What I've been doing

...looks like I will be staying here.


Hi everyone,

I haven't had the time to write posts because I have been searching for a summer job. Anyway, I would like to thank everyone who left me comments and tips about my summer job in London. But I really need money for university so I decided to save up and stay in Montreal. Maybe next summer I will be able to go.

Before summer actually starts, for school, I had to write a term paper on one of my favorite directors. I chose a director I liked, Raj Kapoor, but I really wanted to choose an indian director I didn't know much about (You know like more underground). But after doing some research I found out that there is not much decent info, in english or french, on indian directors. The only south asian director that has lots of books written on him and his work is the bengali director, Satyajit Ray. I don't know if it's the lack of translation by indian film scholars or just the lack of people seriously studying and analysing indian cinema? Don't get me wrong, good books exist but they are rare. I have a small collection of books, but with what I have read I feel that it's not enough. The books don't go deep enough, there is no analysis of a directors work. However I did discover a book on Raj Kapoor called Harmony of Discourse but it's rare and I could not find it to buy anywhere. If anyone knows how to get that book and other more serious works on indian cinema please feel free to give any suggestions.

On May 24th my dance teacher Sudeshna Maulik had a kathak performance. It was the closing show for an asian heritage festival in Montreal called Acces Asie. There where many south asian performers, I especially liked the Dhol and the Bhangra. Anyway, I have only been learning Kathak for 6 months but me and two other students performed as well. That's me in the back, to see more pictures just click here.

On June 2nd I was invited on CJLO a Concordia university radio talk show called There you have it folks! hosted by Nicole and Sinbad Richardson. It was really fun, I might do it again or this fall I will start my own Bollywood radio show. Whichever I will keep you all posted because CJLO is broadcasted on the Internet as well.

Anyway, now back to posting albums ...

Have a great summer!

Stella in London ?!

Hi everyone, I have decided that I am going to be finding a summer job in London. I cant' wait. I was wondering if any of you ''Londoners'' could help me out with a few of my questions.

1. Well I don't have anywhere to stay, so where is the cheapest (not like dangerous cheap, where only people out of jail or a mental institutions live) place I could stay?

2. Where can I get Indian records?

3. And Indian Movies (DVD's)? Also, are there any cinema's that show Indian films?

4. Where are the best places to go out?

And 5. What are your favorite things to do in London?


*If any of you would like to meet and talk, we could set up a little supper or meeting for Indian record collectors. That would be great. Thanks

Roshan: Bawre Nain (1950/1980)

Roshan, who was a musician trough out the 40's, got his first break as a music director with Bawre Nain. Heavily inspired by the 40's sound, this record represents the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. But the overall sound of this album is melancholic and slightly romantic (as in the artistic current).  

The most popular song on the record is ''Khyalon Men Kisi Ke'', it's sneaky and seductive.

You can find some joyful songs on the album, but you still feel some pain in the music. Like the playful ''Mujhe Sach Sach Batado'' and ''Roothe Hue Chanda''. They still feel a little bit like when someone sad tries to be happy.

My favorite songs on the album are the lonely ''Teri Duniya Men Dil Lagta Nahin'', the lovely duet ''Mohabbat Ke Maron Ka'' and ''Sun Bairi Balam''

It's not the greatest album, but still it is special. It has it's own original charm that makes it stand out. I enjoy it, what do you think? 

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Geeta Dutt & Mukesh: Khyalon Men Kisi Ke

2. Rajkumari & Mukesh: Mujhe Sach Sach Batado

3. Rajkumari: Roothe Hue Chanda

Side 2

4. Mukesh: Teri Duniya Men Dil Lagta Nahin

5. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Mohabbat Ke Maron Ka

6. Rajkumari: Kyon Mere Dil Men

7. Rajkumari: Sun Bairi Balam

Lyrics: Kidar Sharma

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Roshan | Bawre Nain

Shankar Jaikishan: Ujala (1959/1990)

Even if Shankar Jaikishan knew Shammi Kapoor because of there association with his brother, Raj Kapoor, it wasn't until Shammi did Ujala that they first collaborated together. Ujala has some gret tunes.

I first heard a glips of Ujala with the song "Jhoomta Mausam Mast Mahina" (my favorite) that was on a compilation Lp called Best of the 50's that came out in the 60's. This record came out in 1990, so does that mean that you couldn't listen to the rest of the songs until then.Well, I guess if you wanted the soundtrack to Ujala, you either had a cassette copy (I don't even know if it exists) or a 78 record or you had to wait until 1990 to get this Lp. It's just weird that they waited that long, because it's a decent soundtrack.

Anyway, like I said "Jhoomta Mausam Mast Mahina" is great, as well as "Duniyawalo Se Door" which is a cute playful love song that I really like. I also enjoy the typically 50's melody of the first song "Suraj Zarra Aa Paas Aa".

You also have a rare Mukesh and Mohd. Rafi duet with the song "Yaro Surat Hamari Pe".

Next you have two songs that resemble each other "Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha" and "O Mora Nadan Balma".They are the "cabaret" numbers, but I think Shankar Jaikishan could have simply chosen one of them for the movie.

Ujala reminds me of Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (to see the post click here) , especially when you hear the songs "Aa Ab Laut Chalen" from JDMGBH and "Ab Kayan Jahen Hum" from Ujala. Both soundtracks where made during the same periode and Shankar Jaikishan seem to like using a chorus in the late 50's and beginning 60's.

I enjoyed this album very much, what do you think?

Oh and don't pay attention to the creepy Shammi Kapoor picture, because he is so cute in film.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Manna Dey & Chorus: Suraj Zarra Aa Paas Aa

2. Lata Mangeshkar: O Mora Nadan Balma

3. Mohd. Rafi & Mukesh: Yaro Surat Hamari Pe

4. Lata Mangeshkar: Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha

Side 2

5. Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshar: Jhoomta Mausam Mast Mahina

6. Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar: Duniyawalon Se Door

7. Manna Dey & Chorus: Ab Kahan Jayen Hum

8. Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey & Chorus: Chham Chham Chhumak Chhumak

Lyrics: Shailendra & Hasrat Jaipuri


Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Shankar Jaikishan Ujala

Kalyanji Anandji: Raja Saab (1969)

At first, I was a little scared of the album. The cover of Raja Saab reads "cheesy romantic comedy" with bollywood's "good girl" Nanda and the "good guy" Shashi Kapoor. But as much as I like Shashi Kapoor, I was hesitant because, Raj Kapoor (his brother) once said that Shashi would choose some of his roles for money and not quality. Plus the man, for some weird reason, can't dance, so my hopes weren't high on having great dance songs. The only good factors that attracted me to this album were of course, 1 : Mohd. Rafi and 2: the fact that it was composed by the duo Kalyanji Anandji. But once I listen to it, to my surprise the music eclipsed the movie and the people related to making the music on the album really came through, thanks guys.


The first song ''Raju Ka Hai Ek Khwab'' and the last ''Jin Ki Kismat Men'' are basically the same song but the intros and the tempos are different. I prefer the last version.

One of my favorite songs on the album is "Tu Jungle Ki Morni" and even if I don't understand that much hindi, I think it's the stupidest (meaning the lyrics don't mean much) song on the record, but it's the bounciest one

But honestly, I enjoy listening to all the songs on the album. They all have a little something special even is they are cheesy. The other one's I enjoy are the funny "Kal Raat Wali" and the slower more romantic "Sajna Tere Bin" and "Humne Aaj Se Tumhen".

For what it is, a light and fun soundtrack, it's great fun. It's good classic 60's bollywood. Tell me what you think?

Tracks

Side 1

1. Mohd. Rafi: Raju Ka Hai Ek Khwab

2. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Humne Aaj Se Tumhen

3. Mohd. Rafi & Suman Kalyanpur: Tu Jungle Ki Morni

Side 2

4. Mohd. Rafi: Kal Raat Wali

5. Lata Mangeshkar : Sajna Tere Bin

6. Mohd. Rafi & Chorus: Kisi Meherban Ki

7. Mohd. Rafi: Jin Ki Kismat Men

Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Kalyanji Anandji Raja Saab

Khemchand Prakash: Mahal (1949/1978)

Mahal was one of the first ''horror'' hindi movies. The film, which made Madhubala a star, was produced by the famous studio, Bombay Talkies.


This all female soundtrack is normal for the 1940's when heroines were more popular than the heroes.

Everyone who knows Mahal associates ''Aayega Aanewala'' as the hit of the movie and also as one of Lata Mangeshkar's best. But I prefer the next one on the album ''Ek Teer Chala'' because the beginning sounds so creepy. Well when I think about it the hole album has a creepy feel to it, in part because of the notes chosen by the composer, Khemchand Prakash.


My favorite is ''Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya''. Give it a chance, it gets good from the middle of the song .


The dance music is good, but I find it more atmospheric then for dancing.


The album has great dramatic and sad music, but it fails to impress me. I don't have much to say about it because I can't connect with this album. If I do in the future I will post an update on this post, but for now I just not into this one.

Tell me what do you think of Mahal.


Tracks:

Side 1

1. Lata Mangeshkar: Aayega Aanewala

2. Rajkumari: Ek Teer Chala

3. Rajkumari & Zohra Ambala: Chhun Chhun Ghungharwa

4. Dance Music

Side 2

5. Lata Mangeshkar: Mushkil Hai Bahot

6. Rajkumari: Ghabra Ke Jo Ham
7. Rajkumari: Main Hoon Hansee Hoon

8. Lata Mangeshkar: Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya

9. Music

Lyrics: J. Nakshab

Stella_1's score: 3/5

Get the music now: Khemchand Prakash Mahal

Kalyanji Anandji: Qurbani in English

To start off, Yeay! Qurbani in English! (these aren't easy to find) This is not the official film soundtrack for Qurbani. If you want to hear the Hindi version just click here to see Music from the Third Floor's post.

''Aap Jaise Koi'' is Qurbani's original hit, but ''What A Wonder It Will Be'' sung twice, once by Sharon (which I like better) and once by Bashir Sheikh isn't quite what I expected. Bashir also wrote the lyrics, which I find sometimes plain. But I can give his lack of poetry the benefit of the doubt because I didn't find any info on him. I don't know if he is a song writer or just a singer.

By the way, there are missing intros to the songs, ''Let Do It, Let's Do It, Let's Do It'' and ''Each Time I See Your Face''. Coincidentally they are my favorite on the album and outshine they're hindi counterparts.

The context of the song ''Let's Do It, Let's Do It, Let's Do It'' is about love and nostalgia, but the hindi version ''Qurbani, Qurbani'' is about friendship, god and sacrifice. It's the least related to the film version but, from my point of view, it's better then the hindi version. And on the plus side I like they're English accents in the song when they say ''yesteryear'' and ''fear''.

''Each Time I Remember Your Pretty Face'' is my favorite on this album. It has a nice melody an instrumental break including synthesizers. The hindi version is ''Hum Tuhme Chahte Hain'' but my favorite on the original Qurbani soundtrack is ''Laila O Laila''.

In all, the record is great but if it would have only come out in english I wouldn't have been so excited to listen to it.

Tracks:

Side 1

1. Sharon Prabhakar: What A Wonder It Will Be*

2. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: Each Time I Remember Your Pretty Face

3. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: Let's Do It, Let's Do It, Let's Do It

Side 2

4. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: I You Were Prince Charming

5. Bashir Sheikh & Sharon Prabhakar: Don't Ever Leave Me

6. Bashir Sheikh: What A Wonder It Will Be*

*Track 1 & 6 composed by Biddu

Lyrics: Bashir Sheikh

Stella_1's score: 3.5/5

Get the music now: Kalyanji Anandji Qurbani in English