Happy Birthday Asha Bhosle!! You have given us some of the most joyous, hottest, sultriest, coolest, most versatile songs over the years. Savour and love singing each one of your stunning songs: Aage bhi jaane na tu, Zindagi ittefaq hai, all Ijaazat songs, sooo many gorgeous fun songs with Kishore, sultry Helen songs, the ghazals of Umrao Jaan, thumris of Lekin, non film ghazals. Such an amazing body of work!!
Since I am technically covering Kishore songs at the moment and it's Asha Bhosle's bday-besides they made an absolutely stunning singing pair- bringing you some lovely Kishore-Asha duets.
CHHOD DO ANCHAL
Now this was a singing pair made in heaven. Asha and Kishore are synonymous with a youthful vibe, some great coquettish chemistry, fun and frolic. Two voices perfectly in sync and complementing each other and creating magical moments of camaraderie, comfort and pure craft. Both had an unassuming, casual style of singing and seemingly effortless delivery ever since their first duet 'Ek do teen chaar' in the movie Muqaddar (1950) that lent itself particularly well to slightly humorous, 'nok jhonk' love songs, the kinds that could always shoo away all tensions and stresses in a jiffy and make you want to venture out and court a little delectable trouble of your own!!:-)
YEH DUNIYA WALE POOCHHENGE
And yet to say that Asha-Kishore could only sing frothy, frivolous numbers would be wrong. Clearly they had a more young contemporary feel to their voices as compared to say Lata and Rafi who were mostly pitched in for songs requiring more soul, more 'Thehraav' or solid timbre, but Kishore Asha did sing some very enchanting, serious raag based numbers such as this one. It is a lovely composition and has that air of old world romance. Asha's vivacious voice is reasonably reined in and matched by Kishore's mature mellow vocals. The lead couple too kind of pretty much define that era. Dev playing the quintessential, chivalrous, thorough gentleman and Asha Parekh who personified genteel, elegant, pert-updo-and-stitched-into-tight-shirts kind of doll-like wide-eyed delicateness.
MERI SONI MERI TAMANNA
But it was with R D Burman's music that Asha and Kishore gave some of their most memorable duets. Times were changing, the music was getting more westernised and so were the characterisations. Kishore and Asha paved the way for slightly anglicised phrases or hook lines coming into Hindi songs. Their voices made a carefree college romance more believable(with due respect to Mohd Rafi, hearing him say 'I Love you' would always give a very fatherly love type of feel, I mean have you heard him say 'Happy Burday to You'!!) This was the time when heroines in India too turned more liberated in terms of their attire and mannerisms, spurred by the prevalent International mood of flower power and hippie culture, psychedelic music and social permissiveness.
JAANE JAAN DHOONDHTA
At other times Kishore-Asha upped the cool quotient of an insipid lead with brilliant vocals. As far as range and melody goes, I find this duet of theirs wonderful. So even though it starred the podgy non-actor Kapoor-Randhir and Jaya in a saree with a doll( never could figure out this one!), it is simply R D's music and the easy, natural adaptability of these two voices that make this song worth listening even today.
KEHTE SUNTE BAATON BAATON MEIN
This is one movie that I must have seen 50 times and still catch it happily if its coming on TV. Found Amol Palekar very geekily cute even when I had never heard of the term geek. Tina Munim though not a great actress, looked so fresh and scrubbed clean in this movie and somehow fitted the role of a middle class, innocent working girl to a T. The movie has an easy going pace, very realistic plot and catches the typical pulse of Bombay of those days, a very natural portrayal of the catholic community without getting into caricatures of minorities as in block buster movies of today. Pearl Padamsee was particularly endearing and Tina's brother forever playing the violin at all the wrong moments! It was sweet and something one could relate to. Not to mention this wonderful duet by Kishore- Asha.:-)
SANAM TUM JAHAN MERA DIL WAHAN
But any collection of Asha Bhosle songs is a little incomplete without the sultry seductive number. So this sexy solo. For her's is a voice that was always oozing with sensuality and mystique. It was the classic club crooner voice, the dangerous dancing diva, the temptress and the enchantress. The Jezebel who threw caution to the winds and was the toast of the club circuit. Sizzling in sequined body suits and raven black tresses, her eyes darting killer glances while her mouth spewed double entendres to the Bond-like whisky guzzling hero till she caressed him into lazy, languid stupor and laid siege on the coveted diamond valise with the slithering stealth of a serpent.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
KISHORE FOR GULZAR
TUM AA GAYE HO NOOR AA GAYA HAI
Today is Gulzar's birthday, so let's hear some beautiful Kishore songs written by Gulzar. Believe me that's a lethal combo!! Gulzar's sublime and metaphor-rich poetry often found the ideal conveyor and communicator in Kishore's sensitive and gentle rendition. Sampooran Singh Kalra, better known as Gulzar was born in the Jhelum district of Punjab( now in Pakistan) and I am told that he even worked as a car mechanic in Delhi before he made his foray into commercial writing. Well, all I can say to that is that he was meant to mend a lot more than mere automobiles. He was meant to mend a broken heart, he was meant to give a solution to solitude, he was meant to eradicate ennui and he was meant to remedy desolation and longing. Gulzar's poetry right from his first song in Bandini called 'Mora gora ang layile' reached straight to the innermost cores of our imagination and sensibilities. His songs are like the heartwarming swig of cognac on cold, lonely winter nights and the very solace, the very spring that blooms in a thousand hues across the mindscape of poetry lovers all over India and the world. This one's got the added punch of RD's music as well:-)))
IS MOD SE JAATE HAIN
Gulzar has the uncanny ability to carve out very realistic characters and delve into human emotions and relationships with the precision of a master storyteller. In a career spanning five decades he has gifted us with riveting stories that broke the stereotypes of screen characters in many ways. While many of his characters seemed like someone real we had met, it was also reality at times that inspired some of his stories. This movie for instance was based on the life of you-know-who. And I love the fact that somebody had the cheek to name it Aandhi!! Well the Aandhi family is yet again embroiled in another aandhi across the country-and aandhi called Anna. Seems like the days of Aandhi family's rule over this country are numbered. While the bahu Aandhi recuperates from a mysterious surgery, Baba Aandhi has to deal with some ba ba 'black sheep' rhymes for now. It is high time the Aandhis of the world stopped considering this country as their personal property. Aandhi or no aandhi, the country is going through the crossroads of change and for now people have found their modern day mini-Gandhi!!;-)))
KOI HOTA APNA JIS KO HUM
This is another Gulzar-Kishore gem with music by Salil Chowdhury. The song captures and strangely mirrors the angst and anxiety of youth today who are looking for a direction. The potential of youth needs to be tapped correctly. Sadly in our country today there are very few names one can truly emulate. The youth probably identifies with a few Bollywood stars or cricketers. There has been a major void, a vacuum when it comes to a statesman one can identify with. It is this void that strangely has been filled by a humble man from Malegaon. That he has managed to raise the hopes and aspirations of a large cross section of people literally due to woebegone, daily encounters with disgusting and back-breaking corruption. Time will tell what comes out of this but as of now there is a palpable energy and verve in the air, a hope that someone has listened to their prayers and is there to represent them. This bond as in this movie, this youth has with the selfless and elderly Meena Kumari is miraculously being felt with this elderly, almost grand-fatherish sweet smiling typhoon from Malegaon!!:-))
WOH SHAAM KUCH AJEEB THI
This is one of my favourite Gulzar songs sung by Kishore. In normal poetic parlance one would rarely come across a word such as 'ajeeb' in a song so sublime but Gulzar has a way with words that is extraordinary. Hemant Kumar's music too is ethereal and sets a very different mood. And no surprises that even though he sang many other songs in the movie himself but he chose Kishore to sing this one. The result is a mesmerising song with a supernatural feel. The two actors too very subdued and bang on and yet there is a third dimension to the song, the presence of a third character like an overlooking spectre, that is built simply through the stupendous lyrics, Kishore's gentle singing, the fluid setting and haunting music.....
Today is Gulzar's birthday, so let's hear some beautiful Kishore songs written by Gulzar. Believe me that's a lethal combo!! Gulzar's sublime and metaphor-rich poetry often found the ideal conveyor and communicator in Kishore's sensitive and gentle rendition. Sampooran Singh Kalra, better known as Gulzar was born in the Jhelum district of Punjab( now in Pakistan) and I am told that he even worked as a car mechanic in Delhi before he made his foray into commercial writing. Well, all I can say to that is that he was meant to mend a lot more than mere automobiles. He was meant to mend a broken heart, he was meant to give a solution to solitude, he was meant to eradicate ennui and he was meant to remedy desolation and longing. Gulzar's poetry right from his first song in Bandini called 'Mora gora ang layile' reached straight to the innermost cores of our imagination and sensibilities. His songs are like the heartwarming swig of cognac on cold, lonely winter nights and the very solace, the very spring that blooms in a thousand hues across the mindscape of poetry lovers all over India and the world. This one's got the added punch of RD's music as well:-)))
IS MOD SE JAATE HAIN
Gulzar has the uncanny ability to carve out very realistic characters and delve into human emotions and relationships with the precision of a master storyteller. In a career spanning five decades he has gifted us with riveting stories that broke the stereotypes of screen characters in many ways. While many of his characters seemed like someone real we had met, it was also reality at times that inspired some of his stories. This movie for instance was based on the life of you-know-who. And I love the fact that somebody had the cheek to name it Aandhi!! Well the Aandhi family is yet again embroiled in another aandhi across the country-and aandhi called Anna. Seems like the days of Aandhi family's rule over this country are numbered. While the bahu Aandhi recuperates from a mysterious surgery, Baba Aandhi has to deal with some ba ba 'black sheep' rhymes for now. It is high time the Aandhis of the world stopped considering this country as their personal property. Aandhi or no aandhi, the country is going through the crossroads of change and for now people have found their modern day mini-Gandhi!!;-)))
KOI HOTA APNA JIS KO HUM
This is another Gulzar-Kishore gem with music by Salil Chowdhury. The song captures and strangely mirrors the angst and anxiety of youth today who are looking for a direction. The potential of youth needs to be tapped correctly. Sadly in our country today there are very few names one can truly emulate. The youth probably identifies with a few Bollywood stars or cricketers. There has been a major void, a vacuum when it comes to a statesman one can identify with. It is this void that strangely has been filled by a humble man from Malegaon. That he has managed to raise the hopes and aspirations of a large cross section of people literally due to woebegone, daily encounters with disgusting and back-breaking corruption. Time will tell what comes out of this but as of now there is a palpable energy and verve in the air, a hope that someone has listened to their prayers and is there to represent them. This bond as in this movie, this youth has with the selfless and elderly Meena Kumari is miraculously being felt with this elderly, almost grand-fatherish sweet smiling typhoon from Malegaon!!:-))
WOH SHAAM KUCH AJEEB THI
This is one of my favourite Gulzar songs sung by Kishore. In normal poetic parlance one would rarely come across a word such as 'ajeeb' in a song so sublime but Gulzar has a way with words that is extraordinary. Hemant Kumar's music too is ethereal and sets a very different mood. And no surprises that even though he sang many other songs in the movie himself but he chose Kishore to sing this one. The result is a mesmerising song with a supernatural feel. The two actors too very subdued and bang on and yet there is a third dimension to the song, the presence of a third character like an overlooking spectre, that is built simply through the stupendous lyrics, Kishore's gentle singing, the fluid setting and haunting music.....
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
KISHORE SONGS FOR YASH CHOPRA MOVIES II
EK RASTA HAI ZINDAGI
Lot of drama all around today. Watching News is more entertaining than any movie or soap opera today for this is opera of the masses, issues that touch our lives daily, issues that need to be thrashed out and resolved. Coming back to Kishore songs in Yash Chopra movies. It was not always chiffon and pearls. He did touch upon serious issues as in this movie based on the plight of coal miners in a crony capitalist set up. It was inspired by the Chasnala mining disaster. However the main plot was very similar to Joseph Conrad's novel Lord Jim. This song is the ultimate vagabond song, very few of its kind in Hindi movies. Most Indian songs are about holding on and clinging but this is about letting go and being free. You may love a beautiful bird flying in the sky, you may love a shooting star, you may love a gurgling river but to think of holding on to it would be foolishness. There is a greater love to be experienced in communion with the universe, where each speck, each star, each being has a place and purpose. There is a greater love in being brave enough to let go what you want so dearly!:-) Ask a mother who let's go of a son to be a fighter pilot because that is what he wants to do the most. Ask the desert that waits patiently for rain, ask the nightingale how just looking at the moon from far away makes her heart sing. Great music by Rajesh Roshan and great singing by Kishore and Lata. But I am amazed it's written by the oh so poignant Sahir Ludhianvi. The guy knew his stuff!
MUJHE TUM YAAD KARNA AUR MUJHKO YAAD AANA TUM
In this movie Yash Chopra dealt with the morass of corruption that slowly gnaws at the fourth estate in our country. It was a hard hitting story based on how true journalism suffers when greater forces such as the mafia and politics take over.The film story written by Javed Akhtar was based on the well-known Marathi play "Ashroonchi Zhali Phule" written by famous Marathi writer playwright Vasant Kanetkar. As you can the song is shot in the unlikeliest of places you'd expect a Yash Chopra song, a railway track and some abandoned train coaches but the setting is refreshing and realistic. So it was not the Swiss Alps all the way. But what is the reception we give to such movies vis a vis the candyfloss? Perhaps in a country like India where millions eke out a menial living against all odds, going to the movies has always meant seeing things larger than life, beautiful and flawless which is why we are always heavy on the palatial houses, 24 seater dining tables and beds that look like strawberry cake! But the song is delightful in its own way. There was a time when saying goodbyes was painful. One would spend days crying, vacillating in nothingness for hours. With time one has to be mature enough to allow and want the other person to enjoy and even have a good time without you. Of course as long as its done within reasonable limits of acceptability!:-)) A very giving song, a very loving song, a very 'rising above loving' song!!
KIS KA RASTA DEKHEIN
Another unusual setting for a Yash Chopra song but one that has become happening off- late, a JAIL!!! Suddenly Tihar is the address to be seen at, getting arrested the coolest thing to do, Gandhi caps the hottest accessory doing the rounds. All because of the will and resolve of a seemingly diminutive man. But the fact is that the issue he has raised is close to the heart of every Indian and thus the unequivocal support. India is at the crossroads of change and awaits inspired leadership. What's been captive all these years is integrity and honesty in its bureaucratic systems, its polity and public life. As of now your guess is as good as mine as to what is the way out of this imbroglio. What is India looking for? What does India await today? The question is that can these hoarding masses and squabbling leaders come up with one viable solution to the stench of corruption that emanates each office, each department, each shop, each factory, each godown, each shady by-lane of this huge and vast country? Isn't selling detergent milk being corrupt? Aren't misleading ads corrupt? Aren't sensational and cheap programmes meant to raise TRPs corrupt? Aren't eye catching item songs used to sell stupid movies corrupt? Isn't producing substandard goods being corrupt? ( Even a plastic hair clip that used to last months today breaks after 2-3 usages, can you imagine?) Where does one begin and where does it end? Even if we reach a consensus as to which version of the Lokpal bill we want, can we erase corruption from our mindsets? I guess we'll have to wait and watch and chances are it is going to be a long wait....
Lot of drama all around today. Watching News is more entertaining than any movie or soap opera today for this is opera of the masses, issues that touch our lives daily, issues that need to be thrashed out and resolved. Coming back to Kishore songs in Yash Chopra movies. It was not always chiffon and pearls. He did touch upon serious issues as in this movie based on the plight of coal miners in a crony capitalist set up. It was inspired by the Chasnala mining disaster. However the main plot was very similar to Joseph Conrad's novel Lord Jim. This song is the ultimate vagabond song, very few of its kind in Hindi movies. Most Indian songs are about holding on and clinging but this is about letting go and being free. You may love a beautiful bird flying in the sky, you may love a shooting star, you may love a gurgling river but to think of holding on to it would be foolishness. There is a greater love to be experienced in communion with the universe, where each speck, each star, each being has a place and purpose. There is a greater love in being brave enough to let go what you want so dearly!:-) Ask a mother who let's go of a son to be a fighter pilot because that is what he wants to do the most. Ask the desert that waits patiently for rain, ask the nightingale how just looking at the moon from far away makes her heart sing. Great music by Rajesh Roshan and great singing by Kishore and Lata. But I am amazed it's written by the oh so poignant Sahir Ludhianvi. The guy knew his stuff!
MUJHE TUM YAAD KARNA AUR MUJHKO YAAD AANA TUM
In this movie Yash Chopra dealt with the morass of corruption that slowly gnaws at the fourth estate in our country. It was a hard hitting story based on how true journalism suffers when greater forces such as the mafia and politics take over.The film story written by Javed Akhtar was based on the well-known Marathi play "Ashroonchi Zhali Phule" written by famous Marathi writer playwright Vasant Kanetkar. As you can the song is shot in the unlikeliest of places you'd expect a Yash Chopra song, a railway track and some abandoned train coaches but the setting is refreshing and realistic. So it was not the Swiss Alps all the way. But what is the reception we give to such movies vis a vis the candyfloss? Perhaps in a country like India where millions eke out a menial living against all odds, going to the movies has always meant seeing things larger than life, beautiful and flawless which is why we are always heavy on the palatial houses, 24 seater dining tables and beds that look like strawberry cake! But the song is delightful in its own way. There was a time when saying goodbyes was painful. One would spend days crying, vacillating in nothingness for hours. With time one has to be mature enough to allow and want the other person to enjoy and even have a good time without you. Of course as long as its done within reasonable limits of acceptability!:-)) A very giving song, a very loving song, a very 'rising above loving' song!!
KIS KA RASTA DEKHEIN
Another unusual setting for a Yash Chopra song but one that has become happening off- late, a JAIL!!! Suddenly Tihar is the address to be seen at, getting arrested the coolest thing to do, Gandhi caps the hottest accessory doing the rounds. All because of the will and resolve of a seemingly diminutive man. But the fact is that the issue he has raised is close to the heart of every Indian and thus the unequivocal support. India is at the crossroads of change and awaits inspired leadership. What's been captive all these years is integrity and honesty in its bureaucratic systems, its polity and public life. As of now your guess is as good as mine as to what is the way out of this imbroglio. What is India looking for? What does India await today? The question is that can these hoarding masses and squabbling leaders come up with one viable solution to the stench of corruption that emanates each office, each department, each shop, each factory, each godown, each shady by-lane of this huge and vast country? Isn't selling detergent milk being corrupt? Aren't misleading ads corrupt? Aren't sensational and cheap programmes meant to raise TRPs corrupt? Aren't eye catching item songs used to sell stupid movies corrupt? Isn't producing substandard goods being corrupt? ( Even a plastic hair clip that used to last months today breaks after 2-3 usages, can you imagine?) Where does one begin and where does it end? Even if we reach a consensus as to which version of the Lokpal bill we want, can we erase corruption from our mindsets? I guess we'll have to wait and watch and chances are it is going to be a long wait....
Sunday, August 14, 2011
REMEMBERING SHAMMI KAPOOR
MAIN CHALI MAIN CHALI
The original rebel without a cause of Indian screen. Spontaneous like a wild fire, fun like an adorable buffoon, quicksilver expressions, blazing eyes, the James Dean puff, unmatched sense of rhythm and natural dancing ability, personal style and good looks to boot. He was a live wire, an icon and the most enjoyable and frolicsome face of Hindi movies. Most of his songs had the uncanny knack of transporting us to a better, livelier, happier world. His vibrance crackled on the screen and made movies such fun. Absolutely looooove this song.
EHSAAN TERA HOGA MUJH PAR
And whoever thought Shammi was all about jumping off trees and the slapstick has gotta watch this song. Can't remember anyone who has emoted better in a serious song. Shammi Kapoor definitely came across as someone most unselfconscious on screen, mirroring all kinds of emotions effortlessly. A complete artist, a life lived fully, truly, venerably.....
AAJ KAL TERE MERE PYAAR KE
And if you even want to sample what exactly is spontaneity, you have to watch this song to witness how two very spontaneous actors came together for this classic. The song oozes with subtle humour, playful rivalry, a refreshing irreverence, perfect synchronisation. Both these stars apparently did not need choreographers. With Shammi and Mumu you just had to turn the music on and they would dance like there was no tomorrow.
ISHARON ISHARON MEIN DIL LENE WALE
And yet at other times he could look deep, soulfully into a heroine's eyes and profess of undying love and togetherness, of un-defined oneness and sublime unison. I cannot forget a particular summer in Ahmedabad- it was a beautiful cantt with abandoned British Raj bungalows with their chimneys and wells and sloping roofs-my best friend Neeka and I would go for these long evening walks and had earmarked one such well in a haunted house as a wishing well. Every wednesday and friday we'd take a little detour from the tree lined roads, go to the wishing well-yes, two silly school girls were we at 16, child women, cherubic cool-and drop in coins and make an ardent wish. No don't get any ideas! We simply wished for our fav song in Chitrahaar that day. She wished for Shashi Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna and I wished for Dev Anand and Shammi Kapoor. I rememeber distinctly that we wanted to grow up fast primarily to meet someone who could sing looking into our eyes like this!!!;-))
AIYAIYYA SUKU SUKU
This song belongs to Helen in many ways, start as it does with a wonderful solo dance performance by her but can not imagine any other actor making a late entry into the song and yet outshine or at least match up to her. When he entered the frame, the frame lit up with energy and sparkle, he flirted with the camera, had no qualms about making an ass of himself at times-and that must come with absolute confidence in one's talent and ability. His nimble footed forays on the dance floor were backed by such natural expressions and an inherent goofiness that he was a total entertainer. As they say, some faces were born to be on screen. Shammi Kapoor was undoubtedly one such face.
SAR PAR TOPI LAL HAATH MEIN
Anybody who as ever failed at anything should draw an inspiration from Shammi as none of his initial films created any impact. The comparison with Raj Kapoor and a highly successful wife Geeta Bali could have worried some. But Shammi kept trying till he developed his own style in this movie and it was a resounding success!! He swept the audiences with his non conformist streak, his mannerisms and unprecedented song delivery.
AASMAAN SE AAYA FARISHTA
In those days when heroes were supposed to be suited booted, appropriately clad gentlemen-there are stories of some hairy actors who would refuse to wear half sleeved shirts! Shammi Kapoor emerged as the non conformist screaming 'yahoo' of hill tops, playing hopscotch in a blanket and hanging down helicopters in a bath robe. That he did all this with his more than gym chiselled size is incredible. But who else had the gall to be absolutely berserk in front of the camera and let his hair down like this? The result of his bold performances was a total chilled out feel to most of these movies and unwinding in the true sense of the word. Hope he is dancing in the clouds somewhere:-))
RAAT KE HUMSAFAR THAK KE GHAR
And yet when he wanted he could transform into this uber stylish and suave gentleman, wooing demure ladies like noone else. His teddy bear persona made the women feel petite and lady-like in his presence. His smouldering intense gaze could warm the coldest of hearts and his self assured manner could put them at ease. I think he carried a suit rather well and did justice to these phoren locales so well. Shammi Kapoor was so many personas rolled into a big gooey grizzly-bear like package. Sensitive, cool,warm, fool, prankster, dancer, mimic, jubilant junglee and caring brahmachari. Difficult to sum up the ouevre of his talent!!! They certainly don't make them like him anymore...
The original rebel without a cause of Indian screen. Spontaneous like a wild fire, fun like an adorable buffoon, quicksilver expressions, blazing eyes, the James Dean puff, unmatched sense of rhythm and natural dancing ability, personal style and good looks to boot. He was a live wire, an icon and the most enjoyable and frolicsome face of Hindi movies. Most of his songs had the uncanny knack of transporting us to a better, livelier, happier world. His vibrance crackled on the screen and made movies such fun. Absolutely looooove this song.
EHSAAN TERA HOGA MUJH PAR
And whoever thought Shammi was all about jumping off trees and the slapstick has gotta watch this song. Can't remember anyone who has emoted better in a serious song. Shammi Kapoor definitely came across as someone most unselfconscious on screen, mirroring all kinds of emotions effortlessly. A complete artist, a life lived fully, truly, venerably.....
AAJ KAL TERE MERE PYAAR KE
And if you even want to sample what exactly is spontaneity, you have to watch this song to witness how two very spontaneous actors came together for this classic. The song oozes with subtle humour, playful rivalry, a refreshing irreverence, perfect synchronisation. Both these stars apparently did not need choreographers. With Shammi and Mumu you just had to turn the music on and they would dance like there was no tomorrow.
ISHARON ISHARON MEIN DIL LENE WALE
And yet at other times he could look deep, soulfully into a heroine's eyes and profess of undying love and togetherness, of un-defined oneness and sublime unison. I cannot forget a particular summer in Ahmedabad- it was a beautiful cantt with abandoned British Raj bungalows with their chimneys and wells and sloping roofs-my best friend Neeka and I would go for these long evening walks and had earmarked one such well in a haunted house as a wishing well. Every wednesday and friday we'd take a little detour from the tree lined roads, go to the wishing well-yes, two silly school girls were we at 16, child women, cherubic cool-and drop in coins and make an ardent wish. No don't get any ideas! We simply wished for our fav song in Chitrahaar that day. She wished for Shashi Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna and I wished for Dev Anand and Shammi Kapoor. I rememeber distinctly that we wanted to grow up fast primarily to meet someone who could sing looking into our eyes like this!!!;-))
AIYAIYYA SUKU SUKU
This song belongs to Helen in many ways, start as it does with a wonderful solo dance performance by her but can not imagine any other actor making a late entry into the song and yet outshine or at least match up to her. When he entered the frame, the frame lit up with energy and sparkle, he flirted with the camera, had no qualms about making an ass of himself at times-and that must come with absolute confidence in one's talent and ability. His nimble footed forays on the dance floor were backed by such natural expressions and an inherent goofiness that he was a total entertainer. As they say, some faces were born to be on screen. Shammi Kapoor was undoubtedly one such face.
SAR PAR TOPI LAL HAATH MEIN
Anybody who as ever failed at anything should draw an inspiration from Shammi as none of his initial films created any impact. The comparison with Raj Kapoor and a highly successful wife Geeta Bali could have worried some. But Shammi kept trying till he developed his own style in this movie and it was a resounding success!! He swept the audiences with his non conformist streak, his mannerisms and unprecedented song delivery.
AASMAAN SE AAYA FARISHTA
In those days when heroes were supposed to be suited booted, appropriately clad gentlemen-there are stories of some hairy actors who would refuse to wear half sleeved shirts! Shammi Kapoor emerged as the non conformist screaming 'yahoo' of hill tops, playing hopscotch in a blanket and hanging down helicopters in a bath robe. That he did all this with his more than gym chiselled size is incredible. But who else had the gall to be absolutely berserk in front of the camera and let his hair down like this? The result of his bold performances was a total chilled out feel to most of these movies and unwinding in the true sense of the word. Hope he is dancing in the clouds somewhere:-))
RAAT KE HUMSAFAR THAK KE GHAR
And yet when he wanted he could transform into this uber stylish and suave gentleman, wooing demure ladies like noone else. His teddy bear persona made the women feel petite and lady-like in his presence. His smouldering intense gaze could warm the coldest of hearts and his self assured manner could put them at ease. I think he carried a suit rather well and did justice to these phoren locales so well. Shammi Kapoor was so many personas rolled into a big gooey grizzly-bear like package. Sensitive, cool,warm, fool, prankster, dancer, mimic, jubilant junglee and caring brahmachari. Difficult to sum up the ouevre of his talent!!! They certainly don't make them like him anymore...
Thursday, August 11, 2011
KISHORE SONGS FOR YASH CHOPRA MOVIES
MAINE TUJHE MANGA TUJHE PAYA HAI
The oeuvre of Kishore's talent is huge. But today I am gonna explore some Kishore songs particularly sung for the Yash Raj camp because frankly I am a bit biased towards their movies, and their movies had superlative music. One major strong point of Yash Chopra movies was the depiction of realistic relationships between characters that were human and given to human frailties and foibles. Unlike some of today's movies where the people seem to be play-acting between one item song to the next, their movies involved people loving, faultering, hating, supporting and guiding each other through thick and thin, unfolding an engrossing narrative. So this lovely ditty from Deewar sung by Asha Bhonsle and Kishore-yeah they did deviate from Lata whom otherwise they idolised for particular music directors, this one being RD Burman for obvious reasons- and lyrics by my all time favourite Sahir.
JANEMAN TUM KAMAL KARTE HO
If until then Hindi heroines were mostly seen cooking, knitting and doing flower arrangements in their free time, Yash Chopra had them teeing off in lush green golf courses, having a say in boardrooms, enjoying a mean game of Tennis, enjoying power yoga in designer outfits and walking not one step behind the hero but hand in hand and schmoozing in style. It is due to the foresight of filmmakers such as these that women's movements in India took off in covert ways, earning them their rightful place in all spheres of life. His heroines were more than shrivelling maidens twiddling their thumbs , playing with saree pallus and yet not those typical gangsters' molls existing just to be used, abused and required only in the confines of closed hotel rooms. His heroes wooed them in style, giving them their worth of attention and adulation as someone to be pampered, cherished and treated at par. And the icing on the cake, he always made them look gorgeous like never before. And it was Kishore's voice that resonated the progressive spirit of a young, vibrant India.
MERE DIL MEIN AAJ KYA HAI
Kishore sang for a multitude of heroes but perhaps the face that did utmost justice to his voice was Rajesh Khanna. Also Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore shared a sizzling onscreen chemistry. They lifted the coy and 'dancing flowers' style romance of 60s to a visible and palpable meeting of two bodies and souls in the storming 70s. Lot of bold themes were explored and audiences lapped it up. Suddenly there was no beating around the bush but stranding storms, smouldering fireplaces, rooms (and blankets) to share and expressed desires. But the unfolding drama would not have been half as fun without the soul-lifting vocals of Kishore....
HUM AUR TUM TUM AUR HUM
Kishore and Lata were a favourite combination in Yash Chopra movies, as were snow capped mountains and love triangles. They can also be attributed with starting the trend of having a subtext in the title. This for instance was 'DAAG:A poem of love' a trend that was adopted by many later and almost done to death. Also a lot of unwed mothers in their movies...more about that later. Enjoy this beautiful song by LaxmikanT Pyarelal and Sahir Ludhianvi executed in typical Yash style! Sharmila looking quite the teeny bopper and Khanna posing as one and guess what! He could get away with it with a sweet l'il paunchy. But this was the 70s. I mean they could even get away with a bright yellow and black combination on Sharmila Tagore which I thought was only meant for Taxis, but surprisingly looking nice here!:-))
TERE CHEHRE SE NAZAR NAHIN HATATI
They were the proverbial love birds. Their freshness gave 'cute' a new meaning. Watching Rishi and Neetu romancing on screen is like having a warm cuppa of frothy coffee or masala chai in winters. They truly looked made for each other. If Kishore-Asha songs brought out their wild juvenile side, the Kishore-Lata combo preferred by the Yash Chopra camp made them look more romantic. It was Yash Chopra's vision all along to take actors to exotic locales, looking like a million bucks, dressed in vibrant hues and stylish, natty clothes and living life king size literally. Hey come on this was the seventies-esp this movie came in the terrible post emergency era- and noone wanted to see simpering darkness of sad sagas anymore. Yash Chopra gave 'em gloss, sheen and class like noone had ever done till date.
And to think that oldies like Sahir Ludhianvi and Khayyam could churn out such contemporary and evergreen songs is a revelation. True talent is ageless and limitless.......
SAR SE SARKI SARKI CHUNARIYA
Yash Chopra movies were an amalgamation of traditions and new ideas. Have a look at this very Indian song written by the inimitable Javed Akhtar and with music by the maestros Shiv-Hari. While these movies showcased Indian ethos, yet there were bold themes explored. Many single/unwed mothers or women having kids out of wedlock. From Rakhee in Daag to Waheeda in Kabhie Kabhie, Jaya in Silsila, Parveen Babi in Deewar and Preity Zinta in Salaam Namaste (produced by Yash Raj films) this was a recurring theme, but one done with such refinement and dignity that one couldn't help admiring these heroines even when such concepts were taboo in India. Yash Chopra films sure were heavy on the celestial wedding concept, romance being their forte. But then our myth is replete with such instances. Kunti was the original unwed mother. But ofcourse back in those times, these things happened with long distance transmogrification. Imagine worshipping the Sun and ending up with a son hahaha;-)))
KYA MAUSAM HAI CHAHAT KE KABIL
This movie produced by Yash Chopra is a beautifully done complex story-it is stunning how some 70s and 80s movies etched out finely nuanced roles with intricate human relations much better and more realistically than the movies today. I mean every time I watch 'Pati, Patni aur Woh' even today, I laugh like crazy coz it's so true and so funny!!! This movie had Rakhi as a hard core career woman that was a little rare then, her character is liberated and posh and she looked her best. The interesting interlude when the emancipated but lonely architect Rakhee comes across a younger newly married but confused younger guy is very nicely captured. Rishi ofcourse is irresistible as the younger, brash love interest. Come on I don't wanna reveal too much, watch it if you can. Lovely song by Roshan and Majrooh Sultanpuri. Even though Mohd Rafi and Lata too feature but the song clearly belongs to Kishore. So much for being an untrained singer!
EK RASTA HAI ZINDAGI
Lot of drama all around today. Watching News is more entertaining than any movie or soap opera today for this is opera of the masses, issues that touch our lives daily, issues that need to be thrashed out and resolved. Coming back to Kishore songs in Yash Chopra movies. It was not always chiffon and pearls. He did touch upon serious issues as in this movie based on the plight of coal miners in a crony capitalist set up. It was inspired by the Chasnala mining disaster. However the main plot was very similar to Joseph Conrad's novel Lord Jim. This song is the ultimate vagabond song, very few of its kind in Hindi movies. Most Indian songs are about holding on and clinging on but this is about letting go and being free. You may love a beautiful bird flying in the sky, you may love a shooting star, you may love a gurgling river but to think of holding on to it would be foolishness. There is a greater love to be experienced in communion with the universe, where each speck, each star, each being has a place and purpose. There is a greater love in being brave enough to let go what you want so dearly!:-) Ask a mother who let's go of a son to be a fighter pilot because that is what he wants to do the most. Ask the desert that waits patiently for rain, ask the nightingale how just looking at the moon from far away makes her heart sing. Great music by Rajesh Roshan and great singing by Kishore and Lata. But I am amazed it's written by the oh so poignant Sahir Ludhianvi. The guy knew his stuff!
MUJHE TUM YAAD KARNA AUR MUJHKO YAAD AANA TUM
In this movie Yash Chopra dealt with the morass of corruption that slowly gnaws at the fourth estate in our country. It was a hard hitting story based on how true journalism suffers when greater forces such as the mafia and politics take over.The film story written by Javed Akhtar was based on the well-known Marathi play "Ashroonchi Zhali Phule" written by famous Marathi writer playwright Vasant Kanetkar. As you can the song is shot in the unlikeliest of places you'd expect a Yash Chopra song, a railway track and some abandoned train coaches but the setting is refreshing and realistic. So it was not the Swiss Alps all the way. But what is the reception we give to such movies vis a vis the candyfloss? Perhaps in a country like India where millions eke out a menial living against all odds, going to the movies has always meant seeing things larger than life, beautiful and flawless which is why we are always heavy on the palatial houses, 24 seater dining tables and beds that look like strawberry cake! But the song is delightful in its own way. There was a time when saying goodbyes was painful. One would spend days crying, vacillating in nothingness for hours. With time one has to be mature enough to allow and want the other person to enjoy and even have a good time without you. Of course as long as its done within reasonable limits of acceptability!:-)) A very giving song, a very loving song, a very 'rising above loving' song!!
KIS KA RASTA DEKHE AE DIL AE TANHAI
Another unusual setting for a Yash Chopra song but one that has become happening off- late, a JAIL!!! But Dev Anand plays a man wrongly convicted for a crime he did not commit. The song has Kishore in that thoughtful, reflective reverie of a mood. It's almost like an internal monologue where he reflects on chances gone by and road not taken. It's a song that can moisten the eyes of anyone and make one empathise for all the wronged people in this world. Such people then live each day reminiscing a few good moments in their long forgotten past. People in their lives and loved ones too move on. All they look forward to is an end to all the miseries of the earth. But every day is a long wait, trapped in the cage of injustice and every moment a dull reminder of beautiful days gone by. One of Kishore's softest songs that I love listening to on a quiet, still night like this. Dev Anand is so good in it, he just new when to drop the absurd mannerisms and tell it like it is!
The oeuvre of Kishore's talent is huge. But today I am gonna explore some Kishore songs particularly sung for the Yash Raj camp because frankly I am a bit biased towards their movies, and their movies had superlative music. One major strong point of Yash Chopra movies was the depiction of realistic relationships between characters that were human and given to human frailties and foibles. Unlike some of today's movies where the people seem to be play-acting between one item song to the next, their movies involved people loving, faultering, hating, supporting and guiding each other through thick and thin, unfolding an engrossing narrative. So this lovely ditty from Deewar sung by Asha Bhonsle and Kishore-yeah they did deviate from Lata whom otherwise they idolised for particular music directors, this one being RD Burman for obvious reasons- and lyrics by my all time favourite Sahir.
JANEMAN TUM KAMAL KARTE HO
If until then Hindi heroines were mostly seen cooking, knitting and doing flower arrangements in their free time, Yash Chopra had them teeing off in lush green golf courses, having a say in boardrooms, enjoying a mean game of Tennis, enjoying power yoga in designer outfits and walking not one step behind the hero but hand in hand and schmoozing in style. It is due to the foresight of filmmakers such as these that women's movements in India took off in covert ways, earning them their rightful place in all spheres of life. His heroines were more than shrivelling maidens twiddling their thumbs , playing with saree pallus and yet not those typical gangsters' molls existing just to be used, abused and required only in the confines of closed hotel rooms. His heroes wooed them in style, giving them their worth of attention and adulation as someone to be pampered, cherished and treated at par. And the icing on the cake, he always made them look gorgeous like never before. And it was Kishore's voice that resonated the progressive spirit of a young, vibrant India.
MERE DIL MEIN AAJ KYA HAI
Kishore sang for a multitude of heroes but perhaps the face that did utmost justice to his voice was Rajesh Khanna. Also Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore shared a sizzling onscreen chemistry. They lifted the coy and 'dancing flowers' style romance of 60s to a visible and palpable meeting of two bodies and souls in the storming 70s. Lot of bold themes were explored and audiences lapped it up. Suddenly there was no beating around the bush but stranding storms, smouldering fireplaces, rooms (and blankets) to share and expressed desires. But the unfolding drama would not have been half as fun without the soul-lifting vocals of Kishore....
HUM AUR TUM TUM AUR HUM
Kishore and Lata were a favourite combination in Yash Chopra movies, as were snow capped mountains and love triangles. They can also be attributed with starting the trend of having a subtext in the title. This for instance was 'DAAG:A poem of love' a trend that was adopted by many later and almost done to death. Also a lot of unwed mothers in their movies...more about that later. Enjoy this beautiful song by LaxmikanT Pyarelal and Sahir Ludhianvi executed in typical Yash style! Sharmila looking quite the teeny bopper and Khanna posing as one and guess what! He could get away with it with a sweet l'il paunchy. But this was the 70s. I mean they could even get away with a bright yellow and black combination on Sharmila Tagore which I thought was only meant for Taxis, but surprisingly looking nice here!:-))
TERE CHEHRE SE NAZAR NAHIN HATATI
They were the proverbial love birds. Their freshness gave 'cute' a new meaning. Watching Rishi and Neetu romancing on screen is like having a warm cuppa of frothy coffee or masala chai in winters. They truly looked made for each other. If Kishore-Asha songs brought out their wild juvenile side, the Kishore-Lata combo preferred by the Yash Chopra camp made them look more romantic. It was Yash Chopra's vision all along to take actors to exotic locales, looking like a million bucks, dressed in vibrant hues and stylish, natty clothes and living life king size literally. Hey come on this was the seventies-esp this movie came in the terrible post emergency era- and noone wanted to see simpering darkness of sad sagas anymore. Yash Chopra gave 'em gloss, sheen and class like noone had ever done till date.
And to think that oldies like Sahir Ludhianvi and Khayyam could churn out such contemporary and evergreen songs is a revelation. True talent is ageless and limitless.......
SAR SE SARKI SARKI CHUNARIYA
Yash Chopra movies were an amalgamation of traditions and new ideas. Have a look at this very Indian song written by the inimitable Javed Akhtar and with music by the maestros Shiv-Hari. While these movies showcased Indian ethos, yet there were bold themes explored. Many single/unwed mothers or women having kids out of wedlock. From Rakhee in Daag to Waheeda in Kabhie Kabhie, Jaya in Silsila, Parveen Babi in Deewar and Preity Zinta in Salaam Namaste (produced by Yash Raj films) this was a recurring theme, but one done with such refinement and dignity that one couldn't help admiring these heroines even when such concepts were taboo in India. Yash Chopra films sure were heavy on the celestial wedding concept, romance being their forte. But then our myth is replete with such instances. Kunti was the original unwed mother. But ofcourse back in those times, these things happened with long distance transmogrification. Imagine worshipping the Sun and ending up with a son hahaha;-)))
KYA MAUSAM HAI CHAHAT KE KABIL
This movie produced by Yash Chopra is a beautifully done complex story-it is stunning how some 70s and 80s movies etched out finely nuanced roles with intricate human relations much better and more realistically than the movies today. I mean every time I watch 'Pati, Patni aur Woh' even today, I laugh like crazy coz it's so true and so funny!!! This movie had Rakhi as a hard core career woman that was a little rare then, her character is liberated and posh and she looked her best. The interesting interlude when the emancipated but lonely architect Rakhee comes across a younger newly married but confused younger guy is very nicely captured. Rishi ofcourse is irresistible as the younger, brash love interest. Come on I don't wanna reveal too much, watch it if you can. Lovely song by Roshan and Majrooh Sultanpuri. Even though Mohd Rafi and Lata too feature but the song clearly belongs to Kishore. So much for being an untrained singer!
EK RASTA HAI ZINDAGI
Lot of drama all around today. Watching News is more entertaining than any movie or soap opera today for this is opera of the masses, issues that touch our lives daily, issues that need to be thrashed out and resolved. Coming back to Kishore songs in Yash Chopra movies. It was not always chiffon and pearls. He did touch upon serious issues as in this movie based on the plight of coal miners in a crony capitalist set up. It was inspired by the Chasnala mining disaster. However the main plot was very similar to Joseph Conrad's novel Lord Jim. This song is the ultimate vagabond song, very few of its kind in Hindi movies. Most Indian songs are about holding on and clinging on but this is about letting go and being free. You may love a beautiful bird flying in the sky, you may love a shooting star, you may love a gurgling river but to think of holding on to it would be foolishness. There is a greater love to be experienced in communion with the universe, where each speck, each star, each being has a place and purpose. There is a greater love in being brave enough to let go what you want so dearly!:-) Ask a mother who let's go of a son to be a fighter pilot because that is what he wants to do the most. Ask the desert that waits patiently for rain, ask the nightingale how just looking at the moon from far away makes her heart sing. Great music by Rajesh Roshan and great singing by Kishore and Lata. But I am amazed it's written by the oh so poignant Sahir Ludhianvi. The guy knew his stuff!
MUJHE TUM YAAD KARNA AUR MUJHKO YAAD AANA TUM
In this movie Yash Chopra dealt with the morass of corruption that slowly gnaws at the fourth estate in our country. It was a hard hitting story based on how true journalism suffers when greater forces such as the mafia and politics take over.The film story written by Javed Akhtar was based on the well-known Marathi play "Ashroonchi Zhali Phule" written by famous Marathi writer playwright Vasant Kanetkar. As you can the song is shot in the unlikeliest of places you'd expect a Yash Chopra song, a railway track and some abandoned train coaches but the setting is refreshing and realistic. So it was not the Swiss Alps all the way. But what is the reception we give to such movies vis a vis the candyfloss? Perhaps in a country like India where millions eke out a menial living against all odds, going to the movies has always meant seeing things larger than life, beautiful and flawless which is why we are always heavy on the palatial houses, 24 seater dining tables and beds that look like strawberry cake! But the song is delightful in its own way. There was a time when saying goodbyes was painful. One would spend days crying, vacillating in nothingness for hours. With time one has to be mature enough to allow and want the other person to enjoy and even have a good time without you. Of course as long as its done within reasonable limits of acceptability!:-)) A very giving song, a very loving song, a very 'rising above loving' song!!
KIS KA RASTA DEKHE AE DIL AE TANHAI
Another unusual setting for a Yash Chopra song but one that has become happening off- late, a JAIL!!! But Dev Anand plays a man wrongly convicted for a crime he did not commit. The song has Kishore in that thoughtful, reflective reverie of a mood. It's almost like an internal monologue where he reflects on chances gone by and road not taken. It's a song that can moisten the eyes of anyone and make one empathise for all the wronged people in this world. Such people then live each day reminiscing a few good moments in their long forgotten past. People in their lives and loved ones too move on. All they look forward to is an end to all the miseries of the earth. But every day is a long wait, trapped in the cage of injustice and every moment a dull reminder of beautiful days gone by. One of Kishore's softest songs that I love listening to on a quiet, still night like this. Dev Anand is so good in it, he just new when to drop the absurd mannerisms and tell it like it is!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
KISHORE'S BEST TEENYBOPPER ROMANCE SONGS
KHULLAM KHULLA PYAAR KARENGE
No one could beat Rishi- Neetu in teenybopper romance. They made love look like sooo much fun. They portrayed on screen an all new permissiveness, more cute than hot. They were like two buddies on a roll, two great friends having a rollicking time be it getting drunk and painting the town red or sneaking out of hostels at midnight. BTW notice the music when Roshan is mixing the sinful booze into their orange juice. Oops circa 2011 orange juice is a dirty word all over again for very different reasons after Delhi Belly. Believe me I have not touched the stuff since!! The best part about these songs is when I tell my daughter that this grooving couple is Ranbir Kapoor's mummy papa. She really laughs as if mummy papas are not supposed to do fun idiotic things. But Kishore and Asha sang these songs with so much conviction and Rishi-Neetu played it best!! :-))
TERE CHEHRE SE NAZAR NAHIN HATTI
They were the proverbial love birds. Their freshness gave 'cute' a new meaning. Watching Rishi and Neetu romancing on screen is like having a warm cuppa of frothy coffee or masala chai in winters. They truly looked made for each other. If Kishore-Asha songs brought out their wild juvenile side, the Kishore-Lata combo preferred by the Yash Chopra camp made them look more romantic. It was Yash Chopra's vision all along to take actors to exotic locales, looking like a million bucks, dressed in vibrant hues and stylish, natty clothes and living life king size literally. Hey come on this was the seventies-esp this movie came in the terrible post emergency era- and noone wanted to see simpering darkness of sad sagas anymore. Yash Chopra gave 'em gloss, sheen and class like noone had ever done till date.
And to think that oldies like Sahir Ludhianvi and Khayyam could churn out such contemporary and evergreen songs is a revelation. True talent is ageless and limitless.......
TERA PHOOLON JAISA RANG
Part of the charm of the Facebook phenomenon is that it makes us imagine we live in a quasi Riverdale High. There are the Archies, there are the snooty Veronicas, the sweet Bettys, there are the Reggies and definite Jugheads around. It's all in fun and jest. It's interesting how this song is so Archies, yet the movie back in 1976 raised the contentious issue of how a love child has to fight for his/her right in a society as constrictingly stifling as India. Neetu(she was always the sweetest Betty, wasn't she?) here pitted against the snobbish Veronica, Tamanna. New age concepts of single motherhood and Live In relationships are fine and I feel women are capable of raising a kid on their own but the woman has to be financially very sound and know what she is getting into. It often makes sense to make peace and give a child a wholesome environment. At the same time I know of marriages sticking around only for the sake of the children, which I don't know whether its a good or bad thing. Life is a little more testing than simply putting an 'It's complicated' status on FB. It's a little more complicated than Riverdale High!:-)
KYA YAHI PYAAR HAI
A lovely and calming Kishore-Lata duet set to RD's music. Sanjay Dutt looks particularly gawky and unsure in his debut movie-the choreography is no great shakes either and imagine shooting such a song with your Dad in attendance. Sunil Dutt was the director! But Tina Munim was pretty poised even then and looked lovely in those teeny bopper ensembles. The song describes that unsure stage when you wonder if it's love or if you are just hyperventilating. Look out for some predicatable signs and symptoms. As for me, yeah I am in love....with this song hahaha;-))
EK MAIN AUR EK TU
Guess I have to return to Rishi-Neetu to round off this one. They pretty much defined sweet innocent love. Their dance moves looked so not-rehearsed, their look was so right- catch Neetu sporting pigtails and black nailpaint even back then. It's like when I am in a cosmetics shop looking for nailpaints, my daughter comes up to me and says take this green, yellow, black and I am like yeauuuwww!!! And I almost faint when I see some of the short dresses I wore in college especially a blue and white tight lycra number that I wore on my college farewell-yes, preserved it for my daughter! But that is what youth is all about. Experimenting and carrying off most things with cheek and chutzpah. Yes, today one knows what one wants. Or atleast one knows what one doesn't want or what doesn't suit one. I know I am old for black nail paint and skirts soooo short.(Reminds me of that quaint ad- I am too old for mini skirts too young to be a grandma. But i think you're just right for Amul chocolates!!) Or knee high boots, for that matter. Now that's an instant age diffuser. Ummm Don't think i'll ever give up those. It's one thing you'll find me wearing even when I am 50 atleast. As it is feeling very young today, waiting for ma and pa to come over, coz i get to behave like a teenager when they are around.:-)))
No one could beat Rishi- Neetu in teenybopper romance. They made love look like sooo much fun. They portrayed on screen an all new permissiveness, more cute than hot. They were like two buddies on a roll, two great friends having a rollicking time be it getting drunk and painting the town red or sneaking out of hostels at midnight. BTW notice the music when Roshan is mixing the sinful booze into their orange juice. Oops circa 2011 orange juice is a dirty word all over again for very different reasons after Delhi Belly. Believe me I have not touched the stuff since!! The best part about these songs is when I tell my daughter that this grooving couple is Ranbir Kapoor's mummy papa. She really laughs as if mummy papas are not supposed to do fun idiotic things. But Kishore and Asha sang these songs with so much conviction and Rishi-Neetu played it best!! :-))
TERE CHEHRE SE NAZAR NAHIN HATTI
They were the proverbial love birds. Their freshness gave 'cute' a new meaning. Watching Rishi and Neetu romancing on screen is like having a warm cuppa of frothy coffee or masala chai in winters. They truly looked made for each other. If Kishore-Asha songs brought out their wild juvenile side, the Kishore-Lata combo preferred by the Yash Chopra camp made them look more romantic. It was Yash Chopra's vision all along to take actors to exotic locales, looking like a million bucks, dressed in vibrant hues and stylish, natty clothes and living life king size literally. Hey come on this was the seventies-esp this movie came in the terrible post emergency era- and noone wanted to see simpering darkness of sad sagas anymore. Yash Chopra gave 'em gloss, sheen and class like noone had ever done till date.
And to think that oldies like Sahir Ludhianvi and Khayyam could churn out such contemporary and evergreen songs is a revelation. True talent is ageless and limitless.......
TERA PHOOLON JAISA RANG
Part of the charm of the Facebook phenomenon is that it makes us imagine we live in a quasi Riverdale High. There are the Archies, there are the snooty Veronicas, the sweet Bettys, there are the Reggies and definite Jugheads around. It's all in fun and jest. It's interesting how this song is so Archies, yet the movie back in 1976 raised the contentious issue of how a love child has to fight for his/her right in a society as constrictingly stifling as India. Neetu(she was always the sweetest Betty, wasn't she?) here pitted against the snobbish Veronica, Tamanna. New age concepts of single motherhood and Live In relationships are fine and I feel women are capable of raising a kid on their own but the woman has to be financially very sound and know what she is getting into. It often makes sense to make peace and give a child a wholesome environment. At the same time I know of marriages sticking around only for the sake of the children, which I don't know whether its a good or bad thing. Life is a little more testing than simply putting an 'It's complicated' status on FB. It's a little more complicated than Riverdale High!:-)
KYA YAHI PYAAR HAI
A lovely and calming Kishore-Lata duet set to RD's music. Sanjay Dutt looks particularly gawky and unsure in his debut movie-the choreography is no great shakes either and imagine shooting such a song with your Dad in attendance. Sunil Dutt was the director! But Tina Munim was pretty poised even then and looked lovely in those teeny bopper ensembles. The song describes that unsure stage when you wonder if it's love or if you are just hyperventilating. Look out for some predicatable signs and symptoms. As for me, yeah I am in love....with this song hahaha;-))
EK MAIN AUR EK TU
Guess I have to return to Rishi-Neetu to round off this one. They pretty much defined sweet innocent love. Their dance moves looked so not-rehearsed, their look was so right- catch Neetu sporting pigtails and black nailpaint even back then. It's like when I am in a cosmetics shop looking for nailpaints, my daughter comes up to me and says take this green, yellow, black and I am like yeauuuwww!!! And I almost faint when I see some of the short dresses I wore in college especially a blue and white tight lycra number that I wore on my college farewell-yes, preserved it for my daughter! But that is what youth is all about. Experimenting and carrying off most things with cheek and chutzpah. Yes, today one knows what one wants. Or atleast one knows what one doesn't want or what doesn't suit one. I know I am old for black nail paint and skirts soooo short.(Reminds me of that quaint ad- I am too old for mini skirts too young to be a grandma. But i think you're just right for Amul chocolates!!) Or knee high boots, for that matter. Now that's an instant age diffuser. Ummm Don't think i'll ever give up those. It's one thing you'll find me wearing even when I am 50 atleast. As it is feeling very young today, waiting for ma and pa to come over, coz i get to behave like a teenager when they are around.:-)))
Sunday, August 7, 2011
KISHORE'S BEST ROMANTIC SONGS-STORMING 70s
MERE DIL MEIN AAJ KYA HAI
Kishore sang for a multitude of heroes but perhaps the face that did utmost justice to his voice was Rajesh Khanna. Also Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore shared a sizzling onscreen chemistry. They lifted the coy and 'dancing flowers' style romance of 60s to a visible and palpable meeting of two bodies and souls in the storming 70s. Lot of bold themes were explored and audiences lapped it up. Suddenly there was no beating around the bush but stranding storms, smouldering fireplaces, rooms (and blankets) to share and expressed desires. But the unfolding drama would not have been half as fun without the soul-lifting vocals of Kishore....
SUNO KAHO KAHA SUNA
Ofcourse the only heroine who came close to Sharmila's chemistry with khanna and maybe outdid it was Mumu. Rajesh Khanna and Mumu backed by Kishore and Lata scorched the screen automatically. Mumtaz running in this yellow sharara is one of those golden screen moments etched in the memory of Hindi movie fans and Khanna just had to be himself, blinking eyes in his trademark style, creating euphoria amidst college girlsand their moms equally and sans 6 pack abs mind you! Together they made this Q and A natter of 'sweet-nothings' hugely entertaining. So whether it was aimless speculation about their yet to develop relationship or dancing wildly under the influence of bhang, their fans lapped it all up. RD's music rocked all through and Kishore provided the much needed backbone to these moments....and romance reigned supreme!!:-))
O MERE DIL KE CHAYN
So the lethal combo of Kishore's voice and Rajesh's acting wooed one leading lady after the other often to exacting standards. These were songs that every giggly girl wanted to be sung to, every demure debutante dreamt of being caressed with, every mysterious married woman revelled in, every lonely person longed to break the ice with and probably every grandma related to with fond memories. The beauty of these songs was the seeming effortlessness with which they wove their magic. Perfect synergies were at work-heartfelt lyrics, gimmick free music, genuine even if a little affected acting, personal charisma of the stars and a voice with character and cadence.
PYAAR MANGA HAI TUMHI SE
If you talk of pure expression and melody, I find this one to be one of Kishore's best. I feel he breathes life and passion into this song. Handled any other way the song could have almost sounded desperate due to its rather assertive lyrics. But it was the genius of Kishore that he softened the sound wherever the words were too strong and gave it credibility and honesty rather than a 'pile on' kind of feel. The result is a heady and irresistible cocktail of perfect emotions, ambience and occasion. Now tell me which girl in her right senses could ignore a song like this!
AISE NA MUJHE TUM DEKHO
Considering Kishore's countless romantic songs, I'll always rate this one pretty high. It has a zany lilt and a catchy beat to it. It's a timeless song, a weightless song, a sensuous and daring song. When I checked out the video it was not half as fun even though it has the legendary Dev and Zeenie baby but is filmed in one of those cliched Hindi movie plots that at times do no justice to awesome songs. So I certainly feel its a great song to listen to. It's a typical RD song who added so many indefinable touches to each song in terms of musical variations, though the lyrics are typical Anand Bakshi who epitomised commercial, workable, doable, viable writing for Hindi movies. Kishore has again given that soft and silky texture at places with some yodelling too. Talk of a song killing me softly....
Kishore sang for a multitude of heroes but perhaps the face that did utmost justice to his voice was Rajesh Khanna. Also Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore shared a sizzling onscreen chemistry. They lifted the coy and 'dancing flowers' style romance of 60s to a visible and palpable meeting of two bodies and souls in the storming 70s. Lot of bold themes were explored and audiences lapped it up. Suddenly there was no beating around the bush but stranding storms, smouldering fireplaces, rooms (and blankets) to share and expressed desires. But the unfolding drama would not have been half as fun without the soul-lifting vocals of Kishore....
SUNO KAHO KAHA SUNA
Ofcourse the only heroine who came close to Sharmila's chemistry with khanna and maybe outdid it was Mumu. Rajesh Khanna and Mumu backed by Kishore and Lata scorched the screen automatically. Mumtaz running in this yellow sharara is one of those golden screen moments etched in the memory of Hindi movie fans and Khanna just had to be himself, blinking eyes in his trademark style, creating euphoria amidst college girlsand their moms equally and sans 6 pack abs mind you! Together they made this Q and A natter of 'sweet-nothings' hugely entertaining. So whether it was aimless speculation about their yet to develop relationship or dancing wildly under the influence of bhang, their fans lapped it all up. RD's music rocked all through and Kishore provided the much needed backbone to these moments....and romance reigned supreme!!:-))
O MERE DIL KE CHAYN
So the lethal combo of Kishore's voice and Rajesh's acting wooed one leading lady after the other often to exacting standards. These were songs that every giggly girl wanted to be sung to, every demure debutante dreamt of being caressed with, every mysterious married woman revelled in, every lonely person longed to break the ice with and probably every grandma related to with fond memories. The beauty of these songs was the seeming effortlessness with which they wove their magic. Perfect synergies were at work-heartfelt lyrics, gimmick free music, genuine even if a little affected acting, personal charisma of the stars and a voice with character and cadence.
PYAAR MANGA HAI TUMHI SE
If you talk of pure expression and melody, I find this one to be one of Kishore's best. I feel he breathes life and passion into this song. Handled any other way the song could have almost sounded desperate due to its rather assertive lyrics. But it was the genius of Kishore that he softened the sound wherever the words were too strong and gave it credibility and honesty rather than a 'pile on' kind of feel. The result is a heady and irresistible cocktail of perfect emotions, ambience and occasion. Now tell me which girl in her right senses could ignore a song like this!
AISE NA MUJHE TUM DEKHO
Considering Kishore's countless romantic songs, I'll always rate this one pretty high. It has a zany lilt and a catchy beat to it. It's a timeless song, a weightless song, a sensuous and daring song. When I checked out the video it was not half as fun even though it has the legendary Dev and Zeenie baby but is filmed in one of those cliched Hindi movie plots that at times do no justice to awesome songs. So I certainly feel its a great song to listen to. It's a typical RD song who added so many indefinable touches to each song in terms of musical variations, though the lyrics are typical Anand Bakshi who epitomised commercial, workable, doable, viable writing for Hindi movies. Kishore has again given that soft and silky texture at places with some yodelling too. Talk of a song killing me softly....
TRIBUTE TO KISHORE-A RETROSPECTIVE-Friendship Day Songs
MERE SAPNON KI RANI
And who is immune to the pulsating charm of this song? It has the thrill and adventure of a formula one race, the wide eyed wonder of a toy train, the sing song rhythm of a gushing rail, the shrill exuberance of an echoing mountain whistle, the dependability of a harmonica playing cum meandering driver buddy, the blossoming beauty of Sharmila(reading Alistair Maclean no less!) and Khanna looking rather dapper. Kishore of course is the soul of this song, exhibiting endearing magnetism at its best! During my Chitrahaar childhood, this lone song could make my whole week like nothing else!!:-)
TERA MUJH SE HAI PEHLE KA NATA
Being an army officer's children meant that mostly dad was stationed in a place in the back of beyond and a good school would always be in the nearest decent sized town 50km or more away. Hitching on to olive green 3 ton fauji trucks with make-shift seats and a stern looking jawan or JCO to mind us on the way, we set out for schools in the wee hours of the morning. In winters it would be almost dark when we left and returned again in the very late afternoon. What made those bumpy rides worthwhile were friends who would keep favourite seats for us, get an extra helping of things in their tiffin we liked(some bookworm type girls even finished their and our HW in the rickety ride yeah!) and bouts of antakshari. It was songs like these that made those loooongish jaunts to school fun and time just flew away. :-)
YEH DOSTI HUM NAHIN TODENGE
These long haul trips to school were not devoid of adventures. Some of these trucks had a little sun window in the front that could be opened. So we'd take turns to coax the fauji conductor bhaiya to let us hang our head out standing on one of the benches. The result would be we'd traverse an hour long journey with hair flying in the wind vis a vis the warm environs of down below. A major coup would be to convince the driver and conductor to stop the truck near a tamarind tree to pluck a whole lot of tangy imli beans that we would relish tongue teasingly all the way. Once we left in the morning in heavy rain, but on the way back a river on the way had overflown and a bridge was not to be located in the water in spate. We hung around that place for over 3-4 hours till late evening. There were no cellphones of course. Parents were okay with the knowledge that two very conscientious and duty bound jawans were there to take care of a truckload of rather noisy, restless and progressively hungry kids. Friendship was easy and natural and agenda-free. Life was in perfect sync and complete, in an uncomplicated camaraderie like a ramshackle bike and a side car.:-))
And who is immune to the pulsating charm of this song? It has the thrill and adventure of a formula one race, the wide eyed wonder of a toy train, the sing song rhythm of a gushing rail, the shrill exuberance of an echoing mountain whistle, the dependability of a harmonica playing cum meandering driver buddy, the blossoming beauty of Sharmila(reading Alistair Maclean no less!) and Khanna looking rather dapper. Kishore of course is the soul of this song, exhibiting endearing magnetism at its best! During my Chitrahaar childhood, this lone song could make my whole week like nothing else!!:-)
TERA MUJH SE HAI PEHLE KA NATA
Being an army officer's children meant that mostly dad was stationed in a place in the back of beyond and a good school would always be in the nearest decent sized town 50km or more away. Hitching on to olive green 3 ton fauji trucks with make-shift seats and a stern looking jawan or JCO to mind us on the way, we set out for schools in the wee hours of the morning. In winters it would be almost dark when we left and returned again in the very late afternoon. What made those bumpy rides worthwhile were friends who would keep favourite seats for us, get an extra helping of things in their tiffin we liked(some bookworm type girls even finished their and our HW in the rickety ride yeah!) and bouts of antakshari. It was songs like these that made those loooongish jaunts to school fun and time just flew away. :-)
YEH DOSTI HUM NAHIN TODENGE
These long haul trips to school were not devoid of adventures. Some of these trucks had a little sun window in the front that could be opened. So we'd take turns to coax the fauji conductor bhaiya to let us hang our head out standing on one of the benches. The result would be we'd traverse an hour long journey with hair flying in the wind vis a vis the warm environs of down below. A major coup would be to convince the driver and conductor to stop the truck near a tamarind tree to pluck a whole lot of tangy imli beans that we would relish tongue teasingly all the way. Once we left in the morning in heavy rain, but on the way back a river on the way had overflown and a bridge was not to be located in the water in spate. We hung around that place for over 3-4 hours till late evening. There were no cellphones of course. Parents were okay with the knowledge that two very conscientious and duty bound jawans were there to take care of a truckload of rather noisy, restless and progressively hungry kids. Friendship was easy and natural and agenda-free. Life was in perfect sync and complete, in an uncomplicated camaraderie like a ramshackle bike and a side car.:-))
Friday, August 5, 2011
TRIBUTE TO KISHORE-A RETOSPECTIVE
Contrary to popular belief that his best duets were with Asha (though they had their own teenybopper charm), I feel Kishore sung some stunning songs with Lata. Here's one for instance....
The lead pair is no wa wa woom though. Rakesh Roshan who could never reach the A league of actors and Rekha looks particularly unpolished yet and unsure(can't believe she is actually wearing a gold set- aiyyo amma!!!-with a floral chiffon in broad day light) The movie was one of those war movies that came in a spurt after India's bloody wars with Pakistan and China, romanticising trouble at the borders as nationalism and patriotism. Maybe those wars had been necessary. But today in retrospect one thinks how wars always halt progress and take things back by almost a decade. So I stand with my view that wars are avoidable. Haha As they say make love, not war...
The lead pair is no wa wa woom though. Rakesh Roshan who could never reach the A league of actors and Rekha looks particularly unpolished yet and unsure(can't believe she is actually wearing a gold set- aiyyo amma!!!-with a floral chiffon in broad day light) The movie was one of those war movies that came in a spurt after India's bloody wars with Pakistan and China, romanticising trouble at the borders as nationalism and patriotism. Maybe those wars had been necessary. But today in retrospect one thinks how wars always halt progress and take things back by almost a decade. So I stand with my view that wars are avoidable. Haha As they say make love, not war...
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