-1966), Anand bakshi,  Laxmikant Pyarelal.

12. Sunja aa thandi hawa…

(Hathi Mere Sathi-1971), Anand bakshi , Laxmikant Pyarelal

13. Koi batade dil hai jaha….

(Mai Chup Rahoongi-1971), Rajendra Krishan, Chitragupta.

14. Sawanki aayi bahar re….

(Anjaan-1956), Rajendra Krishan, Hemant Kumar

15. Lagi tumase lagan sthi chootene….

(Saranga-1960), Bharat Vyas, Sardar Mallik

16. Thandi thandi hawa kahe….

(Bhai Bhai-1956), Madan Mohan

17. Mere sapaneme aana re…

(Rajhat-1956), , Shankar jaikishan

18. Nadiya kinarepe…..

(Barsat Ki Ek Raat- 1981), Ananad Bakshi, R.D. Burman

19. Nain Dwar se maname wo aake….

(Sawan-1959), Hansraj Bahl, prem Dhawan

20. Soya mera pyaar aanchalme….

(Meri Bhabi-1969), Majrooh Sultanpuri, Laxmikant Pyarelal

21. Aayega aanewala….

(Mahal -1949), J. Nakshab, Khemchand Prakash.

22. Machalati aarazu khadi bahe pasare…..

(Usanae Kaha Tha-1960) Shailendra, Salil Choudhary.

23. Ye raat bheegi bheegi…

(Chori Chori-1956), Hasrat Jipuri, Shankar Jaikishan

24. Sajana O sajana…

(Abhinetri-1970), Majrooh Sultanpuri, Laxmikant Pyarelal

25. Bagome bahar hai…..

(Aradhana-1969), Anand Bakshi, S.D. Burman

26. Dukh bhare din beete re bhaiya….

(Mother India-1957), Shakeel Badayuni, Naushad Ali.

27. Ankhome rang kyu aaya…..

(Ek Phool Chaar Kante- 1960), Hasrat Jaipuri, Shankar Jaikishan

28. Ai meri aankhonke rangeen sapane

(Man Mandir-1971), Rajendra Krishan, Laxmikant Pyarelal

29. Jawani jhulaati hai……

(Naata- 1955), Tanveer Naqvi, S. Mohinder

30.Hindolna jhoolan aayi balma…..

(Senapati-1961), Rajendra Krishan ,Madan Mohan 

31. Haule Haule Jhoolaniya Jhulao ...

(Ram Rajya -1967), Bharat Vyas, Vasant Desai

32. Aaj Ki Raat Naya chaand leke Aayee hai..

( Shaadi-1961) Chitragupt

33.Sajna Sun Sun Meri Chabi Ki Chun Chun...

(Rishta Kagaaz Ka-1983) Majrooh Sultanpuri,Rajesh Roshan,

34. Ja re jaa re meri chod...

(ZIndagi Aur Hum 1962 ),Roshan

35.Na chhedo kal ke afsaane...

(Raat Aur Din-1967) Shailendra, Shankar Jaikishan. 

36. Kajare badarawa re...

(Pati Patni -1966), Anand Bakshi, R.D. Bakshi.

37.O Saathi Ree Pyar Jisko Kehte Hain...

(Himalay Se Ooncha-1975) ,indeewar, Kalyanji-Anandji

38.Meri Payal Chhanke chanak chanak...

(Jaggu-1975), S.H.Bihari, Sonik-Omi

39.AYE MERE PYAR BATA

(GHAR BASAKE DEKHO-1963), Rajendra Krishan, CHITRAGUPTA

40.  Main to Hasti reh, (Aaina-1977) Jaan Nisar Akhtar, Naushad 

41. Hariyalaa Sawan dhol Bajata aaya (Do Bigha Zameen-1953 ) 

42. Chori Chori Koi Aaye (Noori -1979)

43.bahon mein chale aao