Nahin nahin koi tumsa nahin – Swarg Narak

Song: Nahin nahin, koi tumsa nahin
Movie: Swarg Narak (1978 )
Music: Rajesh Roshan
Singers: Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

I heard this song for the first time on Farishta, the Worldspace radio station for old Hindi songs. This song instantly caught my attention and held it for the complete length of the song. I had no clue which movie this song was from, but luckily my husband knew. He told me that it is from Swarg Narak and with Google’s help, getting details was easy.

So, the song is from Swarg Narak. Music is by Rajesh Roshan. Lyrics by Anand Bakshi. Earth music tells me that this movie has the more popular song ‘Leena o leena’. Just another example of how a soft, lovely song disappears into oblivion shadowed by a fast, peppy number.

Coming to the song, the first thing that struck me is the absence of background music. There is no instrument for rhythm and a faint tune is playing in the background. Kishore and Asha just shine in the entire song and outdo each other.

Now that I heard the song, I had to have it in my collection. I didn’t find it in any of the online stores. I was sure I wouldn’t find a ‘Swarg Narak’ CD, so didn’t bother to check. I was hoping HMV Saregama site will have it in their own collection which I can add to my custom CD, but nope, they didn’t have it either. So what would one do? Luckily for me, my husband had this movie VCD in his collection. I had to endure the torture of this movie to get this song. I exracted the video of the song from the VCD, then extracted only the audio part and now I have what I call as a ’song’. It is definitely not as good as the bought song, but for the time being, this will do.

I wish I could link to an online site which played this song so that you guys could enjoy this lovely duet, but unfortunately I have to leave you with the imagination of how lovely it is. So, imagine Kishore and Asha singing together with almost no music in the background. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Update: Kanan found a video of this song. Vishal has uploaded a glimpse of this song so that you guys can enjoy it.

Junoon kuch kar dikhane ka

NDTV imagine launched a new program last weekend titled ‘Junoon kuch kar dikhane ka‘. None other than Hrithik Roshan promoted the program by appearing on stage the first day and setting the context for the show.

The program is similar to other programs in the sense that there are participants who sing, judges who score them and at the end of the show, there will be a winner. It is still different because it is not just film songs the participants are singing. There are three houses – Folk, Sufi and Filmy. Each house has a set of participants who sing there genre and they compete with the participants of the other houses. Ila Arun is the mentor for the folk group. Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan mentors the Sufi house and is definitely one of the star attractions of the show. Anand Raj Anand mentors the filmy house. None other than Annu Kapoor hosts the show. And before you ask, this show is the brainchild of Gajendra Singh. We can expect a lot of glycerin usage, right?

The first two episodes were wonderful. Though I didn’t enjoy the folk and filmy rounds that much, I heard some new gems in the Sufi genre. Most of the singers are talented with a few participants being exceptional. Akbar Ali with Mera Piya Ghar Aaya and Ali Abbas with Mast Kalandar stole the show.

This show definitely comes across as a fresh breeze amidst the myriad reality shows we have. It is up to Gajendra Singh to keep it simple and straight and not get lost in emotional tangles which is usually the case with his other shows. Let’s hope Junoon plays a part in spreading Sufi and folk music. The show is aired on Friday and Saturday at 8.30 on NDTV imagine.

Peshawari Biryani

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Tribute to O P Nayyar: Pukaarataa Chalaa Hoon Mein

He is the man who made the tonga beat memorable. If you listen to any old Hindi number and hear tonga beats in the background, it’s highly likely the song’s music composer is Omkar Prasad Nayyar, popularly known as O. P. Nayyar.

Hindi film industry noticed OP da with Aar Paar. The sensuous Babuji Dheere Chalna is still very much live in the music lovers’ circle and keeps reappearing in different remixed versions. This was followed by musical hits like Mr.& Mrs. 55, CID, which announced the arrival of a new star in the Hindi film music field. He won his first Filmfare Award in 1957 for the movie Naya Daur.

OPda and Geeta Dutt duo has given us numerous gems like Yeh Lo Mein Haari Piya, Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein, Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya ji and many more. OP da’s peppy numbers brought out the bubbliness in Geeta Dutt’s voice and they gave her voice a new sparkle. If one lists down Geetaji’s hit numbers, many of OPda’s compositions will figure in that list.

OPda is credited with giving Asha Bhosle the recognition she deserves. He is quoted to have said that in her initial days, Ashaji mimicked Geetaji’s singing style and OPda groomed Ashaji to carve her own niche. Ashaji has had many beautiful songs with OPda. Be it the sensuous Aao Huzoor Tumko or the peppy Haule Haule Chalo More Sajna or the soulful Woh Hanske Mile Humse, Ashaji’s voice does justice to each and every song.

Another big name in the music industry, Mohammed Rafi, owes a lot to OPda. The melodious Aanchal Mein Saja Lena, Deewana Hua Baadal, Phir Wohi Dil Laaya Hoon, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, and the foot tapping Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri marked Rafi as a successful singer. It is said that OP’s relationship with Rafi turned sour and OPda started using Mahendra Kapoor in Rafi’s place. OPda expresses his opinion about Mahendra Kapoor in this interview.

I quote:

“I used him [Mahendra Kapoor] as replacement for Rafi. I used to call him Çharan Das for he used to touch feet of practically any Tom, Dick and Harry. I found this extra- humility phony. He might have sung quite a few good songs for me but just listen to Do Ustaad title track to know how off-key he could be! Purposely I kept that Besuraa singing so that one day, I could show him how bad he could be!”

OPda never minced his words. He has openly criticized producers, directors and singers who he did not agree with. Lataji never sang for OPda.

He justifies:

“I needed a powerful, full throated, sensuous voice and she [Lata] had this thin, thread-like voice, which was not at all suitable for my music. Another thing is about my inspiration coming from beauty. Lata with her plain, ordinary looks never could inspire me as a composer!”

He has left behind many memorable songs, and the best song which I personally like is Chain Se Hum Ko Kabhi. This song also happens to be the last song Ashaji sang for O P Nayyar, which won her Filmfare Best Playback Singer Award.

This talented music composer left us on January 28th 2007, but will always be remembered for his melodious and soulful music. What better way to end this article than quote a few lines from his compositions:

Chaand ke rath mein, raat ki dulhan jab jab aayegi
Yaad humari, aap ke dil ko, tadapaa jaayegi
Aap ne jo hain diyaa, wo to kisi ne naa diyaa

Ye dillagi ye shokhiyaan salaam ki
Yahin to baat ho rahi hai kaam ki
Koi to mud ke dekh legaa is taraf
Koi nazar to hogi mere naam ki
Pukaarataa chalaa hun main

Sources and other links:

Interview

Wiki entry

Aaoge Jab Tum O Saajana: Jab We Met

Amidst the roaring success of the foot-tapping Mauja Hi Mauja and the melodious Tum Se Hi, another gem from the movie Jab We Met has gone unnoticed.

Aaoge Jab Tum O Sajana is melodious and has a classical touch to it. Sung beautifully by Ustad Rashid Khan, this song is four and a half minutes of sheer pleasure.

Aaoge Jab Tum O Saajana,
Angana phool khilenge
Barasega saawan, barasega saawan, jhoom jhoomake
Do dil aise milenge

This song is composed by the guest composer, Sandesh Shandilya, who has given us songs like Suraj Hua Maddham from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gam, Bhaage Re Man from Chameli, Laree Chootee from Ek Chalis Ki Last Local.

The song is slow and melodious. Irhsad Kamil’s words are simple and sweet. The best thing about the song is certainly singing. Ustad’s voice has a folky touch and works well with the song. The song opens with his powerful alaap. Ustad sings with ease. The way he ends the ‘phool khilenge’ and ‘do dil aise milenge’ is as if he is lazy to complete the lines, and that adds a special effect to the song. His expressions are so genuine, one can feel the longing for the beloved. The song ends with a flute piece and Ustad’s sargam. A perfect end to a great song.

Song: Aaoge Jab Tum O Saajana
Movie: Jab We Met
Composer: Sandesh Shandilya
Singer: Ustad Rashid Khan
Lyrics: Irhsad Kamil

You can listen to this song on Dhingana.

My thoughts on Saawariya

I know I am not famous enough to be on Koffee with Karan, but if I was asked by the honorable host as to which movie I would choose to watch between Om Shanti Om and Saawariya, I would have answered without blinking, “Saawariya, of course.” True to my answer, I went and watched Saawariya this weekend.

The movie is based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s short story ‘White Nights’. How far can you stretch a short story to make into a 3 hour movie? Owing to this, the story is not the best part of the movie and some people might even find it boring. What makes the movie come alive is the direction, music and Ranbir – in that order.

To create a dream world so beautiful and take your audience to this world and make them forget that they have left a real world behind is not easy. Sanjay Leela Bhansali does this and he is a genius. For as long as the screen was lit up, I was mesmerized. The whole movie is shot in a set which mimics a small town around a lake. By interval time, you feel you are a part of that town. There is one shot where Sonam is reading from a book and her aunt and her governess (??) are with her. The three women are shown in three mirrors and in between the focus shifts to Sonam and you can see the other women in two mirror. It’s mind boggling to even think how SLB shot this!

If you are not fond of melodious music, do not watch this movie. It’s like a Chitrahaar sometimes, with songs back to back and these songs add flavour to the movie. The first song ‘Pari’, so beautifully sung by Kunal Ganjawala is equally well crafted by SLB. I particularly liked the shots involving glass panes. Ranbir and the women are separated by a glass pane. The shot begins with Ranbir’s reflection on the glass pane and the women slightly out-of-focus and as the shot proceeds, Ranbir fades out and you see the women. This technique repeats a couple of times all through the song.

Considering that it is Ranbir’s first movie, he has done well. The whole movie stands on his shoulders and he carries it well. He comes across as this lovable, vivacious, naughty, lover boy who lives life to the fullest. His acting seems like overacting at times, but it is forgivable. He is exceptionally brilliant in his towel-clad act in ‘Jabse tere naina’. He proves his dancing skills in the title song. It’s the innocence on his face that takes your heart away. Sonam doesn’t really have much scope to act. Moreover, with Ranbir hogging the screen, she failed to impress me.

There are certain places where the movie goes too far away from reality. Like the song ‘Dekho chaand aaya’. The song is shot in a mosque and all the men are in white, except our Ranbir who is dressed in black. After the song, the men and women mingle and exchange greetings – which is sacrilegious in Muslim community. If this scene couldn’t have been shot in any other way, SLB could have based this story in some other, more liberal community.

While the movie does have these far-from-reality pieces, it is closer to real life than most of our Bollywood movies. We are so used to seeing the male lead sacrificing his love for his friend and the female lead agreeing to marry her lover’s friend for the sake of her love. In Saawariya, we actually get to see some real emotions, where the male lead places his own love above someone else’s and asserts that man, after all, is selfish.  I can’t say much without marking it as a spoiler. People who have watched the movie will understand what I am talking about.

Even though it is not SLB’s best, he definitely shines in this movie. If you are a romantic and sometimes let your heart overtake your head, then you will enjoy Saawariya.

Remembering Geeta Dutt

 

 

November 23rd is Geeta Dutt’s birth anniversary

Geeta Dutt was vivacity personified. If one listened to her songs with eyes closed and tried to imagine the face behind the voice, one would see an innocent face with shining eyes full of life.

While one can dance to her tunes in Mera naam chun chun chu from Howrah Bridge, Tadbeer se bigdi huyi from Baazi dance songs, one can peacefully go to sleep listening to her Nanhi kali sone chali hawa dheera aana from Sujata. This particular lullaby is a particular favorite of mine. The wording are beautiful, the inclusion of the sound of baby’s anklets, the wonderful singing – the song is just great.

Her playful, nuaghty songs like Jaane kahan mera jigar gaya ji from Mr&Mrs.55 and Hum aapki aankhon mein from Pyaasa, Ae Dil Mujhe Bata De from Bhai Bhai is what she is most famous for. These songs lift your spirits in no time.

Her sad songs are probably not that well known. Songs like Chand Hai Wohi Sitare Wohi Hain from Parineeta, Mera sundar sapna beet gaya from Do bhai makes one can be filled with grief. The last song, especially, is so melancholic. Geeta Dutt is literally crying in the song.

How can one forget the drunken, sensual singing of Na Jao Saiyan from Sahib biwi aur ghulam? The minimal background music, the intermittent pause singing and music, her slurred pronunciation makes one wonder if Geeta Dutt was really drunk when she sang this song.

Another favorite of mine, Piya Aiso Jiya Mein from Sahib Biwi Ghulam has Geetaji dreaming about her beloved. The lady sounds like she is actually in love and you blush and turn pink listening to the song. Look out for the subtle harkatein – no one could do it except for Geetaji. She is playful, complaining, mischievous – all at the same time!

She is the inspiration for many singers. It’s no secret that Asha Bhosle used to imitate Geetaji in her initial days. The song Jaanu Jaanu Ri from Insaan Jaag Utha is such a pleasure to listen to. Two of the best female singers of the Hindi film industry, Geetaji and Ashaji, create magic in this song.

With Geeta Dutt’s demise, Hindi industry has incurred a big loss, which is impossible to fill. Asha Bhosle gracefully stepped into her place and has done all the justice to it. If anyone can be compared with Geetaji, it has to be Ashaji. Nevertheless, if Geetaji had survived for a few more years, we would have had more gems from her.

Music Review: Khoya Khoya Chand

Album: Khoya Khoya Chand
Music Composer: Shantanu Moitra
Lyrics: Swanand Kirkire
Album Rating

Khoya Khoya Chand reminds one of the 70’s Hindi film music, when melody was of the essence. With some new singers and some established ones, this album is a treat to the ears. The music composer being the same, this album has resemblance to Parineeta.

Chale Aao Saiyan
Singer: Shreya Goshal

A classical based song, beautifully sung by Shreya Goshal. The presense of sarod, ghungroo, tabla make it a thumree. A beautiful number which changes paces in between. Shreya sounds different – her voice is more shrill than nasal. It reminded me of Chalte Chalte from Pakeezah.

Khushboo Sa
Singer: Hamsika Iyer

A new singer on the block who has worked wonders in this song. This has a vague resemblance to ‘Kaise Paheli’ from Parineeta. The mellow tune, the piano and the singer’s sensual’s voice make this song worth listening to.

O Re Paakhi
Singers: Sonu Nigam

I can’t help it, this song reminds me Parineeta’s Soona man ka aangan. Sonu Nigam is brilliant as ever. The opening is beautiful – only piano is playing intermittently in the background and Sonu’s voice is even more enjoyable. Mid-way, the background music stops and Sonu is just singing. A song which you should enjoy with closed eyes and with lights off.

Sakhi Piya
Singers: Shreya Goshal, Pranav Biswas

A beautiful, melodious number. Pranav Biswas has a base voice which sounds great with Shreya’s melodious voice. Background music is minimal with intermittent piano and santoor (is it santoor?) and violin. A slow, relaxed song which is thoroughly enjoyable.

Thirak Thirak
Singers: Shreya Goshal, Sonu Nigam

Relatively fast paced, this song is full of masti. Just like in Piya bole from Parineeta, Sonu outshines Shreya. His voice is so expressive, Shreya sounds weaker. This song borrows a stanza from the mukhda of the next song, but you don’t realize it until you listen to the next song.

Khoya Khoya Chand
Singer: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ajay Jhingran, Swanand Kirkire

The best song of the album. Khan saab New singer Ajay Jhingran is wonderful and his voice is charming. Swanand adds some reciting in between. A very passionate and energetic song.

Yeh Nigahen
Singer: Antara Choudhary and Sonu Nigam

This song sounds so much like a 70’s Rafi song. Sonu even tries to bring in the harkatein, which were Rafi’s trademarks. Antara is good too, but she is pitted against Sonu and she will sound weaker.

A very beautiful album, with melody at its core. An album definitely worth listening to.

Baavara Man Dekhne Chala Ek Sapna

Of all the numerous nasal songs and their even more nasal remixes coming out these days, there are very few songs that you want to go back and listen to. Evergreen songs so to say. One of these rare songs is one gem – Baavara Man Dekhne Chala Ek Sapna.

The first time I heard this song, I listened to it back to back for the whole day. I couldn’t have enough of it. Thanks to my friend for introducing me to this song, otherwise my song collection would have had a big loss. It is from a movie Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, which I know nothing about.

The heavy classical touch, the hypnotizing voice, unique lyrics, beautiful orchestration – this song is as perfect as any song can be. The singer is in the right mood – he sounds aloof, yet passionate. The chorus adds a different charm to the song. The sitar (or sarod?), the peppering of violin, which sounds off-key at times and thus making the song even more beautiful. The best part of the song is arguably the lyrics. The deliberate repetition of the word ‘Bavara’ adds effect to the song.

Why waste time raving about it when one can actually relish it? You can listen to this song online on Music India Online. Music is by Shantanu Moitra. Lyricist and singer: Swanand Kirkire.

Music Review: Saawariya

Album: Saawariya
Music Director: Monty Sharma
Lyrics: Sameer
Album Rating:

With musical hits like Khamoshi and Devdas behind him, Sanjay Leela Bhansali can be trusted to give us a movie with good music. He doesn’t disappoint us with his new movie, Saawariya. The much hyped launch pad of kids of industry’s two big names, Rishi Kapoor and Anil Kapoor, has a good collection of songs. Romance, love, passion is oozing out of the songs. With songs being so hypnotic, I am waiting to see how they are taken to a new level by Bhansali’s cinematic skills. I am sure it will be a feast for the eyes and ears.

Instead of giving us soft, monotonous songs, the relatively new director, Monty Sharma gives us songs with varying rhythms and notes. He has also given us two new noticeable voices, Shail Hada and Parthiv Gohil. Hada’s Saawariya and Gohil’s Yun Shabnami prove the singers’ skills. In all, an album that deserves to be in your kitty.

Saawariya
Singer: Shail Hada

This song is doing the rounds on TV and is already a hit. We have a new singer, Shail Hada, who has an unusual voice. The song is a romantic, passionate number. Shail pumps energy and passion into the song. He carries off some yodeling too. An apt title song for the movie. Lyrics are nothing exceptional, but the simple tune of the song takes your heart away.

Jab Se Tere Naina
Singer: Shaan

Another romantic song, sung by Shaan. It wavers between mellifluous notes and passionate beats. Shaan modulates his voice well – going soft at times and oozing energy where required. Lyricist has not done anything extra-ordinary. One can find quite a few cliché phrases. A nice song to listen to, especially if you are in love. You would want to switch off the lights, sit back, close your eyes and relish the song.

Mash-Allah
Singer: Kunal Ganjawala

Kunal is back with his enchanting voice. When you listen to this song, you go into a trance. The soft background music, Kunal’s hypnotizing voice, the magical lyrics – the song is so romantic, you will fall in love, if you haven’t already. No other singer could have carried it off so well as Kunal. Not even Sonu Nigam. This is an out and out Kunal Ganjawala song.

Thode Badmash
Singer: Shreya Goshal
Lyrics: Nusrat Badr

It’s the girl’s turn to express her love through this song. Shreya Goshal tries hard to bundle enough naughtiness and love in this song, but she fails at certain points. When the song reaches high notes, her voice sounds strained. Lyrics are very ordinary.

Yoon Shabnami
Singer: Parthiv Gohil
Lyrics: Sandeep Nath

Yet another romantic number. What’s with Bollywood and moon? From ages, the girl’s beauty is being compared to the moon and the tradition continues in this song. Parthiv Gohil is a brilliant singer – his voice is literally dancing when he modulates.

Daras bina nahin chain
Singer: Richa Sharma, Shail Hada & Parthiv Gohil

The song starts with Richa Sharm’a alaap. Has she become famous as an alaap provider rather than as a singer? The music director’s attempt at including a classical based song in the album. With Richa’s commanding voice, the chorus, the male voice (Is it Hada and Gohil or both?), this song is very powerful. There is a haunting tune in the background. I couldn’t identify the instrument used. Does anyone have an idea what instrument that is? It’s a beautiful number which will make you get up and dance. It reminds me of the dance numbers in Devdas.

Sawar Gayi
Singer: Shreya Goshal

A Shreya solo. Another classical based song. A soft, slow number. Shreya sings this really well. Don’t pay attention to the wordings, because they are nothing new.

Jaan-e-jaan
Singers: Kunal Ganjawala and Shreya Goshal

Probably the weakest song in the album. A judaai number, sung by Kunal and Shreya. Kunal sings well, but this is not his forte. Lyrics are very very ordinary. This song reminds me of the old song ‘Tum mere ho, mere hi mere ho’.

Pari
Singer: Kunal Ganjawala

The hero is fantasizing about his loved one. He compares her to an angel. Lyrics become a little interesting here. ‘Uski khamosh aahat ko sunta hoon mein’. Nothing new, but still makes your ears stand. This is a Kunal song and he makes complete justice. It doesn’t have a catchy tune and it is difficult to sing. I don’t see this song becoming a hit with the public.

Chabeela
Singer: Alka Yagnik

A change from the soft, slow songs. This is a fast, dance number sung by Alka Yagnik. Alka tries hard at modulating her voice, but sounds strained. Has she already lost the strength in her voice? It has a catchy tune, this is going to be a hit with the dance troupes.

Saawariya (Reprise)
Singer: Shail Hada

Shail is back with the title song and his magic. A perfect end to this great album.