Category: Music

Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani

Have I told you all that I’m a Ranbir fan – He is a fabulous actor and a great dancer. The latter bit quite under-rated in my opinion. Watch Badtameez Dil and you will know what I’m talking about. When I first caught the song on TV I was not surprised that Ranbir had rendered a fabulous performance – and done great justice to Benny Dayal’s singing (who by the way I completely mistook for Mohit Chauhan when I first heard the first few lines of the song) and Pritam’s foot tapping music. My dance classes begin in 2 weeks time and I can’t wait to dance to this song!

 

It was Badtameez Dil and not Balam Pichkari that caught my attention and I went hunting to check out how the rest of the album was. Needless to say I was not disappointed. Never been a Pritam fan – knowing how well he lifts his numbers but he has managed to deliver three hit albums in a row now.

Shalmali Kolge of the Pareshaan fame is fantastic in Balam Pichkari – it’s a nice foot tapping number and will get its place in all time hit Holi songs. Be assured we are going to bombarded with it once Holi arrives next year. Vishal Dadlani rarely fails to deliver in foot-tapping numbers and this must count among his best ones.

Ranbir movie and no Mohit Chauhan? How is that even possible? Mukesh was Raj Kapoor’s voice and since Rockstar I have felt that Mohit Chauhan’s voice suits Ranbir the best! Amitabh Bhattacharya is fast climbing the charts as the number one lyricist – the lyrics of Illahi portray Ranbir’s character (from what I’ve read in the previews of the story) to perfection.

Khaanaabadoshiyon pe hi jaane kyoon
Ilahi meraa jee aaye aaye

I don’t know why in nomadic ways only I find my heart interested, O Lord.

Sreeram’s voice is quite soulful in SubhanAllah – but the song isn’t one that will leave a lasting impact. Nice to listen to but not the one that will keep playing a loop on your ipod a million times. That will go to only one song from the album – will come to it at the end of this post.

Dilliwali Girlfriend will probably play at most marriage sangeet parties this year and will be forgotten the moment a new chart-topping number hits the scene. Sounds like every other punjabi song that hits the pop scene. Not impressive at all.

You get Madhuri to do an item number and Rekha Bhardwaj to render it – the perfect ingredients to deliver a hit that could go and stake a claim with Kajre Re or Beedi on popularity charts and all that we get is a dampener in Ghagra. Did not click at all. I also thought that the whole Via-Agra bit was completely intentional in the song – fool to think otherwise right?

Rekha Bhardwaj is definitely one of my favourite singers – Namak, Ab Mujhe Koi and the very recent- the phenomenal “Phir Le Aaya Dil” – it would have been quite a disappointment if she had not got a better number than Ghagra in the album – and here is where you thank god for the endearing sufi number “Kabira” by her and Tochi Raina. This is the kind of song that will play a million times in a loop on your iPod. There is another version by Harshdeep and Arijit but that sounds very run-of-the-mill wedding song unlike this one which is meant to be played when you are out at night on a long drive!

Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani overall does not disappoint – I’m pretty confident it will earn nominations next year at all the award ceremonies. Off to see the movie tomorrow – not too high expectations just hoping Ranbir does not disappoint.

P.s: Listen to the first 14 seconds of Kabira and then to the first 15 seconds of the Title Track of Kuch Toh Log Kahenge (never watched the serial – love this number though) and tell me if you notice any similarities 🙂

 

Update:
I have edited out the sentence where I mentioned that Pritam was running into good form of his Jab We Met & Metro days – I was genuinely unaware that Pritam had lifted most songs in these two albums – until a friend @adityeah pointed out on twitter. I really liked those two albums – and my apologies for my ignorance about this bit. Have corrected the sentence as it seemed contradictory.

That one defining song…

Yesterday at the Mirchi Rocks Live concert of Sunidhi Chauhan and Shankar Ehsan Loy,  I heard Raman Mahadevan sing Tanhayee. Raman is a very good singer and this song from Taare Zameen Par is proof enough but  he was not able to capture the brilliance that Sonu Nigam had depicted in his rendition of Tanhayee.   I have also heard many singers attempt this song in  reality shows and I’m absolutely convinced that this song was made only for Sonu. He must have been in a god-level zone when he recorded it for Dil Chahta Hain. The pain in his voice cuts right through your heart – listen to it and you will know what I’m talking about.

 

 

I tried to think which is that one defining song for other favourite singers of mine from the current lot – that one song which no other singer can attempt or sing the way the original singer did.

Here are my picks – what would be yours?

Shaan

What a soothing voice and so many of his numbers tread on the light-hearted , romantic genre. And this one although still romantic has a lovely classical bent to it. To me it is by far his best song (Forgive the choreographer for the picturization – he/she has ruined what could have been a splendid song visually to go with the brilliant composition)

 

KK: 

Many will disagree with me on this one I guess. Tadap Tadap was KK’s big breakthrough, and Pal his identity but to me this lovely underrated number from Om Shanti Om really stands out as his number – his voice captures the awe, the hesitation and the love that Om feels for Shanti. Hitting the right low notes, the perfect high pitch, the smooth transitions – it is one of the most beautiful romantic numbers I’ve heard.

 

Shankar Mahadevan 

Breathless gave him his identity and every time I listen to his rendition of Maa I have a tear in my eye but for me the song that defines Shankar is Yenna Solla Pogirai – because if you listen to him and watch Ajith perform – I can guarantee you will fall in love with both the men!

 

 

Maybe in the next post I’ll attempt my picks from my favourite female singers –and I can already sense that it will be a tough one!

Melody Overflow

I was wondering if 2012 has been one of the better years for Bollywood music in recent times. The 21st century has been witness to some excellent numbers – new voices, new music directors, experiments with fusion music, mixing genres, all sorts of stuff. As I was going through my playlist since 2000 – I felt this year indeed had some classic melodious numbers of different genres and albums with good variety.

In the last 12 years, every year had its stand out one or two movie albums. I thought 2009 was a fantastic year in terms of the albums released – Delhi 6, Dev D, Wake Up Sid, 3 Idiots, Kaminey, Love Aaj Kal, and the odd song or two from Rocket Singh (Pankho Ko),  Kurbaan(Shukran Allah) , Raaz 2 (Soniyo),and New York ( Tune Jo na Kaha)

As 2012 comes to an end I can’t help but think that this year probably matched  2009 in terms of the variety on offer and the new voices as well as music directors that trumped the charts. This despite the fact that the most awaited album that had the winning A R Rahman-Gulzar partnership was one of the worst to come out this year.

The entire albums of Ek Main aur Ek Tu, Ishaqzaade, Barfi, Cocktail (crap movie but good songs), Kahaani, English Vinglish and Talaash. I never got hooked onto the Gangs of Wasseypur phenomenon but guess it would be injustice to not mention the album and the only female music director Sneha Khanvilkar who created her own cult of followers.

The odd song or two from Ferrari Ki Sawari ( Maara Rebecause every time this song plays only Sachin’s image comes to mind), Agent Vinod ( Raabta – 4 versions of it and all equally delightful), the underrated song from London, Paris, New York (Voh Dekhne Main ) ,  the sensitive song Paani Da from Vicky Donor which took Ayushman to top of the popularity charts and the two lovely numbers to come out of Aamir Khan’s show Satyameva Jayete ( O Ri Chiraiya and Ghar Yaad Ata Hain Mujhe)

Amit Trivedi definitely stood out among all music directors without a doubt! 5 albums this year and 3 hits!

Among the male singers I’d pick Arijit Singh as my absolute favourite singer this year! 4 soothing, romantic, tender, passionate numbers – Raabta from Agent Vinod, Yaariyan from Cocktail, Saawli Si Raat Ho and my favourite of the lot – Phir Le Aaya Dil. He made the song his own – as painful, as stirring as Rekha’s rendition but yet having a different identity. In a year where he had his biggest hits – he seemed to have matured into a fantastic singer with this number.

Not able to pick my favourite female singer at all this year – not even venturing there. Who would you pick?

Shreya dazzled in Jhallah Wallah – she stepped out of her comfort zone so beautifully singing this rustic, sensuous , mujrah number that I’ve listened to it a million times and am still not able to get over her voice. And those 4 lines at the end of the Ishaqzaade title track – that bit where you realise how gifted she is and makes you want to take a bow.

Shalmali for that recklessly fallen-in-love rendition of Pareshaan in Ishaqzaade – don’t lie to me – all that you wanted to do when you first heard the song was to run to the rooftops and sing your heart out! Not to forget her other hit – the delightful Daaru Desi from Cocktail.

Rekha Bhardwaj for that soulful , heart wrenching Phir Le Aaya Dil – a song about love lost, a song about wanting that love back.

Shilpa Rao – For Aahatein cause it got me all teary-eyed every time I listened to it and Gustakh Dil –  because her voice haunts you – the agony of love, the dilemma that comes along with it and her calm, deep, unconventional voice that echoes in your head long after the song is over.

Sona Mohaptra – For that touching rendition of Ghar Yaad Ata Hain Mujhe and showing further sparks of brilliance in that classical-modern fusion song Jiya Lage Na from Talaash.

Sunidhi Chauhan – How can she miss out ? Yaariyan from Cocktail and then the endearing Navrai Majhi from English Vinglish which had a fine mix of voices – of the old granny, of the American accented Hindi gal, of Swananand Kirkire  and yet Sunidhi shone. Her diction of the Marathi words in the song was flawless and she made that song her own!

My pick of the year – actually all the albums and songs mentioned because they played endlessly in a loop on my iPod this year. Anyways I’m now going to be a bit biased and pick one – it was heartening to see Amit Trivedi and Swananda Kirkire produce a classic Marathi number in Hindi. The beats, the tune, the sounds, the dholkis, the words, the classic rhythm of most Marathi folk songs – perfect picture perfect! It is going to be the most loved wedding song for years to come. It was the one that I danced to the most while listening to it. I simply can’t wait for my cousins to get married soon; so that I can deck up and dance my heart out even more, just like Sridevi and the Deshpandes and their multi-cultural gang did! Bring on all the dhol-tasha, sanai !

Ishaqzaade

Has taken over my iPod since the last 2 days! Amit Trivedi as I have said time and again on this blog, is a freaking genius. I did not find a single song in the entire album to find fault with.

Aafaton Ke Parindey  is in sync with Trivedi’s earlier compositions Dilli & Aali Re genre from No One Killed Jessica – fast paced and some hard hitting rock.

Pareshaan by Shalmali will soon be topping the music charts – it is soulful and exhilarating. The chorus after a soft pause and Shalmali’s voice variations during the chorus leave you completely mesmerised

Chokra Jawaan should be a hit among the masses – Sunidhi totally owns the song. Ofcourse the chemistry with Vishal Dadlani is obvious – they seem to have had a ball singing this song.

I always thought Shreya Ghosal did an average job with her Chikni Chameli song and was probably not comfortable doing rustic numbers. She wipes off that performance with a stunner in Jhalla Wallah. The diction, the accent and the sensuous touch – I can’t wait to see the video. A song that fits in with the cult “Kajre Re” number. Listen to the song – the lyrics are hilarious – kudos to Kausar Munir

Amit Trivedi makes excellent use of the harmonium, tabla, dholki, dafli – the simplest musical instruments to keep the rustic tone in most songs – the brilliant use of chorus especially in Pareshaan and  Jhalla Wallah takes the songs to a different level.

But my favourite song of the album, and in my opinion will probably go on to become one of the cult songs of our generation is the enchanting title track. It starts off with a trumpet, then Javed Ali starts off softly , the tempo rises and comes down again and rises again and this goes on for 3.5 minutes and just when you are getting out of the trance, in comes Shreya for the last minute – striking a low pitch so melodious like only she could and in that one minute transcends all levels of the brilliance we know she is capable of. She with her low pitch and Javed Ali in his high pitch singing Ishaqzaade; I could just replay that last minute in an endless loop for the next few days and never get out of that magical trance.

If you haven’t already tuned into Ishaqzaade and the magic that Amit Trivedi has spun – I suggest you waste no more time and get listening to it right away.

Stamping His Presence in the Music World: Shikka – Jaydeepcha

MDH and I got to know Jaydeep in 2007 at a get-together held at at a common acquaintence’s place. Jaydeep mesmerized everyone with his singing and hit it off with MDH who got involved with his impromptu compering . Over the next few months we lost touch but reconnected again at a classical event. We kept in touch and Jaydeep & MDH got-together to stage a few musical shows in Dubai.

Listening to Jaydeep sing so often got MDH and me wondering,  why was the guy not trying his luck in Mumbai in the Marathi/Hindi music industry. He had been a winner at different contest such as Middle East Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Zee TV Antakshari and Radio Star for 89.1FM. Finally in April 2009, he got a chance to sing along with Vaishali Samant in her Dubai show. She invited him to join her at her show in Kolhapur in Jun2009.

There was no looking back for him and after much persuasion from our friend circle here in Dubai and Vaishali’s guidance; Jaydeep left Dubai in Sep2009 to commence his musical journey. In the last one year he has performed in 35 shows with Vaishali Samant. The shows included – an IPL show in Nagpur, Star Majha Awards and shows with Marathi industry’s leading singers Avdhoot Gupte and Swapnil Bandodkar. Jaydeep has gone on to sing title tracks for Marathi serials and even for Marathi films.

However he continued to work on his dream, that of getting his own music album which would be the stepping stone for him to make his mark in the Marathi and Hindi music industry. MDH and I witnessed his first baby steps towards his dream here in Dubai. His first music album “Shikka” was launched in Dubai on 15Oct,2010. Jaydeep performed on all the songs from his album in front of his favourite Dubai audience.

The album has 8 songs all of different genres, this is a rarity in a debut album. The music director is Nilesh Moharir – one of the upcoming talented music directors in the Marathi Industry. As I review each song, I’ve also added a small 45Sec clipping of each song for you folks to listen to. I do believe that after listening to these short clippings you will go ahead and buy this album.

1. Manatlya Manatale  (Audio Clip: 01 Manatalya manatle 2)

A romantic song is the probably the safest bet for a debutant and Jaydeep sails through in this number. The lyrics are by Mandar Cholkar and the song describes the anxiety of a young man in love and his eagerness to confess his love to his beloved, in the hope that she already knows what is going on in his mind. Mandar weaves a nice mix of Hindi and Marathi words , Nilesh gives a very youthful feel to the song and Jaydeep translates the efforts of these two in ways he know best – maintaining the exuberant mood throughout the entire song.

2. Ganapati Gunapati (Audio Clipping:02 Ganapati Gunapati 2)

If I don’t hear this song playing at every Ganeshotsav Mandal in Mumbai next year, I’ll be damned. Ashwini Shende (3 time award winner in the best lyricist category at Zee Marathi Awards) has penned down a number that voices the feeling of every youth towards their favourite God “Lord Ganesha”. For most of us Lord Ganesh has been our friend and confidant – we tell him our deepest fears, seek his blessing when we begin anything new, he adorns our home, car, office desk and books, and he is the one who forgives all our mistakes.

The first two lines say it all:

“Manatale majhya sare tula sangto, (I tell you everything that is on my mind)

Charachara madhye deva tula pahto, (I see you Lord in every nook and corner)

Gaurichya nandana an Shankarachya bala, (The little child of Gauri and Shankar)

Bappa mala lagla re tujha ha lala” (Lord Ganapati  I’ve grown so fond of you)

He is our favourite among all Gods and Jaydeep potrays these feelings to perfection in this loving rendition of worship to Lord Ganapati.

3. Chal Go Paru (Audio Clipping:03 Chal go paru 1)

The person who recognized Jaydeep’s talent and the one we all are most thankful to for helping him believe in his dream – Vaishal Samant; renders her voice to this slow Marathi folk song we all know as “Koli Geet”. A soft romantic teasing number, that I’m sure you all would love to listen to when you take off on your long drives.

4. Kanha Lai Shaana – Gavlan (Audio Clipping:04 Kanha lai shana 2)

I’m an absolute sucker for traditional folk songs – the ones that hail from the villages in India. The ones that are most famous are Lavani and Koli Geet, but we must thank the Shikka Team for introducing us to another type which is known as “Gavlan”. Gavlan narrates tales of Krishna and his Gopis, his pranks and his love tales. “Kanhaa Lai Shaana” is the surprise packet of this album; you don’t expect a traditional folklore after having listened to a romantic number, a Ganesha number and a Koli geet.

The song has been blessed with some of the Marathi industry’s famous artists playing the Dholki(Krishna Musale), the Flute(Sudhir Khandekar), the Harmonium(Satyajit Prabhu) and Shashank Joshi providing a fine example of percussion with a multitude of instruments. Nilesh Moharir gives a glimpse of the talent he possess, composing a tough tune and yet remaining faithful to tradition. Renowned poet Vaibhav Joshi creates an engaging Kanha’s tale and Jaydeep shows his versatility in singing what is probably the toughest bit in the album. No guesses for which is my favourite song of the album.

5. Ek Saanj Dokavte (Audio Clipping: 05 Ek Sanj 1)

Life is a struggle for most of us, very very few have it easy. I’ve always felt that we must not have it easy for then we will forget to appreciate those small but important moments that make our life worthwhile, give a meaning to our struggle, and form our rays of hope. Jaydeep sings the tale of his struggle and hope to achieve his dreams – a tale coined wonderfully by Vaibhav Joshi.

6. Ye Paas Ye (Audio Clipping: 06 Ye na jara 2)

Yearning to dance, tune in to this Saalsa number “Ye Paas Ye”; I can’t recollect any Marathi music director mixing the western beats to Marathi lyrics to deliver a melodious, hummable number! This for me is the underdog in the album. This is just a sample of what Nilesh has hidden in his vast repertoire of tunes. It’s fresh, it’s simple and it is absolutely delightful to your ears. If this number won’t bring that mischievous smile to your face tell me what will?

7. Shikka (Audio Clipping: 07 Shikka 1)

The title track of the album – when most debutants will play it safe by choosing romantic themes for their album, Jaydeep has chosen to not only to experiment in different genres but also taken the biggest risk by voicing a message to the youth of today in his title track. The song begins with a rap saying “Free your mind” and stresses on the importance of voting by youth. We refrain from voting, we have resigned to the fact that this country will not change, and continue to underestimate the power that rests in our index finger.

The lyricist Mandar Cholkar has done a good job in getting the message across and Jaydeep’s voice ought to be heard at all political rallies to drive the youth to come out and vote. We need to stamp our presence – we need to put our “Shikka” – Shikka Abhimanacha (Stamp our pride) ,Shikka Sanmanacha ( Stamp our self-respect), Shikka Vishvacha ( Stamp our faith), Shikka Nishwasacha ( Stamp our relief)

8. Tadipaar (Audio Clipping:08 Tadipaar 2)

The song depicts Jaydeep’s determination to pursue his dreams despite all the hurdles. The Hindi track in the Marathi album. Probably not in the same league as most tracks in the album, but still a good first time effort from all – Ashwini, Nilesh and Jaydeep in their attempt at a Hindi song.

I’m not raving about the album cause Jaydeep is a very dear friend to MDH and me, but cause he is a talented singer and deserves every bit of praise for his effort and the hard work that he has put in. It is indeed difficult to make out that this is a debut album and that he is a newbie in this industry. The team effort has resulted in a fine end product and I ask all of you to not only spread the word but go ahead and buy his album, and encourage upcoming talented singers like him. The industry needs it – we the audience needs it! So go be selfish, want good music like the one in this album, encourage the team – Jaydeep, Nilesh, Ashwini, Mandar and Vaibhav. Go rush and buy his CD – Shikka.

If you enjoyed reading my post and want to track Jaydeep’s progress – join his facebook page “Shikka”.

Yenna Solla Pogirai

No, I do not know Tamil, I can’t even speak it, but I can identify with a few songs. Most of them happen to be from IllaiyarajaA R Rahman. The ones that were converted to Hindi; where the lyrics went for a toss but the tunes, the melody lingered on for long. When I saw Roja and got hooked onto the album, I was hell bent on getting the original Tamil version. Those days Tamil cassettes were not easily available in Mumbai, or rather, the places I bought the cassettes from, did not own it. There was no planet M or Rhythm house! Luckily my family took a long trip down south, and when we landed in Chennai( then Madras) I was lucky to get the Audio cassette of Roja in Tamil. It is still treasured and I prefer listening to the Tamil version than the Hindi. Roja’s lyrics in Hindi were much better compared to what got churned out later! God forgive them!

As I was rearranging my CD collection yesterday, I came across one of my favourite albums ‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’ after Roja. (Alaiypayuthe is also close, but these two will always be on the top of my list) And I remembered being asked, ‘Yenna Solla Pogirai? Yes, what will your answer be?’, by my friends (couple of them South Indians) after we had seen Kandukondain Kandukondain in the theatre.

The original Tamil version, with English sub-titles. The movie was aesthetic and simplicity personified. Tabu and Aishwarya looked ravishing (The only time Ash was not cold!!!). Though I did not follow the southern film industry; I was well aware of Mamooty’s acting skills and loved the way Ajith portrayed his character. I’m not going to delve into the movie but speak about the songs. Yes, they were the reason that I was so eager to see the movie.

As I did not understand the lyrics, I was first hooked onto the songs by two aspects:
1. The melody, the classical base. Most of them were based on Carnatic music.
2. The picturisation.

I had caught Smayaii and Konjum Minnakale on MTV. Beautiful and heavenly, the latter one. I absolutely fell in love with Kanamoochi, I knew it was a repartee about Lord Krishna. The Carnatic base to it was fantastic. I hoped for two things desperately when I saw those songs:
1. The songs are not dubbed, thereby they are not deprived of their beauty.
2. The movie hits the Mumbai theatres, in the original version, not dubbed.

Both my wishes were granted and our group hit the theatre. My south Indian friends explained to me the meaning of the songs and one of them even searched the net and sent me the English translation. You will love them trust me. Hear them and relate it; you will fall in love with them over and over again.

No girl can say no if the guy sings ‘Yenna Solla Pogirai’
Here are few lines:
Illai illai solla oru ganam pothum
Illai yendra sollai thanguvathendral
Innum innum yennukor janamam vendum
Yenna solla pogirai…?

It only takes you a moment to say No.
To bear the hurt
I will have to be born again and again
Oh! What will your answer be…?

Ondru solladi penne – illai
Nindru kolladi kanne

Do say something, my love –
Or, perhaps, it is best you stay quiet.

The whole song is love personified.

One can dream through Konjum Mynakkaley
Kunjom assai
Kunjom kanavu
Ivai ilamal vazhakaya?

Nooru kanvughal kandale
Aru kanvugal palikkatha?
Kanave kayi serra va!

What is there to life
Without a little desire
Without some dreams?

We may dream a hundred dreams
And perhaps six at least will come true?
Dreams! Join hands with me!

The ultimate favourite and the highlight of this album is Kannamuchhi Yennada.Chitra is mind-blowing in that song, and Aishwarya looks divine.

Kannamuchi yennada yen kanna – nan
Kannadi porul poleda

Why this hide and seek, Krishna?
I am as fragile as glass.

Oh, go hear the song and get the lyrics:-)

Smy Ai Ai Ai: The lyrics are not as superior as the rest but the tune is so upbeat and catchy, you just can’t stop swinging to it, Yenge Entathu Kavithai, though sad, has amazing depth in its meaning, Suttum Vizhi is a soft number and Kandukondain Kandukondain is another light-hearted song.

The melody is the USP of this album, and I assure you that you will never tire of listening to it.And when you hear songs like these, you just wish and are pretty glad that they haven’t been tampered with, by senseless dubbing. The original, well, will be original no matter how many versions you bring out. The uniqueness and beauty will always be retained in the original version. Thank god that sense prevailed on the Producers & Director of Kandukondain Kandukondain!

The songs are one heavenly experience. Go drown in it 🙂 And after you are through, do let me know, Yenna Solla Pogirai ?🙂

Situational Song???

I switched on my radio for traffic updates, almost all channels provide that and it’s good info in these times!

Guess which song is playing…“Barasja-E-Badal” from Fareb. Couldn’t be more apt!

How well the Rain God is obliging to the request!!!

Current Favourites…

Warning: I’m putting up a ‘Current List’, so this is not to be mistaken for my ‘All-Time Favourite List’.
That list will come a little later. I shall need a lot of thinking and choosing to do, and it will be an arduous task for me! It’s never easy to pick up favourites if you’ve tuned into songs from the 50s decade onwards!!

Anywhere for the time being, the current ones:

Album: ‘Parineeta’. The melody is back, more on it read here.

Hindi Song: ‘Naam Ada Likhna’ from ‘Yahan’. I listen to it atleast twice on the radio daily. The lyrics touch your heart and the music; well it reminds you of Parineeta! Shantanu Moitra’s new composition, Parineeta’s shadow falls on this song, but that only makes it more soothing to listen to. Shreya Ghosal and Shaan are once again at their best.

English Song: ‘Don’t Phunk with my Heart’ by Black Eyed Peas. It grew on me since I kept hearing it daily on the radio. It’s cool and it’s funny. It’s not your regular rock, pop, whatever. It’s plain fun to listen to. I like the way the lady swoons ‘No No No”. Just listen to it;-)

Once More Please: ‘Mangal, Mangal’ from ‘The Rising’. Wonderful rural feel to the song, and Kailash Kher is awesome. After “Allah ke Bande”, this should be one landmark song in his career. What a voice!

Rap Song: Bunty ‘n Babli –Title Rap by Blaze. Sorry folks haven’t listened to English music much, but clearly my favourite for its video. The Big B has “STYLE”…note the CAPS LOCK!

POP Number: ‘Nadiyon Paar Sajan’, again cool song. Neat beats! Don’t ask me why, I sometimes like the odd one 😉

Soothing Number: ‘Yeh Lamhe’ by Jaal, not the remix. The slow, original version is lovely to listen too. The kind you should listen to, more often on way home after a tedious day at work!

Most Irritating Song: I feel like pulling out my hair on listening to this song! They still make these kinds and they go down with the audience! God give me a break. I could handle “Garam Chai Ki Pyali ho” any day over this one! I’m talking about ‘Aarah He Arrah Ha, Just Love Me’ from No Entry!!!
Everytime I here it I find myself saying “Just Spare Me”!!!

So there it is, my Current List, an All-Time List sometime this week:-)

By the way what about yours? Go ahead list one!

My Music Mania

Music is a must for me. I’ve had my own walkman since I was in 3rd Standard, a precious little gift from papa. Perfect discretion was exercised when I needed to use it then. Parents felt constant hearing first would damage my ear-drums (A reason vociferously told by my mumma, and she tells that to me till date!) and second that it would affect my studies! None happened.
I obeyed their orders to the tee like a good girl! And as I grew up, and my father believed I had understood what is important and not, what are my responsibilities and not, I was allowed the freedom to full rights to my walkie!
It was my constant companion especially when I did my Maths and problems in Science, the fact that I topped left little excuse for my mom to shout at me for listening to music while studying. A habit that stuck till I gave my final paper of MBA!
Papa somewhere understood my love for dance and music, mumma could not fathom why I needed to carry that walkman everywhere I went. My elder cousin sis ( More like a real one, we lived in the same building, both only children and that did not give us much of a choice but to stick around with each other despite the age difference of 8 years!! Over the years I think we have grown close, but we still love to fight! It’s still fun!!) added to my woes by saying that she just wants to show off! Well I did think it was cool because then not many carried it around like a glue 24 hrs and that made me different;-) That sis of mine is one hell of a mind-reader and it was often irritating when she would be vocal about it to my parents! It did not make things easy for me!
Papa’s nicest gift was a small deck and speakers in my room. It was my little dream to own one and he had it placed the day my SSC exams ended, just as he had promised! It is 10 years old now and still occupies its place in my room and still is in excellent shape. I’ve given my building neighbours a harrowing time when I would play it at full volume. It was never intentional just that I enjoyed it and often mum would be banging on my closed door asking me to lower the volume. I simply enjoyed the drama!
Another precious gift came from my jijajee( yup same didi’s hubby), a disc-man, another of my prized possessions. As for the inputs into the players, a collection of audio cassettes was built that only expanded as I grew up and now they are slowly getting replaced by mp3s and audio CDs. I also thanked the mobile phone companies and the inventor who thought of including the radio facility in the phone, today I cannot do without it, the radio I mean! The phone I could do without easily! I wish a hundred times in day it would just stop ringing!!!
Music never restricted me to a particular era, I love the 60s music, the romance was so clean and the songs so melodious. I love RD Burman who brought hip-hop into Hindi film music. AR Rehman an all time favourite that got me hooked to Tamil music. Kandukondain Kandukondain and Alaipayuthe are absolute must haves in your collection if you are a Rehman fan. Having South Indian friends helped understand that genre of music better. The 80s were a slack period but music picked up from 90s, with pop songs becoming a rage, things were finally looking up. Shankar , Ehsaan Loy and Shantanu Moitra are my current favourites.
Bryan Adams rocked, ABBA and Beatle’s collections began to grow, The Corrs were a must have and a must listen to. John Denver & Eagles soothed your mind. You swooned to songs of Eric Clapton and tapped your feet to Elvis. Generations passed their songs onto the new ones such that oldies remained immortal and never faded away. Over time songs kept on adding to your collection which were exceptional, just got to listen to, cult songs, nothing like this one…the list was endless.
I’m not an expert on music but the next blog chapter will carry my favourite songs, a few years down the line when I return to that post I want to see how much of that list would’ve changed:-)
That’s the beauty of blogging, it takes you into a nice trip down the memory lane; and with that blog on songs, there will be fine music running along with it in my mind!

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