It had been almost a decade of India being independent of the British rule. Those who dreamt of creating the golden land and nurtured the dream of great country were witnessing the struggle of an infant trying to stand on its feet. The destination was still very far. While the socio-economic landscape of India was settling, there was a group of artists who were trying to invoke the movement against …
He was always a man of warmth. A prince in appearance and a king by heart. Dressed in shining Shark skin fabric trousers, crisp shirts and pointed shining leather shoes with his carefree strands of hair running around the forehead, whenever he entered the studio or a party, all the eyes always used to be on him. Jaikishan was really a charmer. His music has always reflected his persona. Music …
Hindi Film Music is one of the greatest amalgamation of multiple genre of music across world. Since it draws so many flavors of music, it has also merged sounds of many instruments from various corners of continents. Accordion from Austria, Violin from Italy, Guitar and Castanets from Spain and likewise. Among these multi cultural melodic sounds, there is one sound that has enchanted music lovers for decades and that is …
What could possibly be interesting in a 2:45 minutes title music ? Given that it has no lyrics , no singing and not much of an instrumental interplay , it is not surprising that it has not been much discussed and yet, it’s much loved, obsessed and cherished piece of music by all music lovers. Title track of Sholay is nothing less a milestone than the film itself. Pancham‘s music …
It was May 1869. Cyrill Demian, an organ and Piano maker in Austria was about to file a patent for his newly developed box type instrument. It could be carried anywhere and played. That was the need of time. Little did Cyrill and his two sons Karl and Guido realized that their newly patented instrument would bring a freshness to music of Hindi Cinema after 121 years. Cut to the …
What are songs without words? What are words without HASRAT ? It was a fanboy moment for me when I got opportunity to write for Hasrat Jaipuri. I was extremely elated and grabbed it with both hands. Afterall, we are celebrating a legend’s life and work. Hasrat sahab is often tagged as “King of Romance” and undoubtedly there is no one who has portrayed love so beautifully as him. He …
Na Kahu Sang Dosti, Na Kahu Sang Bair…. as Kabir said was the motto she followed all her life. Otherwise how could it happen that a singer who worked with the top composers of 30’s and 40’s like Pt. Amarnath, Ghulam Haidar, Husnalal Bhagatram, Naushad, S.D.Burman etc and who was a top playback singer of her time, stayed almost out of limelight in her career. Had Shamshad Begum followed the …
Sur, Taal aur Talaffuz as it is said in music training, are the three foundation pillars of good singing. When Latabai as she was fondly known in her initial days, joined the film industry from her humble maharashtrian background, composer Naushad had asked her to take Urdu lessons to improve her Tallafuz. Now what is this thing and why is it so important that even the singer like Lata Mangeshkar …
It’s been always a point of debate among informed music lovers that what precedes in making a song memorable – melody or arrangement ? Well, the answer is always a chicken and egg story. Yet, everyone would agree that a strong melody is a back bone of any composition. Appropriate arrangement works as an ornament to it. This song ‘Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Aankhen….’ is a perfect example of it. …
“Holi Kab Hai… Kab Hai Holi?” When Gabbar Singh said this on screen, the writers would not have thought that it would become a psalm for the festival of colours in decades to come. Thinking of Holi, a few staple things instantly come to mind like holika-dahan, bhaang, gujia, gulal and of course Rang barse Bheege Chunar Wali… We get references of Holi in Puranas where Asura king Hiranyakashyapu tried …
