Shukriya Zindagi

Song: Shukriya Zindagi
Album: Aashayein
Singer: Shafqat Amanat Ali
Music Director: Salim – Sulaiman
Lyrics: Mir Ali Husain

It’s very rare when a song like this comes along. Shukriya Zindagi is a song which makes you sit up and take notice. I listened to it with utmost fascination the first time and I keep going back to this song again and again.

The music is definitely great. Coming from Salim-Sulaiman, you can’t expect anything less. The song comes in 2 versions – original and remixed and for once, I liked both the songs. The singing is out of the world. Again, Shafqat Amanat Ali is a proven name and this song takes him to another level of singing altogether. The best part of the song is the lyrics. The song puts you in a contemplative mood. The song talks about one of the most ignored emotion – gratitude. It teaches us to be thankful to what we already have instead of complaining about what we want. This is put across in such simple words that it leaves a strong impression on your mind. There is a line in the song which roughly means ‘What can I complain about my life, I am so busy enjoying it, I don’t have time to complain’. (The actual words: Kya shikaayat karein, fursat kahaan) This world would be so much better if we all had this attitude towards life. Some more lines which I loved: Sirf ik rang se tasveer hoti kahin, Gham nahi toh khushi ki keemat nahi Why don’t I just add the entire song? Here you go.

Shukriya Zindagi

Chan ke aayi toh kya chaandni toh mili
Chan ke aayi toh kya chaandni toh mili
Chand din hi sahi yeh kali to khili
Shukriya zindagi
Teri meharbaaniyan, teri meharbaaniyan
Shukriya zindagi

Sirf ik rang se tasveer hoti kahin
Gham nahi toh khushi ki keemat nahi
Sirf ik rang se tasveer hoti kahin
Gham nahi toh khushi ki keemat nahi
Dhoop chaaon hain dono toh dilkash jahaan
Kya shikaayat karein, fursat kahaan
Shukriya zindagi
Teri mehrbaaniyan, teri mehrbaaniyan
Shukriya zindagi

Apni taqdeer ki hai yeh daastaan
Kabhi qatilaana, kabhi meharbaan
Apni taqdeer ki hai yeh daastaan
Kabhi qatilaana, kabhi meharbaan
Meharbaani jo dil ko karaar aa gaya
Apne qaatil pe bhi pyaar aa gaya
Shukriya zindagi
Teri mehrbaaniyan, teri mehrbaaniyan
Shukriya zindagi

Sad version:

Aaj kismat yahaan, hum ko layi toh hai
Ek lamha sahi muskurayi toh hai
Shamma bujhi hai toh kya gila
Bujhta wohi hai jo tha jala
Shukriya zindagi

If you don’t understand Hindi, here is the meaning of this song.

Music Review: I Hate Luv Storys

This is the latest offering from Karan Johar’s production house. He teams up with a debut director Punit Malhotra to give us this romantic movie which stars Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor. The pair comes together for the first time and the stills look good. Let’s see how the movie turns out. KJo has been generous in experimenting with new directors, but he hasn’t shown the same courage for music composition. He plays safe and uses tried and tested composers like Shankar-Ehsan-Loy and Vishal-Shekhar. He should try to give a break to someone new. The music industry needs some fresh air, don’t you think?

Album: I Hate Luv Storys
Music Composer: Vishal-Shekhar


Jab Mila Tu
Singer: Vishal Dadlani
Lyrics: Anvita Dutt

The album has a promising start. This is a very catchy and peppy number. Vishal’s husky voice adds a charm to this song. The chorus ‘Ru Tu Ru Tu’ grows on you and you can’t stop tapping your feet. A youthful number which will surely be a hit with the crowd. There are some interesting lines in this song like ‘Jaise gaane aur nazam se, sur ko hi chura le’.


Bin Tere
Singers: Shafqat Amanat Ali, Sunidhi Chauhan
Lyrics: Vishal Dadlani

Vishal is trying his hand at different things. He has penned the words for this song. Shafqat and Sunidhi come together for this beautiful number. This is a typical Shafqat number and he is totally at home with this. This song draws your attention immediately and holds it till the end.


I Hate Luv Storys
Singer: Vishal Dadlani
Lyrics: Kumaar

Another song sung by Vishal. This title song is apt for discos and dances. A fast paced song which will be a hit in reality shows too.


Bahara
Singers: Shreya Ghoshal, Sona Mohapatra
Lyricist: Kumaar

A cute, romantic number which is Shreya’s forte. She uses her sweet voice and modulates it well to convey the romance and mushy love. Sona’s rustic voice adds texture to this song.


Sadka Hua
Singers: Suraj Jagan, Mahalaxmi Iyer
Lyrics: Anvita Dutt

Suraj Jagan sings this amazingly well. I had not heard him before and he is good. Another hummable song which may not top the charts but will be listened to by core lovers.


Bin Tere – Reprise
Singers: Shekhar Ravjiani
Lyrics: Vishal Dadlani

Another version of the same song and I liked this one better than the other one. This is quieter and less noisy. There is another remix version of the original song and I just don’t like it at all.


Bahara
Singers: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
Lyricist: Kumaar

A great way to end the album. Khan saab sings the same song but it sounds so different. With due respect to Shreya, I like Khaan saab’s rendition better.


Vishal-Shekhar give us some good songs in this album. Some songs will be liked instantly, while some will take time to grow on you.



Music Review: Paathshaala

Album: Paathshaala (2010)
Music Composer: Hanif Shaikh
Lyrics: Hanif Shaikh

Indian Idol 5 is on. Some talented singers are already showcased on the show. I am looking forward to the actual show and I know it will be delightful to watch. During one of the audition rounds, I heard a song in the background ‘Aye Khuda Mujhko Bata’ – it was so captivating that I had to listen to it again. A quick google told me it is a song from Paathshaala, sung by none other than Salim Merchant (he is one of the judges in Indian Idol 5). I listened to the other songs in this movie and all of them are listenable.

Aye Khuda Mujhko Bata
Singer: Salim Merchant

A quiet but intense number with some beautiful words. Salim has sung this one from his heart and it shows. A simple tune, but strong words – what a combination. Hanif Shaikh takes the credit for composing the music and for writing the words. Awesome!

Bekarar
Singer: Lucky Ali

After a hiatus, Lucky Ali is back and how. This is a typical Lucky Ali song. This may not be the best song in the album, but still good.

Mujhe Teri Aankhon Ki Gehrayi Mein Doobne De
Singers: Tulsi Kumar and Hanif Shaikh

As if composing music and writing songs was not enough, Hanif Shaikh takes up singing in this song and he does complete justice. Tulsi Kumar gives him the right company. Her husky voice is so different and comes as a breath of fresh air. Hanif has a nasal tone which adds its own charm to the song. A very different kind of song with a very catchy tune. Even the words are fresh. Here is an excerpt.

Har zarre mein, har jagah mein mehsoos karti hoon main
Ik tujhko hi haan tujhko hi mehfuz rakhti hoon main
Khayalon mein, dil mein, meri saanson mein
Gungunati hoon tujhko har baat mein

Teri Marzi Aye Khuda
Singer: Kailash Kher

A fitting climax to a great album. Kailash Kher does complete justice to this song which has Sufi nuances. Hanif is our man again – composer and lyricist.

With so many movies released in the past few weeks, this album was not noticed well. Hope music lovers notice it and listen to it.

Music Review: Well Done Abba

Album: Well Done Abba
Music Composers: Shantanu Moitra
Lyricists: Ashok Mishra, Ila Arun, Swanand Kirkire

Meri Banno Hoshiyar
Singer: Ila Arun
Lyricist: Ila Arun

This is such a catchy and fun song. It is based on a folk tune and Ila Arun just rocks in these kind of songs. The tune is folky, the background music sometimes takes on rock beats and this makes it a great combination. Lyrics are simple and humorous.

Bawdi Humko Hona Re
Singer: Mohit Chauhan, Swanand Kirkire
Lyricist: Swanand Kirkire

Mohit, for once, is singing fast songs. He has a cool, calming voice and his singing attitude is one that of being lazy. This song is anything but lazy. Fast beats, fast singing and Mohit pulls this one off with elan. Swanand Kirkire supports Mohit in a few lines. A fast paced, fun song.

Sandesa Sandesa Hawa Mein
Singer: Shreya Goshal and Rupankar
Lyricist: Ashok Mishra

A soft, romantic numbers with a catchy tune. Moitra’s music and Shreya’s voice will make you nostalgic and take you back to Parineeta’s ‘Piyu Bole’ and rightly so. This song is not as brilliant as the other one, but it is a nice song, nevertheless.

Rahiman Ishq Ka Dhaaga Re
Singer: Raja Hasan and Raghav
Lyricist: Ashok Mishra

A song with a Sufi touch and sung beautifully by Raja Hasan and Raghav. A soothing song with beautiful alaaps. The chorus line ‘tana dirana’ is so enchanting that I used to wait for this line in the entire song. This song might not top the charts but will definitely remain with you. Personally, I think this is the best song of the album.

Paani Ko Taraste
Singer: Raja Hasan and Krishan Beura
Lyricist: Ashok Mishra

The song starts with a soft music of water droplets. It is so melodious and soothing. The song, overall, is ok-ok. Nothing special.

I am so happy to see an album which does not have any remix songs. Other music directors should take  a hint from this album. I don’t understand what is the point in adding remix songs in the album. Anyways, this is an above average album. Nothing noteworthy, but the songs are quite hummable and stay with you. Give it a try.