100 YEARS OF INDIAN CINEMA-2 SONGS THAT SAY IT ALL

100 Years of Indian Cinema. What a momentous occasion! The magic of Indian movies has endured ten decades with diverse changes, it has spanned cultures,regions, languages, styles of film making. These movies have created moments of beautiful fantasy and festivity. These movies have narrated stories of courage and conflicts, of audacity and hope, love and longing, relationships and rifts, of remorse and retribution. 

No colour of life remains untouched by the silver screen. Myriad moods, scenic settings, exquisite aesthetics, trends, fashions, idioms, attitudes-our movies may have influenced us more than we can imagine. I for one, draw a lot of inspiration and entertainment from the classic songs. Oh yes the music too is unique. All our movies are musicals at the end of the day. There is a song for every possible situation on Earth. 

And long after the movie is forgotten or story blurred in the memory, the songs remain as little kernels of truth, tiny capsules of captive attention. Bringing you two of the most beautiful songs ever, from the same movie, the same actress, and the same singer-Madhubala and Lata who arguably define the best there ever was-but two different moods and cultures shown, two different settings and premises. That was after all the whole idea of movies. Same people, same faces, more or less the same stories but ever changing styles of depicting them, different nuances, quicksilver, fluid emotions, dotted forever on the sands of time.

This first song, for me is the most beautiful song of all times on Indian screen. Madhubala's porcelain beauty, her fire and ice, red and pale blue costume(a rather unusual combination) but so befitting. She looks like an ice maiden and dances as if skating on ice but one look at those eyes and they flash rebellion, audacity, recklessness all rolled into one tight knot of fire within. More than any other books or tutorials, perhaps it was songs such as these that sparked the first little ignitions of imagination, that fueled our passions and urged us to dare, to dream and to defy.

The second song though completely contrasting to the first one, has a special charm of it's own. For one it shows a typical Krishna-raas leela song in a Mughal Emperor's court. This song did not come out of the blue. It showcases the rich and tolerant culture of our land. Such mingling of cultures was a common tradition especially during Emperor Akbar's time who even married a Hindu queen called Jodha.

The lyrics of the song are beautifully Indian, inspired from so much folklore that revolves Krishna and Radha. Krishna after all was the naughtiest and most vibrant of all Gods. He was surrounded by women whose hearts he won by mischief and pranks but Radha was his eternal partner. What a beautiful simile then for Anarkali to see Krishna in her Emperor, who'd come humour her a bit, throw a pebble and there her whole pitcher would break and leave her in a mess, drenched in his love. His mere glance was enough to undo her veil and all she was left with was the magic of his mischievous eyes. Now the the song entrenched in Hindu traditions is performed by Madhubala, a Muslim, the music is by Naushad, the film maker was Kamal Amrohi, the lyricist was Shakeel Badayuni. This industry has been exemplary in it's secular values and beliefs. The fact is that I haven't seen a better Krishna Raas leela song till date. For anyone who has problems understanding India, just watch this song and go figure.

BEST TRAIN SONGS

16 April 1853 was the historic date when India's first passenger train journey took place between Bori Bunder in Mumbai and Thane. Covering a distance of 34 kilometres, it was hauled by three locomotives, Sahib, Sindh, and Sultan. Train journeys have a romance of their own.The sing song rhythm, the rumbling, the whistles, the temporary home away from home feeling, interesting co-passengers and countless stations. Yeah, and not to miss the meals.

Remembering the romance of those great train journeys that temporarily took one to seventh heaven on wheels, I bring my 7 favourite train songs:


TRAIN SONG 1: 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. There is Kalpana, cute as a button but was a few film wonder and was forgotten. But this is one of her best songs. Perhaps it's just the ambience in the song, the toy train perhaps is from Darjeeling hills. There is a similar train that goes from Kalka to Shimla that also offers a spectacular journey through the hills, quaint tunnels and sleepy little railway stations you want to stop and paint on a canvas or at least capture on camera, as you pass through! I almost get left behind at every station! Absolutely looooove this song written by Shailendra and composed by Shankar Jaikishan.

SONG 2: MERE SAPNON KI RANI

And who is immune to the pulsating charm of this song, written by Anand Bakshi and composed by S D Burman? 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 in a Nepali cap. Kishore of course is the soul of this song, exhibiting endearing magnetism at its best! During my Chitrahaar childhood, when my best friend and I would actually go to a wishing well and wish for (Lo and behold, nothing out of this world but Dev Anand and Rajesh Khanna songs in the evening!), this lone song could make my whole week like nothing else!!:-)

SONG 3: KASTO MAZZA HAI RAILAIMA

It was almost like history repeating itself when so many years later Parineeta cashed in on that same train magic by placing Sharmila's son Saif Ali Khan on the same train, this time dreamily thinking of his lady love Vidya Balan, who in this movie played the typical Bengali wife in red and white saree, red bindi and the works. This is one of Saif's best roles ever that brought out a very humane, vulnerable and sensitive side of him to the fore. Simply loved his chemistry with Vidya in this. I have somehow lost all his performances ever since as I end up comparing them to this one.

The music by Shantanu Moitra is racy yet traditional. Sonu Nigam( oh what's his latest spelling?) who was at the pinnacle of his career that time, pumps lot of soul into the song. The cute kids on the bus and their chirpy chorus is in Nepali and adds to the appeal and authenticity of the song. Well, come July and I have a trip planned to the Eastern region of India. I am just aching to get onto this train and sing a few songs of my own!





SONG 4: APNI TO HAR AAH IK TOOFAN HAI

Though not one of Rafi's best songs, but what makes this song fun to watch is the situation created and conceptualised. Dev Anand's histrionics too add to the charm. He is obviously fascinated by a beautiful co-passenger such as Waheeda Rehman (Who wouldn't be?) but she is accompanied by her parents. Dev very comically pretends to be singing a prayer addressing God as 'Uparwala' while the sleeping beauty lies peacefully on the top birth! Go ahead enjoy and savour romance, old fashioned style where the hundred impediments to meeting someone were indeed part of the whole charm, I seriously believe that it was the impediments that made people more romantic once upon a time.

And these are different times. We would be ill advised to try singing such songs in moving trains anymore. You could be arrested for sexual harrassment!

 




SONG 5: SUNIYE KAHIYE

This song though not a typical train song, has some scenes unfolding in a Mumbai local train. Infact the whole story unfolds in these trains. This is one movie I must have watched 50 times and can still catch it if it is coming on TV. Very soft, smooth and comical romance with no starry airs. Amol Palekar, well I loved him for his simplicity and normal-ness. Tina Munim is dewy fresh and oh so innocent. Wonderful character actors in the form of Pearl Padamsee and David, typical Bombay catholic community, their easy going and charming life, makes this movie, 'Baaton Baaton Mein', a real treat.  This song by Kishore and Asha sums up the gentle mood of the movie.
 

SONG 6: MUJHE TUM YAAD KARNA AUR MUJHKO

Again not a conventional train song but set on a train track and some empty train coaches. But what an original setting. A very tapori looking Anil Kapoor and a radiant Rati Agnihotri look so much at ease romancing here than any remote hill in Switzerland. And imagine it was a Yash Chopra movie! So the maestro knew what he was doing. He did try his hand at realistic settings and it can't get more real than this. Lata and Kishore's vocals and the infectious charm of the two actors as if did not require any more props and the song still resonates with a lot of real love-shove for me. For what is more loving than bidding adieau so fondly and then waiting anxiously for someone to come back. This song is the real deal! 

SONG 7: CHAIYYAN CHAIYYAN


Enough said. I guess this is a recent song and everyone knows why it became popular, but why I love it is simply because of Gulzar's lyrics. It was from this song that he carved out a new image for himself, changing with the times, adapting a new idiom, relating to young audiences and yet not letting go of good poetry. So salute to Gulzar Saheb for that. If some of you want to salute Malaika Arora's waist, well totally upto you!! :-)

ASHA GEETA-FACE OFF

Song 8, ZINDAGI ITTEFAQ HAI version II: 21 Mar 2013

Asha Bhosle sings the same song this time as a duet with Mahendra Kapoor, that clarion call of a voice we remember from our childhood Mahabharat days when every Sunday all streets would be totally empty and traffic would come to a standstill as Mahendra Kapoor bellowed, " MAAAHAAAABHAAAAARAT" and woke us up. His voice is definitely the voice of a farmer from Punjab or a soldier making merry with peers on some frontier with a drink in his white enamel ware mug!

But Asha balances his rustic timbre with her infectious charm. The mood is somewhat sombre here. This time there is another pretty, mysterious damsel who graces the scene-of course there has to be. The club crooner is sporting enough to not even ask the hunk as to who is she, where is she, what the plot is at the other end. She is expected to give explanations for every alliance-fake or real- of hers but she gracefully accepts that the hero might after all have a love of his life too, a love that nurtures him or one that bothers him. The club crooner selflessly lends him a shoulder to cry on, sympathising, counselling, offering succour and advice as to how to make it work. Even if it breaks her own heart completely to know that he belongs to someone else, she smiles through the evening, spreading sunshine and cheer. The tears of course would be for a private moment alone, far from the limelight of glitzy events and sparkling champagne moments.....









Song 8: 20 Mar 2013

The club crooner was a fun girl. She was the life of the party and knew how to raise a storm on the floor. She could double up as a stunning bar-tender without worrying about the Manu Sharmas of the world. She had two gorgeous hunks for company, chivalrous and chic. She cavorted and cajoled, oozing oomph and schmoozing big time. One of Asha Bhonsle's most memorable songs, her voice is almost lightening sharp in places and full of mirth and mischief. After all these were the siren songs, not the staid, sedate Pacific Ocean charm of a Lata, but a river in spate, a waterfall unbound and unleashed. Music by Ravi and lyrics by Sahir,  a luscious Mumtaz, in a timeless LBD(Little Black Dress) that one would love wearing even today and two of the most handsome hunks to ever grace Hindi film screen- the most suave and dashing Khan ever, Feroz and the devastatingly delicious Desi  Dharmendra. I am sure Mumu had a tough call there. Yet I would grant it to the Khan, for not only was he a stylish and naturally charming actor, but also the producer of some memorable movies and therefore a more complete entertainer and showman. The song I would say was pretty ahead of it's times. These avant garde touches by Yash and B R Chopra make this club crooner song a classic!

 

Song 7: 17 Mar 2013


At other times she could enthrall dancing gazelle like, mesmerising with that pixie like grin and crinkly eyes. She was exotica served in a sarong, a ditty from faraway places that had miraculously fallen in your kitty, a thrill to take the chill pill with, a steamy dream boat with delicious mysterious dimsums to discover. Geeta Dutt's rendition of this song triggered the imagination like never before, exposing Indian audiences to pleasures beyond the seven seas, of dangerous silk routes and the delectable treasures beyond. The name "Chin Chin Chu" is probably taken from Chu Chin Chow, a popular British musical comedy from 1916. This song by O P Nayyar and Qamar Jalalabadi became a raging hit, paving way for many songs with phoren flavours. Helen who was a such an incredible talent, one of Burma’s best imports into India took Indian movies by a veritable storm with her stunning dance performances. She morphed into many seductive avatars later, bringing costumes right from Lido to Moulin Rouge into Indian movies. Here though she is simply a boost of forbidden flavours, fresh, youthful and lively. The effect, to say the least was addictive!:-))

Song 6: 16 Mar 2013

So even if her own face could launch a thousand ships, it was a mere glance of his face that made the club crooner go into raptures. It was in his presence that her song developed a heart and mind and a character of its own. She danced the night away with an ensemble team but one look from him made her heart dance to his tunes. She had a captive audience but she was captivated by his silent charms. This lesser known song from Howrah Bridge by Asha is yet again composed by O P Nayyar- turns out this is becoming an O P Nayyar tribute more than anything else, but yes this was the man who gave us such lively tunes much before R D had even surfaced anywhere. And who else but Madhubala to perform, a heroine O P Nayyar confessed did the maximum justice to his songs!:-)

Song 5: 10 Mar 2013

They even gave sound business advice, these curvy crooners.They made the hero aware of his inner strengths and goaded him on to make the right moves. Their own life had made them street smart and they used that know-how to let the hero know when was the time to be a bull or a bear. They wished them luck with their ensuing deals and ventures. Too bad that many Indian men did not like being advised by their lady love, at least not on money or business matters. Or they did not like mixing business with pleasure. However that did not deter the club crooners. They belted out sound advice with solid guitar strumming and elegant eye rolling. The result, they were both an enviable team both on and off the smoky casinos. I simply adore Geeta Bali. Just see how she says 'daav lagale' everytime. A true natural talent, just like Geeta Dutt's singing was, and S D Burman's music and Sahir's lyrics. And Dev Anand, well he is simply being Dev Anand. There will be no other. No wonder this is one of my all time favourite club crooner songs!!

Song 4: 8 Mar 2013

Yet another O P Nayyar number to showcase the seductive charm of Asha's voice and who better to compliment it on screen but Mumu herself. Now Mumtaz was a cutie and hottie rolled into one and yet seemed totally unaware of her own charisma. I also admire the way Asha had perfected the art of those champagne laughs and giggles in between which I am sure are not that easy to record impromptu. The lyrics written by Majrooh went with the norm those days where even a night club dancer used very formal and refined expressions such as aaiye, dikhlaiye, farmaiye. Too bad these so called bad girls never got the guy in the end but usually would get eliminated half way through so that he could go back to his sati savitri heroine. Infact I marvel at these guys too who had perfected the art of looking totally detached, no-nonsense and sullen through all the heave- hoing the poor club dancer was upto with a lot of effort and sincerity!!!;-))










Song 3: 7 Mar 2013

It was the dancing girl/club crooner after all who loved the hero rather selflessly, could be a buddy and a tease at the same time. She could stop him when he was going wayward and really miss him when he was gone. She could shake a leg like noone's business and could even pull his leg and smirk and taunt. She could strut her stuff and flaunt. She could disappear at times and haunt. But she was his need and want. So sizzling were some of these dancing girls that they often had to be censored and thought not fit for public consumption. This song with Arabic inspired interludes, for example was picturised on Waheeda Rehman but the rushes were too hot to handle and consequently it was deleted from the original movie. A pity that video or even stills are not available anywhere. Can just imagine Waheeda doing full justice to it. So listen to this song and visualise this song for yourself. Out of sight is not always out of mind!:-))

Song 3: 7 Mar 2013

 

Song 2 : 6 Mar 2013


If Geeta Dutt had that delicious Bengali lilt, Asha Bhosle had an inborn sizzle. These were the voices of the quintessential club crooner. Between the two of them, they belted out quite a few kick-ass club crooner numbers. So how about an Asha-Geeta face-off, what say? I will give you one dazzling song after the other alternately and you decide who was the hotter voice. It is indeed difficult to decide. To start with Asha Bhonsle club crooner/dancing diva songs, what better song to kick start the process than this whopper of a number. I am sure there isn't any person who hasn't been stirred by this one ever. Madhubala at her vivacious, sultry best. And Asha Bhonsle was just the voice for those sirens, those with the satiny sensuality, come hither smiles and darting glances. The music is by O P Nayyar who was responsible for giving Asha that individuality in terms of singing style, and lyrics are by Qamar Jalalabadi. We see a lot of pretty young girls vie for the numero uno position but must say rare to see this grace and charm anywhere today....

"Dama Dam Mast Qalandar"- Runa Laila

Going ahead with the distinctly different and lesser known voices( I know it is relative, what I mean is other than Lata-Asha-Rafi-Kishore), I will trace some songs of Runa Laila. Born in Bangladesh, she sang very few songs for Hindi movies though she has been a star of the entire sub-continent. This is one of her non-film songs but more popular and timeless than any film song could ever become.

While the focus shifts to Modi and other issues, let’s not lose sight of our aim to get justice for the 23 year old physiotherapy student battling for life in Delhi. Our prayers are with her and therefore I pick this prayer which cuts across religious and cultural barriers. I am sure there is no Indian who fails to get moved by this gutsy, spunky prayer. People from all faiths and walks of life are behind this brave girl who comes from an ordinary, middle class family, who was realizing her parents’ hopes and wishes. Apparently her father sold off his land to be able to pay for her physiotherapy education so that she could make something of her life.

The women of this subcontinent share a common history of subjugation, atrocities and injustice. On one hand we are flanked by increasingly unbelievable and mythic symbols of Nari Shakti or woman power- Durga, Kali, Lakshmi, Saraswati in our heritage. On the other hand we have not left any stone unturned to make women feel powerless, voiceless and oppressed. But enough is enough. Let the din not die down this time. There are many more like her who have still not got justice. Women who are used, abused, harassed, tortured, killed, maimed and thrown away like yesterday’s news. Many names come to mind-Ruchika Girotra, Fiza Khan, Shehla Masood, Geetika Sharma and hundreds of other women and young girls we hear of every day, who deserve a totally safe India (and world)worth living in. Just for your knowledge, Jhulay Lal referred to in this song was a Sindhi Hindu saint and Shahbaz Qalandhar was a Sufi saint. Both are revered in the sub-continent across religious lines for their humanity and compassion. Ali the son-in-law of the prophet is widely revered. At the end of the day humanity is the greatest religion and if most of us could follow it on a daily basis, we would not need any other prayer....

Phir Dekhiye - Song from Rock On!!- Carolina Monteiro

We have come a long way. And yet in some ways, we’re where it all started. We want to fly, we want to climb mountains, we want to dance, we want to sing, we want to head corporations, we want to get Olympic medals, we want to be mothers, we want to cook, we want to report from troubled areas, we want to party at night, we want to live. Don’t clip our wings. We’re all setting out of our homes every day looking for our place under the sun(or moon!). We are not happy with free meal tickets. We want to earn our living and worth and standing, as much as you.

I remember when in 1990 I stepped into big bad Delhi from a very sheltered life in various idyllic army cantts, it was not easy. Our seniors gave sound advice such as –Don’t go to Budhha Jayanti Park, don’t go to ridge alone, don’t hitchhike to Chanakya! We all did the DTC, blueline, redline routine every day, reminded repulsively of our vulnerability. We gave it back, slapped, screamed, smashed our handbags on some people’s heads. Many of us were blessed with wonderful male classmates and colleagues, who cared enough to walk us through dark alleys home, who took the longer route to see us safe. Working in the hotel industry, doing night shifts, I cannot remember feeling unsafe working with the Taj group ever at any time of the day. Managing a restaurant, my conscience did not allow me to go home by the 12.40 am van every night when my male colleagues would take the 2.40 one. Many of my male colleagues-yeah, mostly North Indian males- climbed four floors at the end of a tiring day to my little barsati and made sure I had reached my doorstep safely. Great father, a brother who is more of a buddy, a totally non-possessive hubby who just lets me be(not easy as I set out to explore a new facet of my many ambitions every 2 years or so!), a very encouraging and inspiring father-in-law. It is time to thank each one of these North Indian men!

But times are more and more challenging today. I would urge all young women today stepping out to be safe, be cautious, be suspicious if need be. Keep a zero tolerance policy towards any form of sexual harassment. All it takes is conviction and confidence. Equip yourself with the wherewithal to defend yourself. Say what offends you, sensitise your male friends and colleagues to gender issues, speak out when faced with inappropriate behavior at the workplace or otherwise. You set the limits of permissible behavior around you. And most of all be proud of, and feel privileged to be a woman!

SEENE MEIN JALAN AANKHON MEIN TOOFAN SA KYUN HAI - SURESH WADKAR

It is a very sad day for Delhi, for India. How have we turned into such a scary place to live in? It is time for each one of us to reflect and find out how we have created this culture of violence and inhuman behavior? How have we created this urban jungle, lifeless and heartless. And we call our city 'Dilli dilwalon ka sheher’. Each one of us is guilty. Law and order that is meant to kowtow to the privileged only. Slow, crippled judicial system, apathetic political system that mainly focuses on showing the other party down somehow or the other; media, films, ads that promote the objectification of women, men who look at every woman as potential prey, women who accept or ignore the slightest form of sexual harassment in their day to day lives, be it an errant comment or an inappropriate gesture, who step out today without equipping themselves with self defence measures in this anarchic land. The usual debates ensue- the ‘superior’ South Indians blaming North Indian men, the state blaming police, the police blaming the society, the society blaming the media, films, foreign influences. The fact is each one of us needs to take a look at our own conduct/attitude/behaviour and find the answers....

SEENE MEIN JALAN

It is a very sad day for Delhi, for India. How have we turned into such a scary place to live in? It is time for each one of us to reflect and find out how we have created this culture of violence and inhuman behavior? How have we created this urban jungle, lifeless and heartless. And we call our city ’Dilli dilwalon ka sheher’. Each one of us is guilty. Law and order that is meant to kowtow to the privileged only. Slow, crippled judicial system, apathetic political system that mainly focuses on showing the other party down somehow or the other; media, films, ads that promote the objectification of women, men who look at every woman as potential prey, women who accept or ignore the slightest form of sexual harassment in their day to day lives, be it an errant comment or an inappropriate gesture, who step out today without equipping themselves with self defence measures in this anarchic land. The usual debates ensue- the ‘superior’ South Indians blaming North Indian men, the state blaming police, the police blaming the society, the society blaming the media, films, foreign influences. The fact is each one of us needs to take a look at our own conduct/attitude/behaviour and find the answers....