tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58839177113024860292024-02-06T22:11:37.179-05:00Parties, Sarees and MelodiesVintage Bollywood AlbumsStella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-17417059690541517472010-07-21T01:00:00.001-04:002010-07-21T10:33:48.019-04:00S. D. Burman: Taxi Driver (1954/1977) Pakistan<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496081401292547122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1APJoiwDrU94YCMAOJG0CVNc6veHUssrCb4CaBlpZfkaJQu3oDvoWLbHltOWvEfLGEmV1OIwHS3SkvNvkmh1NJp9E9o5Tykt_GPjmGW3PlfOHtGaZLlfqXv6NTaYqGNsLNs7TXCIDSzho/s320/Lp-Taxi+Driver.JPG" /> Ok, ok. I actually enjoyed the <em>Taxi Driver</em> soundtrack more than<em> Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi</em>. And I have to admit that I am finding some S. D. Burman songs which I enjoy very much (hey, don't even think about it...this doesn't mean that I am a S. D. Burman Fan). I have still to find an entire "Dada" album that impresses me. To date, this is the closest, if you don't count Aradhana (composed by S. D. Burman/R. D. Burman). And bizarrely enough S. D. Burman won the Filmfare Award for best music director in 1955 for the song "Jahen To Jahen Kahan" and not for the entire album. Actually, the first two years the award was given, it was awarded for a song not an album (Naushad won it in 1954 for "To Gauga Ki Mauj" from <em>Baiju Bawra</em>).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCZ-eC40k-l-QAZByl5buO3Pp8lPbLA2XAPJ4C1ksu1m5UmjIHQxclsxxIdcYVKSIAtHEMhOQ_dRs3VYny1PXWlJL9V6Ro1PR584aqjbpP91NVTPOnfn4nhQYRrP7RiapdeOe5KswA6t-/s1600/Lp-Taxi+Driver+%28Back%29.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 194px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496081700949057090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCZ-eC40k-l-QAZByl5buO3Pp8lPbLA2XAPJ4C1ksu1m5UmjIHQxclsxxIdcYVKSIAtHEMhOQ_dRs3VYny1PXWlJL9V6Ro1PR584aqjbpP91NVTPOnfn4nhQYRrP7RiapdeOe5KswA6t-/s200/Lp-Taxi+Driver+%28Back%29.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><div>I agree with Filmfare on this one, I very much enjoy Talat Mahmood's version of "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XLhptDlJN0&feature=related">Jahen To Jahen Kahan</a>". I usually associate Mahmood with Dilip Kumar, and Dev Anand with the equally talented Hemant Kumar (aka Hemanta Mukherjee), but this combo does just fine in the picturization of this lovely tune. Lata also takes a stab at the same song but I it's left emotionless next to Talat Mahmood's version.<br /><br />I also admire "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiviSaSSK7g">Dil Jale To Jale</a>", an "almost vamp song" for Lataji with its catchy and fine swaying melody. Do like the two little <em>gore</em> playing instruments in the band (I just had to post pics...).</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifttfty8GB4pKZEahiVUifeinck9X6UIirZhfer9NJ1ExkT8iEDeyjOgLgQU3dLB4MXebyE9l2-r1sQXUQW3F8xfNz7b70sDSu-e1YtfZliSUTyLhAWfXB4I5w45M4rO7oFmoM4XP_Pj5m/s1600/taxidriver4.png"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496215051040997138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifttfty8GB4pKZEahiVUifeinck9X6UIirZhfer9NJ1ExkT8iEDeyjOgLgQU3dLB4MXebyE9l2-r1sQXUQW3F8xfNz7b70sDSu-e1YtfZliSUTyLhAWfXB4I5w45M4rO7oFmoM4XP_Pj5m/s200/taxidriver4.png" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0WJyDkMqO_VtRhf2Wskdr8vwDbjEftVuPuqGAcTuNFHhk52pZGJADJuHVhimx08TFoD1M9jB3sXpEYW8v19dESGLcdnG2gs5p0aqq-7dZnR5ibNYYDDgKEL_tgAvMp9LDQcw5xrcvWjo/s1600/taxidriver3.png"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496214599288120418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0WJyDkMqO_VtRhf2Wskdr8vwDbjEftVuPuqGAcTuNFHhk52pZGJADJuHVhimx08TFoD1M9jB3sXpEYW8v19dESGLcdnG2gs5p0aqq-7dZnR5ibNYYDDgKEL_tgAvMp9LDQcw5xrcvWjo/s200/taxidriver3.png" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>The duet "Dekho Mane Nahin Roothi Haseena" is good and playful. Yet I still don't know exactly who the male playback singer Jagmohan is? My closest guesses are either Jagmohan Bakshi a music composer, associated with Sapan Sengupta for the Sapan & Jagmohan team, or Jaganmoy Mitra the Bengali singer.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Also worth a listen is "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pFsaFJz3oI&feature=channel">Ae Zindigi Aaj Raat Jhoom Le</a>". But I would have liked it if the intro to the song (shown in the link) would have been on the record. To bad. </div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Overall, this album is worth a listen, and I hope you appreciate it more than I do.<br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>Tracks</div><br /><div><br /><em>Side 1</em></div><div></div><div>1. Asha Bhosle: Jeene Do Oji O</div><div>2. Lata Mangeshkar: Jaen To Jaen Kahan<br />3. Asha Bhosle & Jagmohan: Dekho Mane Nahi Roothi Haseena</div><div>4. Lata Mangheshkar: Ae Zindigi Aaj Raat Jhoom Le</div><div><br /></div><div><em>Side 2</em></div><br /><div>5. Kishore Kumar: Chache Koi Khush Ho Chahe Galiyan Hazar De</div><div>6. Talat Mahmood: Jaen To Jaen Kahan</div><div>7. Lata Mangeshkar: Dil Se Milake Dil Pyar Kijiye</div><div>8. Lata Mangeshkar: Dil Jale To Jale</div><br /><div><br />Lyrics: Sahir</div><br /><div>Stella_1's score: <strong>3.5</strong></div><br /><div><strong>Get the music Now:</strong> S. D. Burman <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?83iaktf6lhguuff">Taxi Driver</a></div></div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-22913854376475632972010-02-15T23:58:00.001-05:002010-02-16T02:25:13.527-05:00S. D. Burman: Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958/1989)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-LLd8TUPvdKByxprmRxfMvpC6mnPqjZfFB60fPyzNUMjMljCpUd8aqWOHapUVZjY8jslJ9DFwazJaSgTAdQzH4aI7HL32khO_caRDxOlpjDwA6k-7odQ0HkY5ySwENqQ5FtaIj7NHDAO/s1600-h/Lp-Chalti+Ka+Nam+Gaadi.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 313px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438725995264096306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-LLd8TUPvdKByxprmRxfMvpC6mnPqjZfFB60fPyzNUMjMljCpUd8aqWOHapUVZjY8jslJ9DFwazJaSgTAdQzH4aI7HL32khO_caRDxOlpjDwA6k-7odQ0HkY5ySwENqQ5FtaIj7NHDAO/s320/Lp-Chalti+Ka+Nam+Gaadi.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128985/">Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi</a> is not my favourite soundtrack nor is S. D. Burman my favourite composer. None the less, this hindi comedy does have it's own charm. Kishore Kumar's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV1cczPv4_o&feature=related">Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi Si</a>" is the best song on the record, and is today considered a classic.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsAXxmngyy8whgGN7xVC5ajHH2UlUyiyzLcNrjuOIH0uF5AyEbrELLUNdN13-SR8gam3HNtWx_3U9xmfP0hSicvuYrRg8zMpJwtvM_YEjfz3S5eC5iYLVUVmnMk-yXwOdP3FlccSINjI9/s1600-h/Lp-Chalti+Ka+Nam+Gaadi+(Back).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 196px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438726213568126210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsAXxmngyy8whgGN7xVC5ajHH2UlUyiyzLcNrjuOIH0uF5AyEbrELLUNdN13-SR8gam3HNtWx_3U9xmfP0hSicvuYrRg8zMpJwtvM_YEjfz3S5eC5iYLVUVmnMk-yXwOdP3FlccSINjI9/s200/Lp-Chalti+Ka+Nam+Gaadi+(Back).JPG" /></a>For a comedy, which usually tends to lack in the song department, this record tries its best to cater and reach out to the common city folk with it's modern upbeat music. I like it because its, in a way, unsophisticated and humble which makes it easy to relate to and accessible to everyone.<br /><br />One of my favorite songs on the record is "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rzW2i9mAas">Tum Tumare Hain</a>". It's performed by the lovely Helen with her dance mentor Cukoo.<br /><br />But the most important figure on this album and the "soul" behind the songs comes from Kishore Kumar's voice. He acts through his singing, this very strong asset of his makes listening to the record worthwhile. Enjoy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Tracks:</div><br /><br /><div><em>Side 1</em></div><br /><div>1. Title Music</div><div>2. Kishore Kumar & Manna Dey: Babu Samjho Ishare</div><div>3. Kishore Kumar: Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi Si<br />4. Kishore Kumar: Hum The Who Thi</div><div>5. Kishore Kumar & Chorus: In Hathon Se Sabki Gaadi<br /><br /><br /></div><div><em>Side 2</em></div><br /><div>6. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Haal Kaisa Hai Jabab Ka (with dialogue)</div><div>7. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar: Main Sitaron Ka Tarana</div><div>8. Asha Bhosle: Ruk Jao Na Jee</div><div>9. Asha Bhosle & Sudha Malhotra: Hum Tumhare Hain</div><br /><br /><div>Lyrics: Majrooh</div><br /><div>Stella_1's score: <strong>3/5</strong><br /><br /><strong>Get the music now:</strong> S. D. Burman <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?akdeutgjzjt">Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi</a></div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-75912546791809651542010-02-12T22:02:00.012-05:002010-02-13T03:29:16.344-05:00Satyajit Ray: Shakespeare Wallah (1965)<div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 312px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437636838383677250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiner9wE7orlKy7ZdtXCaLNgxPhoVSpr9wWa1HPKo4ePNIGWj2VF3cVxwqdkGHh6evqozyTN9d1thFZjuzLwwF699AWAsAaC5LKNB2t50TkKxqoXN3dHbZxuebomqABuQ0LVb4NwOe7H5Qn/s320/DSCF1889.JPG" />While many westerners know Satyajit Ray as a director, most famously for his Apu Trilogy. The famous Bengali also gained some recent popularity as a composer with Wes Anderson's 2007 film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0838221/"><em>Darjeeling Limited</em></a>. The soundtrack for the film holds five compositions of his. You can also see a homage to Ray in the film as a painted portrait on the train (I posted the screencap at the bottom of the page.) One of the tracks featured on <em>Darjeeling Limited'</em>s soundtrack called "The Desert Ballroom", the shortest track on the record, is originally from the 1965 film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059709/"><em>Shakespeare Wallah</em></a>.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa55TfvghYsFXJoiqyr_vxVY8xkszgwwBQF43YQwWE2Bcj1fzllFWZEPrdRHemLRe9_B1p_Idw1Csl0Hyi58M__PP75pXhZWXJDEAeBDALuCUcYpI_uHaALojS8QQFG2cmDdTIqE1-7Lz/s1600-h/DSCF1891.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 198px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437637057474393346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa55TfvghYsFXJoiqyr_vxVY8xkszgwwBQF43YQwWE2Bcj1fzllFWZEPrdRHemLRe9_B1p_Idw1Csl0Hyi58M__PP75pXhZWXJDEAeBDALuCUcYpI_uHaALojS8QQFG2cmDdTIqE1-7Lz/s200/DSCF1891.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059709/"><em>Shakespeare W</a><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059709/">al</a><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059709/">lah</em></a> is yet another Merchant-Ivory production (see my Bombay Talkie post), directed by American James Ivory and produced by Ismail Merchant. The story is set in India, and borrows from the real life adventures of the Kendal family (in the film they are called the Buckingham's), a British travelling theater group who mostly performed Shakespeare across the sub-continent.<br /><br /><br />This is mostly an instrumental soundtrack. Ray uses, leitmotif, the classical western method of musical theme associated to a person, situation or other which in turn is used several times throughout the film. He also incorporates and mixes both western with traditional Indian music and instruments. The only actual "song" on the record is "Manjula's song". It is the only one with vocals, and is inspired by folk music as well as commercial indian soundtracks or filmi music with its dreamlike qualities. I also enjoy "Manjula's Possession" as well as "Lizzie and Sanju Backstage".<br /><br /><br /><p>Overall, the album is melancholic and atmospheric, sometimes emotionally and sometimes to be used to describe the little unique universe in which all these characters are living in. </p>It's interesting how Satyajit Ray's films are very much influenced by neo-realism, but this specific soundtrack is not realist in this sense. Not to say they live in a fantasy world the characters do not live in reality per say and the music illustrates that.<br /><br /><br /><p>I am looking for a film documentary mad e in 1984 by Utpalendu Chakrabarty called T<em>he Music of Satyajit Ray.</em> If anyone has seen it I would sure like to hear about it. Thanks, and enjoy the music and the lovely screencap below.</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 179px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437639862461026146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJF48WfMFulRe756mpFkpDRi1Debu6l5y9qKxpenUb6UqFdHm04HVrOstwyGq1AH707WBJqBNqWisazTAly2xVPq76fNAAffuDpw4kw8HYsAbAJOnZsgqfXVnyS1X5vATdHROwA5BesyS/s320/satyajitray.jpg" /><span style="font-size:85%;">Portrait of Satyajit Ray (top right corner) in <em>Darjeeling Limited</em> (2007) accompanied by Jason Schwartzman.<br /></span><br /><br /><p> </p><p>Tracks:<br /><br /><em></em></p><p><em>Side 1</em><br /><br />1. Title Music</p><p>2. Cleopatra's Barge</p><p>3. Arrival of the Troupe in the Rain</p><p>4. Manjula's Procession<br /><br />5. The Good Old Days</p><p>6. Mubarak Begum: Manjula's Song-Dil Dharke (Heartbeat)</p><br /><br /><p><em>Side 2</em></p><br /><p>7. Pantomime</p><p>8. Bobby's Funeral</p><p>9. Love Theme - Sanju and Lizzie</p><p>10. Carla begs Lizzie to Return to England</p><p>11. The Desert Ballroom</p><p>12. Lizzie and Sanju Backstage</p><p>13. Lizzie Sails for England<br /></p><br /><p>Get the music now: Satyajit Ray <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?jnnaynlighi">Shakespeare Wallah</a></p></div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-81162455992320443132009-11-14T17:16:00.007-05:002009-11-19T21:49:03.007-05:00Bombay Talkie Quiz #2<em>Again in the title sequence, a magazine/newsstand is being shown.</em><br /><br />Quiz # 2: <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Name the three actresses on the magazine covers ?</span></strong><br /><br />1. Filmfare - ???<br />2. Film World - ???<br />3. (Top right) - ???<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406009739232168258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31fEq5QTK3VrJzrf1N5XHQExLpP1MiRAR873jFXId-9jSUFLg8kvMTO5Kin7yQ5mZg_cCmwNcxgRSGuolYFZcHf7TM7YVge32dmCLmVheM_8ZXziCAXBT31eOV2h88TqtxYN4w6CeWRk6/s400/BombayTalkie1.jpg" /><br /><br />Good Luck!Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-9462642202474203962009-11-14T15:40:00.008-05:002009-11-14T17:15:05.109-05:00Bombay Talkie Quiz #1<div><em>I was watching the opening credits sequence, and noticed some movie billboards up behind the Helen Poster.</em></div><div><br /></div><div>Quiz # 1: <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Which 4 films are being displayed on billboards in the background of the Helen credits?</strong></span> (I already found Abhinetri)</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>1. Upper Left - Abhinetri</div><div>2. Upper Right - ???</div><div>3. Lower Left - ???</div><div>4. Lower Right - ??? Starts with "B"?</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404084150188130626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaqPOuzV9-OkR1eqLeT2lQt0U2Qb5iIk29p_d36mWgz5iJ64IRzAYxhd0nlnnuzBpdogstpkZzqFXY8M0dPyGkS3dIznN1V6p3aZvBPEvdNqe2ruuIf6BXkD5dGqSgmz9Bg_Ew73sYRyG/s400/BombayTalkie2.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404084478827244338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSxeYWxOZ7JfL9z-nGqqGAf0ifeRIwk71W6nP9tAIMlkVB-tOZf97gXMdTc2CTAqKhykVwOaTAlTfOn0ShriQz0Ah9zuhYq3oICQJmOp-I-NMesF071PBlK2CaWmE2tIYDJI8k9ZaugvW/s400/BombayTalkie3.jpg" /><br />You can also checkout the opening sequence itself.<br /><br /><object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3wMuYl_-ig8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3wMuYl_-ig8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><br /><br /><div></div>Hope you can figure it out!<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-53321468520638001752009-11-06T17:38:00.005-05:002009-11-06T17:44:45.465-05:00Shankar Jaikishan: Bombay Talkie (1970)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYnaqabqU3xFs2rykgADlY2dqquHvVbIsWnbaRvMfuGY6pZTIpCNg4DivDJ-MhSJePXv-nrjd1hq0hA27zwhWmfPvkPvT5-ZI-HFwxGKaY_GI5H4UhVAk7-sYzJxW7cCrtzHZuw2I_UwX/s1600-h/Lp-Bombay+Talkie.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392712775430292082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYnaqabqU3xFs2rykgADlY2dqquHvVbIsWnbaRvMfuGY6pZTIpCNg4DivDJ-MhSJePXv-nrjd1hq0hA27zwhWmfPvkPvT5-ZI-HFwxGKaY_GI5H4UhVAk7-sYzJxW7cCrtzHZuw2I_UwX/s320/Lp-Bombay+Talkie.JPG" /></a>Bombay Talkie is quite a find. The music, by Shankar Jaikishan, is the only collaboration between themselves and the famous Merchant-Ivory film team (Ismail Merchant and James Ivory). The english film, starring Shashi Kapoor, his wife Jennifer Kendal and Zia Mohyeddin, mostly takes place in Bombay of the late 60's early 70's. Vikram (Shashi Kapoor) is an aging hero stuck in an unhappy <img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 199px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400868037416154978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvD6Z9rrVWfB_HFBmr4zblvUxBLedMk7as2sRrDMrEvozYUEBEO8c9u4e8c4gjPHQ0DHghfFWOJsxT9auNkjDAYxAsl229nVH1QeXYRAsktnTVT-c14mISMNVyzzHBFMz-UttLHs3QqeI/s200/Lp-Bombay+Talkie+(Back).JPG" />arranged marriage with his wife Mala (Aparna Sen). Lucia, a three time married middle age novelist, takes a liking to Vikram while Hari, a Bombay screenwriter, madly in love with her, does as she pleases. This has to be my favorite Merchant-Ivory film ever! But I won't say any more than that, as I will probably review the film one day. For now, let me talk about some of the soundtrack's great songs.<br /><br />The tracks comprise, mostly of various versions of the Bombay Talkie Theme, "Title and Theme" can be heard in the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wMuYl_-ig8&feature=related">Title Credits</a> along with "Tum Mere Pyar Ki Duniyamen" a few seconds before that. In this particular sequence, the "Title and Theme" is played as hand painted portraits (filmi style) of the cast and crew are shown around the streets of Mumbai.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r53Mg3g5Ly-XL4CUSHqH6aHSIb0cstJDiZ7WSImhi5-7oPyfJwVj-mZ89F-f1JTcLcXHKSjNeMW23hyVVq_DxfpLW5yJPGPhl8XDL02Vrh1oemvETitg4H2WgsCURbRoZab37AjNkSiW/s1600-h/BombayTalkie4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401098534441168130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r53Mg3g5Ly-XL4CUSHqH6aHSIb0cstJDiZ7WSImhi5-7oPyfJwVj-mZ89F-f1JTcLcXHKSjNeMW23hyVVq_DxfpLW5yJPGPhl8XDL02Vrh1oemvETitg4H2WgsCURbRoZab37AjNkSiW/s200/BombayTalkie4.jpg" /></a><br />Besides the theme variations, five, of what we can call conventional, songs are found on the record. Along with the previously mentioned "Tum Mere Pyar Ki Dumiyamen" you have to start with the great and famous "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzC3GQn_TC0">Typewritter Tip Tip Tip</a>" song because, well, just because. With the fantastic Helen and Shashi dancing on a giant typewriter, what else do you need. A young and spunky Usha Lyer gives us two versions of "Hari Om Tat Sat" (हारी ॐ तट सात). One is the orchestrated version which is <div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcQPdHqulNl-RnywQG82Ke-FCoaJ7KZySdK_RNRz4tBD8WSOjsSVJHTnRXHwYgNYmLnjw3Uz9E63yrUyFpEsqA-KZY16PMBf2WzrLWJhDvOKN8DTSVByraSQ0dj0Rneng5cnm1U-o9p0l/s1600-h/BombayTalkie5.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401098819326381730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcQPdHqulNl-RnywQG82Ke-FCoaJ7KZySdK_RNRz4tBD8WSOjsSVJHTnRXHwYgNYmLnjw3Uz9E63yrUyFpEsqA-KZY16PMBf2WzrLWJhDvOKN8DTSVByraSQ0dj0Rneng5cnm1U-o9p0l/s200/BombayTalkie5.jpg" /></a></div></div></div>the film version and the other version is the "official" version. She also sings the vocals to the Bombay Theme tune "Good Times, Bad Times".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcQPdHqulNl-RnywQG82Ke-FCoaJ7KZySdK_RNRz4tBD8WSOjsSVJHTnRXHwYgNYmLnjw3Uz9E63yrUyFpEsqA-KZY16PMBf2WzrLWJhDvOKN8DTSVByraSQ0dj0Rneng5cnm1U-o9p0l/s1600-h/BombayTalkie5.jpg"></a><br />As for the variations I enjoy the "Rajput Suite" "Now I Shall Call You Ma" and especially "Picnic in the Cave" with it's new wave synthesisers.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-iLcZFyJoQirzBcpQBBPsNdERSKtVIuwik2lxmMQA-RsHx97dDLvRgZ2oo1vn9x2Wk8WQ-kiKDPNKnrQkTBFHajvYtDJyAod499zN7oFkKFrgga7LOhDfC32HESca3IhLXWDlqxns1Gp/s1600-h/BombayTalkie6.jpg"></a></div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-iLcZFyJoQirzBcpQBBPsNdERSKtVIuwik2lxmMQA-RsHx97dDLvRgZ2oo1vn9x2Wk8WQ-kiKDPNKnrQkTBFHajvYtDJyAod499zN7oFkKFrgga7LOhDfC32HESca3IhLXWDlqxns1Gp/s1600-h/BombayTalkie6.jpg"></a></div><div>Overall, though it's not entirely a commercial Hindi film soundtrack, it is very enjoyable and interesting to listen too. As much for it's filmi s<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-iLcZFyJoQirzBcpQBBPsNdERSKtVIuwik2lxmMQA-RsHx97dDLvRgZ2oo1vn9x2Wk8WQ-kiKDPNKnrQkTBFHajvYtDJyAod499zN7oFkKFrgga7LOhDfC32HESca3IhLXWDlqxns1Gp/s1600-h/BombayTalkie6.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 149px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401099233745428338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-iLcZFyJoQirzBcpQBBPsNdERSKtVIuwik2lxmMQA-RsHx97dDLvRgZ2oo1vn9x2Wk8WQ-kiKDPNKnrQkTBFHajvYtDJyAod499zN7oFkKFrgga7LOhDfC32HESca3IhLXWDlqxns1Gp/s200/BombayTalkie6.jpg" /></a>ongs, instrumentals and some rare Usha Lyer (now Usha Uthup) tunes. Just listen for yourselves!</div></div></div><br /><div>Oh, and once your done listening to the music, those who have not seen the movie yet, rent it or buy it NOW!<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcQPdHqulNl-RnywQG82Ke-FCoaJ7KZySdK_RNRz4tBD8WSOjsSVJHTnRXHwYgNYmLnjw3Uz9E63yrUyFpEsqA-KZY16PMBf2WzrLWJhDvOKN8DTSVByraSQ0dj0Rneng5cnm1U-o9p0l/s1600-h/BombayTalkie5.jpg"></a></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div>Tracks:<br /><br /><em>Side 1</em><br /><br />1. Instrumental - Title and Theme<br />2. Mohd. Rafi - Tum Mere Pyar Ki Duniyamen<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Variations of theme:</span><br />3. Instrumental - Incidental Music<br />4. Instrumental - Devotion<br />5. Instrumental - Rajput Suite<br />6. Instrumental - Now I Shall Call You Ma<br />7. Instrumental - More Incidental Music<br />8. Usha Uthup - Hari Om Tat Sat<br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Side 2</em><br /><br />9. Usha Uthup - Hari Om Tat Sat (with Orchestra)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Variations of theme:</span><br />10. Instrumental - Picnic in the Cave<br />11. Instrumental - Birthday Party 1<br />12. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar - Typewriter Tip Tip Tip<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Variations of theme:</span><br />13. Instrumental - Meeting and Birthday Party 2<br />14. Usha Uthup - Good Times, Bad Times<br /><br /><br />Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri, Usha Lyer/Uthup only for "Hari Om Tat Sat"<br /><br />Stella_1's score: <strong>4/5</strong><br /><br /><strong>Get the music now:</strong> Shankar Jaikishan <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/ktjgmyozkyw/Bombay%20Talkie%20(1970).zip">Bombay Talkie</a>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-30476902912778380842009-09-30T22:51:00.053-04:002009-10-15T02:30:50.028-04:00Compilation: Film Favourites of the Fifties (1962)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC3C6eJk6KKfE7BwEa43F0YCLMdwZs22mtvnDhrK33ASnIzgh6ovn9NN-VHlBJUzxZSRkTnDU1uQJiROEiu3SudEmxoLWBjYdvsyeRB50rI2kyUC2yQz34n3EUEDZp3NiP-Nnzmzoxe3U/s1600-h/DSCF1893.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392643638014358978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOC3C6eJk6KKfE7BwEa43F0YCLMdwZs22mtvnDhrK33ASnIzgh6ovn9NN-VHlBJUzxZSRkTnDU1uQJiROEiu3SudEmxoLWBjYdvsyeRB50rI2kyUC2yQz34n3EUEDZp3NiP-Nnzmzoxe3U/s320/DSCF1893.JPG" /></a> The 1950's were a time when the Hindi film industry was in full bloom. It was a golden age for filmi music but sadly this record only showcases a fragment of the classics of this period. Personally, the songs on this vinyl this would not make my top picks (not because they're not good, I just think some are better), but it is still well rounded with a good variety of noted composers and playback singers. For the most part, the songs are based on folk (Naushad usually derives from Rajasthani folk and O. P. Nayyar from Punjabi) so you won't find any songs falling under the categories of classical or "westernised".<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yp-ABU9axl1l1TRIDkl2LCfx96S_pdP9NsvgbesuBq6iU-t9fvB3oNRopIX1042J4UjhocIGE0i4TYYu8-_r7R4ZtLHU2Wi_7ZS4-dpO_1xQN812yto7NbgeW2_NqEvfBcAupsW-QYiv/s1600-h/DSCF1894.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 198px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392644040892984018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yp-ABU9axl1l1TRIDkl2LCfx96S_pdP9NsvgbesuBq6iU-t9fvB3oNRopIX1042J4UjhocIGE0i4TYYu8-_r7R4ZtLHU2Wi_7ZS4-dpO_1xQN812yto7NbgeW2_NqEvfBcAupsW-QYiv/s200/DSCF1894.JPG" /></a> Two songs I was glad to see "made the cut" were "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeT5Sl4suNE">Bol Ro Kath Putli</a>" from Kath Putli and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzgxsnmtTK4">Chali Radherani</a>" from Parineeta because they are rarest of the bunch to find on vinyl.<br /><p>My favourite songs are all the ones on <em>Side 2</em>, in addition to Talat Mahmood's male version of "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4Ih-vSsgis&feature=fvw">Ai Mere Dil</a>" from the classic Daag. I like the song from Mother India but I prefer other tunes from the film. In all, it's a good record.</p><p>Something I found weird was the Aan song. It's not the same in the video as on this record. </p><p><em></em></p><p><em><strong>Lyrics</strong></em></p><p><em>Aa Ha Ha... </em></p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>Aaj Mere Man Me Sakhi Basuri Bajaye Koi*</em></span></p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>Aaj Mere Man Me*</em></span></p><p><em>Aaj Mere Man Me Sakhi Basuri</em> <em>Bajaye Koi</em></p><p><em>Pyar Bare Geet Sakhi Baar Baar Gaye Koi</em></p><p><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Basuri Bajaye*</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color:#000000;">B</span><span style="color:#000000;">asuri Bajaye Sakhi Gaye .....</span></em></p><p><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">* missing from this record</span> (not film version, either cut or variation)</em></p><p>Here is the video version:</p><p><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hQFJKQFz-ss&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hQFJKQFz-ss&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /></p><p><strong>Mini Challenge</strong></p><p>Hey, if you could make film favourites from the 50's, which songs would you absolutely have to put on the record? Tell me some or all of them? I will try and figure out my top picks as well (its hard for me there are so many). Anyway, can't wait to hear from you, and I hope you enjoy!</p><p></p><p>Tracks: </p><p><br /><em>Side 1</em></p><br /><p>1. S. N. Tripathi - <strong>Janam Janam Ke Fere</strong>: Zara Samne To Aa O: Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi<br />2. Shankar Jaikishan - <strong>Daag</strong>: Ai Mere Dil: Talat Mahmood<br />3. S. D. Burman - <strong>Pyaasa</strong>: Jane Woh Kaise Log: Hemant Kumar<br />4. Naushad- <strong>Mother India</strong>: O! Mere Lal Aaja: Lata Mangeshkar<br />5. C. Ramchandra - <strong>Nastik</strong>: Kitna Badal Gaya: Pradeep<br />6. Arun Kumar <strong>Mukherjee</strong> - Parineeta: Chali Radherani: Manna Dey<br /><br /><br /><em>Side 2</em></p><br /><p>7. O. P. Nayyar - <strong>Naya Daur</strong>: Reshmi Salwar Kurta: Asha Bhosle & Shamshad Begum<br />8. Naushad - <strong>Aan</strong>: Aaj Mere Man Men: Lata Mangheskar & Chorus<br />9. O. P. Nayyar - <strong>Phagun</strong>: Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le: Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi<br />10. Shankar Jaikishan - <strong>Kath Putli</strong>: Bol Ro Kath Putli: Lata Mangeshkar<br />11. O. P. Nayyar - <strong>C. I. D.:</strong> Leke Pahla Pahla Pyar: Shamshad Begum & Mohd. Rafi<br />12. Shankar Jaikishan - <strong>Ujala</strong>: Ya Allah Ya Allah: Lata Mangeshkar & Manna Dey<br /><br />Stella_1's score: <strong>3.5/5</strong></p><p><strong><br />Get the music now:</strong> Compilation <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?azmwz2qnzrm">Film Favorites from the Fifties<br /></p></a>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-58076900807194494842009-09-27T13:25:00.001-04:002009-09-29T01:24:20.168-04:00Naushad: Dard (1947/1977)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuffJsKoRXT0U2mc3YkDtnwbrIM7_XJzn_JCA3JpP-TKdZBcDAEoWwRi_TyQ5KibJgows8IXFzAHJqA5mZcs9XQXwBuCs23q9tyqpQ7rsluNGB0ZvbZfYcXUlq8c6h4PCa9UrCfx9zisqn/s1600-h/Lp-Dard.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381165071593615330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuffJsKoRXT0U2mc3YkDtnwbrIM7_XJzn_JCA3JpP-TKdZBcDAEoWwRi_TyQ5KibJgows8IXFzAHJqA5mZcs9XQXwBuCs23q9tyqpQ7rsluNGB0ZvbZfYcXUlq8c6h4PCa9UrCfx9zisqn/s320/Lp-Dard.JPG" /></a>Here is a classic Naushad score. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0231427/">Dard</a> is a totally female album. It is one of many albums by Naushad, released prior and in the early 50's, which follows the trend of being in majority female. One factor for this could possibly be that film heroines in the 40's would be more important than their male counterparts, thus having more importance in the film and story. But this would only be one of many factors explaining this tendency.<br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV42s1yReoIaeRzpryu4t66GBxRejpeYaqJxn2pz1gbW3ir-UzObQscOViEvMd3-Fu-PFHizRhMJuvnQFg1hZgUg9CCHIUFCkAtHaerjVIvOu5I1AIAjQK-lqXYPR4CZKrA_uMuFdnRAk0/s1600-h/Lp-Dard+(Back).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 193px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381164837968749922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV42s1yReoIaeRzpryu4t66GBxRejpeYaqJxn2pz1gbW3ir-UzObQscOViEvMd3-Fu-PFHizRhMJuvnQFg1hZgUg9CCHIUFCkAtHaerjVIvOu5I1AIAjQK-lqXYPR4CZKrA_uMuFdnRAk0/s200/Lp-Dard+(Back).JPG" /></a> The "female voices" on Dard might be unknown to some of you, but they were immensely popular at the time and still are to the few who can appreciate the early singers and musicians of Hindi cinema (I hope that you are one of these people or are yet to become one soon). And except for Shamshad Begum whom I love (yet she does not standout on this record), for those of you who have no clue who the other two playback singers are, I will get you acquainted. </div><br /><div>Suraiya, the actress and playback singer, was associated to Dev Anand with whom she had a love affair. The peek of her career was from 1947 to 1950. She reigned in this period, for the most part, because she filled the void of the earlier queen Noor Jehan who in 1947 left for Pakistan during Partition. Suraiya's short stay at the top was also due to the arrival of India's very own nightingale, Lata Mangeshkar, as her first big hit "Aayega Aanewala" from Mahal (1949) changed the whole meaning of playback singing. You could not just be good, you had to be great. But Suraiya is not merely the one who filled the gap in between these two legends. For me, she is a simple beauty that evoked rawness and realism with her voice and expressions. I see Lata as a perfect queen and Suraiya as a modest artist. Later she still worked, mostly as an actress, but she still sang for other and herself. She was not a trained singer but she will always be remembered as one of the last popular singing actresses. </div><br /><br /><div>Who is this Umadevi (Uma Devi)? Voh Kaun Hai? Well, perhaps Tun Tun might ring more of a bell. We might know her more for her comedic or secondary roles in later films but in the beginning of her career she aspired to be a singer, even threatening to kill herself if Naushad did not give her chance. He did, and she ended up with the hit of the film and one of the best songs "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BiEqMNvUF0">Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon</a>".<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cciyO6v2qII&feature=related">Chale Dil Ki Duniya</a>" was my favorite from the start. Other tracks to listen to are "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYdF6CnubrM">Beech Bhanwar</a>", <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKmb5rOrxwA">Ham Dard Ka Afsana</a>.</div><div></div><div>Overall, I enjoyed it more and more every time I listened to it. It took me a while but I gave it a chance and it grew on me. Hope it does the same with you!</div><div><br /></div><div>Tracks</div><div><br /><em>Side 1</em></div><br /><div>1. Suraiya: Beech Bhanwar</div><div>2. Umadevi: Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon</div><div>3. Shamshad Begum & Chorus: Ham Dard Ka Afsana</div><div>4. Suraiya: Ham The Tumhare Tum The Hamare</div><div>5. Umadevi: Aaj Machi Hai Dhoom</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><em>Side 2</em></div><br /><div>6. Suraiya: Chale Dil Ki Duniya</div><div>7. Umadevi: Yeh Kaun Chala</div><div>8. Suraiya & Umadevi: Betab Hai Dil</div><div>9. Shamshad Begum: Yeh Afsana Nahin Zalim</div><div>10. Suraiya: Dil Dhadke</div><br /><br /><div>Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni</div><br /><br /><div>Stella_1's score: <strong>3.5/5</strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Get the music now:</strong> Naushad <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?kvktjzzjzzh">Dard</a></div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-71704049656889231402009-04-07T01:05:00.006-04:002009-04-10T01:29:06.875-04:00Kalyanji Anandji: Upkar (1967)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306864450100050754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 315px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLQnGHbUKsyIrtSJQglk9dNavri4ABcRA6urnrDoQOJInCCJYzEGEe4MT4T2yiGMyCxw_R-LQd0U4Y4KFZWZm5XxIScDDREqT8NiLPJNghXY4q02iMBalGTxUug1QRHz7KfSJ0lvRnDc-/s320/Lp-Upkar.JPG" border="0" />Even though I do not admire Manoj Kumar as an actor, I appreciate the films he has directed. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0146335/">Upkar</a> as a film, is very evident in theme yet it’s experimental in its photo direction. And this is particularly evident in the song sequences with even make the music more notable (and sadly not the other way around).<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div>The story is that of a young man played by Manoj Kumar, who is forced to sacrifice his education for his brother's played by Prem Chopra (looking quite handsome indeed!). Chopra’s character goes away to study and later returns as a young westernized and selfish man. Many of the themes in the film; East vs. West, Country vs. City and Rich vs. Poor are reflected in the brothers’ relationship. </div><br /><div><br />On the side of the Indian simpleton with superior moral values is the patriotic song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpqYjAHQtvI">Mere Desh Ki Dharati</a>". It reminds me of the “we proudly work our land” type of patriotism found in Mother India (1957). The cover of the album also shows Manoj’s character admiring Nehru while holding a plow as in THE song of the album.<br /><br /></div><div>You don't need fancy lounges or glamorous city clubs, just check and see how much "Punjabi style" fun you can have with the village song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_uf3h3bMqY&NR=1">Aaye Jhoomke Basant</a>". I dare you not to dance! </div><br /><div><br />The next song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EVt9Wj45uY&feature=PlayList&p=00A1621ED4100E93&index=7">Gulabi Raat Gulabi</a>" is associated with the "EVIL" West! (you know, <em>Wizard of Oz's</em> Wicked Witch of the West type of West or the <em>Pardes</em> (Sharukh Khan version) type of West). But it's one of the best songs on the album, sung by the one and only Vamp Queen Asha Bhosle. The song is divided into two parts. Asha sings to the consumerist westernized party goers and the second part is sung by Mohd. Rafi as images of hungry and miserable street goers are shown as they try and survive in the slums. </div><br /><div align="left"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzi658lgYpXK1ntQl-BPuvAOtmvhRAj93L6hXJJb9rYIwL_5PTivkArdzL_eoJRIDKGrt5_GWix-sUgzCv11tE5AC26aQlS-LcydxtJhJ-gppmO5VPjWmE3KYQslRcP6FCJzn7fbVRLOq4/s1600-h/Upkar2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320715418043624770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 137px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzi658lgYpXK1ntQl-BPuvAOtmvhRAj93L6hXJJb9rYIwL_5PTivkArdzL_eoJRIDKGrt5_GWix-sUgzCv11tE5AC26aQlS-LcydxtJhJ-gppmO5VPjWmE3KYQslRcP6FCJzn7fbVRLOq4/s200/Upkar2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hGLhPKrnuD-LcAJw-TOkS8J6jsALweD6QN1sGBmOnsuM2OPc1-fRqN1xGqnxaiuVSXhBPTF1aFR26y8jzcUfPDKaUfPahJRmDqn-PMNqGVSf_yQx3CVRXKGXiQJYlefjHLWJoj3CBX3f/s1600-h/Upkar1.jpg"></a><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzi658lgYpXK1ntQl-BPuvAOtmvhRAj93L6hXJJb9rYIwL_5PTivkArdzL_eoJRIDKGrt5_GWix-sUgzCv11tE5AC26aQlS-LcydxtJhJ-gppmO5VPjWmE3KYQslRcP6FCJzn7fbVRLOq4/s1600-h/Upkar2.jpg"></a></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzi658lgYpXK1ntQl-BPuvAOtmvhRAj93L6hXJJb9rYIwL_5PTivkArdzL_eoJRIDKGrt5_GWix-sUgzCv11tE5AC26aQlS-LcydxtJhJ-gppmO5VPjWmE3KYQslRcP6FCJzn7fbVRLOq4/s1600-h/Upkar2.jpg"></a></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzi658lgYpXK1ntQl-BPuvAOtmvhRAj93L6hXJJb9rYIwL_5PTivkArdzL_eoJRIDKGrt5_GWix-sUgzCv11tE5AC26aQlS-LcydxtJhJ-gppmO5VPjWmE3KYQslRcP6FCJzn7fbVRLOq4/s1600-h/Upkar2.jpg"></a></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzi658lgYpXK1ntQl-BPuvAOtmvhRAj93L6hXJJb9rYIwL_5PTivkArdzL_eoJRIDKGrt5_GWix-sUgzCv11tE5AC26aQlS-LcydxtJhJ-gppmO5VPjWmE3KYQslRcP6FCJzn7fbVRLOq4/s1600-h/Upkar2.jpg"></a></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">No sharabi (alcohol) for you mister!</span> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Also, lend an ear to "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMk2v_mPkTs">Kasme Wade Pyar Wafa</a>" and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO5zcpUCWao">Diwano Se Mat Puchho</a>".</div><br /><div align="left"><br />It's a classic film and soundtrack, but not one of my personal favourites. I absolutely recommend watching the film, Kamini Kaushal and Pran are amazing! </div><br /><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2SVyIXeeY6hA7hyXZAldgJoHiqsnn9CeHIXiGa1mHEcgyP_b7M4H74gFU6WQwyOW7kVTlp6WvhjrxNQG7PRMWi4ZPZ-JERTKeE7m1XOZVD5Z0OkKwa6bb1O7E0pHQgh3P9NoKpJwxDfo/s1600-h/Upkar1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320715864011101826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 138px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2SVyIXeeY6hA7hyXZAldgJoHiqsnn9CeHIXiGa1mHEcgyP_b7M4H74gFU6WQwyOW7kVTlp6WvhjrxNQG7PRMWi4ZPZ-JERTKeE7m1XOZVD5Z0OkKwa6bb1O7E0pHQgh3P9NoKpJwxDfo/s200/Upkar1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Take that <em>Slumdog Millionaire</em>! </span><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div>Tracks:<br /><br /><br /><em>Side 1</em></div><br /><div>1. Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus: Mere Desh Ki Dharati</div><div>2. Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor, Shamshad, Sunder & Chorus: Aaye Jhoomke Basant<br />3. Manna Dey: Kasme Wade Pyar Wafa</div><br /><div><br /><em>Side 2</em><br /></div><div>4. Mukesh: Diwano Se Mat Puchho<br />5. Lata Mangeshkar: Har Khushi Ho Wahan<br />6. Asha Bhosle & Mohd. Rafi: Gulabi Raat Gulabi</div><div>7. Mahendra Kapoor & Chorus: Mere Desh Ki Dharati</div><br /><div><br />Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra, Prem Dhawan, Qamar Jalalabadi and Indiwar</div><br /><div><br />Stella_1's score: <strong>3/5<br /></strong><br /></div><div><strong>Get the music now:</strong> Kalyandi Anandji <a href="http://thirdfloormusic.blogspot.com/2007/01/kalyanji-anandji-upkar-1967_14.html">Upkar</a> (link to Music From the Third Floor, because my computer is STILL broken.)</div></div></div></div></div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-20934089882112080862009-03-25T22:45:00.012-04:002009-03-25T23:21:58.112-04:00Who I was in a previous life!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-TeV1hIcJPUIbMr9YOLFRi-PyRhAPUTfLUW93blhzPC1EjlDT7UBKjcjUyIikLkZZmvo2c2f9kON4O7jDSoDJ3WIjLrFlgmTk_npdUTVEy3GUB-ekw0A_saJeYGA5Smv4-JXYTCpbSO3/s1600-h/Image276.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317324263621234914" style="WIDTH: 272px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 203px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-TeV1hIcJPUIbMr9YOLFRi-PyRhAPUTfLUW93blhzPC1EjlDT7UBKjcjUyIikLkZZmvo2c2f9kON4O7jDSoDJ3WIjLrFlgmTk_npdUTVEy3GUB-ekw0A_saJeYGA5Smv4-JXYTCpbSO3/s320/Image276.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2misGhcnV2Sfn8O-M9qdaP_TVFiLCcvxjV3nLjtcS5yuAkiZEJdG_ywmcPQn8mGIYZLS09IXGc5vhnjYY-9lQBiqye7dB42ek6B5TccEYU4r9-dr6FxkpAteTw3g-zG5644ie6ooP2ua0/s1600-h/chelseathompson.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317324119817052562" style="WIDTH: 264px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2misGhcnV2Sfn8O-M9qdaP_TVFiLCcvxjV3nLjtcS5yuAkiZEJdG_ywmcPQn8mGIYZLS09IXGc5vhnjYY-9lQBiqye7dB42ek6B5TccEYU4r9-dr6FxkpAteTw3g-zG5644ie6ooP2ua0/s320/chelseathompson.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div>There are strong chances that I am Margaret Thompson's reincarnation or bizarrely related to her. This is the Kannada (maybe a link- I live in Canada) Bili Hendthi from 1971. It's somewhat weird but a little funny as well. Just have a look for yourselves!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/16PONhs2IQo&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/16PONhs2IQo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tYK_rBsoA6U&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tYK_rBsoA6U&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZO9B6jgc8OU&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZO9B6jgc8OU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PCHWBqfG2P8&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PCHWBqfG2P8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-90038979554818642302009-02-23T16:24:00.000-05:002009-02-25T16:00:49.138-05:00S. D. Burman: Aradhana (1969)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYsAD-XV8ezlc9VI1oSCDA-go_yNG0FIfGU7pBiciXwEn4e55c98dqiQumdl04j09QMM3Ch5l4HAcpvEGzw-JpsEjdLkMFNxxHjYohMFdz0wWy4Ace0wQ1BYx98VwBosOtlYrjbC3GDiy/s1600-h/Lp-Aradhana.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306821923154037906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYsAD-XV8ezlc9VI1oSCDA-go_yNG0FIfGU7pBiciXwEn4e55c98dqiQumdl04j09QMM3Ch5l4HAcpvEGzw-JpsEjdLkMFNxxHjYohMFdz0wWy4Ace0wQ1BYx98VwBosOtlYrjbC3GDiy/s320/Lp-Aradhana.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065416/">Aradhana</a> is a very pleasant soundtrack! But, just when I was going to admit to finally really liking a S. D. Burman soundtrack, I found out about S. D. Burman, who was ill during the recording, who let R. D. Burman record some songs himself. The two hits "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HenA-OUyo0s">Roop Tera Mastana</a>" and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo1MykK4u8U">Mere Sapnon Ki Rani</a>" are all Burman junior, hip and young, yet all the credit "officially" goes to S. D. Burman.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjX2jC08RR_8P0FR6HHGqCJf3C7xz0YusTbX457gJ5rYbn8c656XVY0TtRx-0-j5tPwR9KxxEcJyVG-V9G-zdZbp5aYvYfw_XlSieixTdaZyDxu3jTd2aCKSA7_L7XtQ8KkXPAFJzEYjSl/s1600-h/Lp-Aradhana+(Back).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306836098151216770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjX2jC08RR_8P0FR6HHGqCJf3C7xz0YusTbX457gJ5rYbn8c656XVY0TtRx-0-j5tPwR9KxxEcJyVG-V9G-zdZbp5aYvYfw_XlSieixTdaZyDxu3jTd2aCKSA7_L7XtQ8KkXPAFJzEYjSl/s200/Lp-Aradhana+(Back).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAVJA2I0YJmA3nHZfNhgPu-nyCW-n5dpokGe8V107ejMJ51s5sVR75xAZs_xSI-Z0TK0GKdLtl1FEUyl4WKHn1ijmdDyyfCMVRbWh4CWy-wF42r1Gi5KaX-67RImR4fTPg8LXqOWsr8Nl/s1600-h/Lp-Aradhana+(Back).JPG"></a>Raju Bharatan, writer for the Hindustan Times, explains why this is: <em>"That was the norm in our films then. That, first, two songs of a production had to be recorded -- as the launching-pad. Plus the news of such a recording had to appear as a published item in an industry-respected paper like the weekly Screen. Only after that would finance for a film flow. So it was as finance for Aradhana was set to flow that SD fell ill."</em> <span style="font-size:85%;">excerpt from </span><a href="http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2000/oct/31burman.htm"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Aradhana Syndrome</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> by Raju Bharatan (click on the title to read full article) </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The first two songs, and the only ones recorded by Burman senior, were two duets "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phsynjc73zk">Gun Guna Rahe Hain</a>" and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78JhA_TJvBI">Baghon Mein Bahar Hai</a>", who's male vocals were both sung by Mohd. Rafi. But the two hits which were also picturised on Rajesh Khanna were the memorable and my favourite songs, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HenA-OUyo0s">Roop Tera Mastana</a>" and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo1MykK4u8U">Mere Sapnon Ki Rani</a>" sung by Kishore Kumar.</div><br /><div><br />Besides this being a good record, Aradhana is also an important marker in showing the shifting of popular style in Hindi film music. This soundtrack is an exception as it includes the hit making team of Mohd. Rafi and S. D. Burman, and the future hit makers Kishore Kumar and R. D. Burman. The second who had already defined his style composing for Teesri Manzil in 1966 would surpass the firsts popularity with legendary albums as Kati Patang, Caravan and Hare Rama Hare Krishna about a year after the release of this album.<br /><br />But one track I enjoy is the trademark S. D. Burman solo "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYF9RIPNHac">Saphal Hogi Teri Aradhana</a>" Other ones are also found in classics like <em>Guide</em> in 1965 and <em>Amar Prem</em> in 1971 (although the last was composed by R. D. Burman). These songs bring a very earthy or organic feel that, takes us from the filmi illusion of life to a more and more down to earth emotional connection. I think one of S. D. Burman's fortes.</div><br /><div>A remix of "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smDKvkkoWpM&feature=PlayList&p=8639EC23C098DE83&playnext=1&index=5">Roop Tera Mastana</a>" from the 90's and 2008's "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXbkVhK1ifo&feature=related">Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte</a>" from <em>Rab</em> <em>Ne Bana Di Jodi</em> starring Sharukh Khan has the intro of "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo1MykK4u8U">Mere Sapno Ki Rani</a>" in Priety Zinta sequence.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tracks:<br /><br /></div><div><em>Side1</em></div><br /><div>1. Kishore Kumar: Roop Tera Mastana</div><div>2. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Gun Guna Rahe Hain </div><div>3. Kishore Kumar: Mere Sapnon Ki Rani</div><div>4. Mohd. Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar: Baghon Mein Bahar Hai</div><br /><br /><div><em>Side 2</em></div><div><em></em></div><div>5. Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar: Kora Kagaz Tha Yeh Man Mera</div><div>6. Lata Mangeshkar: Chanda Hai Tu Mera Suraj Hai Tu</div><div>7. S. D. Burman: Saphal Hogi Teri Aradhana</div><br /><br /><div>Lyrics: Anand Bakshi</div><br /><br /><div>Stella_1 score: <strong>3.5/5</strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong>Get the music now:</strong> S. D. Burman <a href="http://thirdfloormusic.blogspot.com/2008/05/sachin-dev-burman-aradhana-1969.html">Aradhana</a> (link to Music From the Third Floor, because my computer is broken.)</div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-74386846263186018322009-02-03T01:24:00.016-05:002009-02-04T01:20:12.045-05:00My Lucky Chance?<em>I know, I know, but I couldn’t resist, my obsession is growing up and this really feels like a turning point in the history of the Hindi film industry. And I could not resist in partaking in this glorious moment. I will only occasionally post film reviews, only when I can’t deny the temptation.</em><br /><br /><br /><p><em></em></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298568000883020242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLOT6tsvYTKljBSOFWJfutgsrlux99pTNiOC264rV7OR0KadaF9aikHT3e2BFHxySK5jkSu-ttg3FeEUgcaYrVfYiJHdeZO5omPGkaPgIkxS5sDJAOtIqzkFrL0mN0jiC9aoQtTg9ISBa/s320/Lucky1.jpg" border="0" />After a mentally challenging Hindi class (I started Chapter 3 in Snell) and a spontaneous solo birthday (I’m 22 today) celebration....um....I mean a reason to “enrich my Hindi vocabulary”, I decided to head to the theatre and check out <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0886539/">Luck by Chance</a></em> directed by Farhan Akhtar’s sister Zoya Akhtar. Even after spending 26 $ just for the ticket, a medium popcorn and drink, I didn’t waste my money and I was really really glad that I went. <em>Luck by Chance</em> is part of a new breed or cinematic genre that I feel will one day define this new age in Indian Cinema. It will not be called Bollywood, Masala or Parallel Cinema but rather, the term, Hindi Film (made in the Hindi Film Industry as Dimple Kapadia’s character so strongly insists). This film deserves some recognition for raising the bar by offering more than simple entertainment while still keeping people entertained. A great thing about this film is how it interestingly pair’s top Bollywood entertainers (Hrithik Roshan, Rishi Kapoor, Juhi Chalwa, Etc) and actors (Farhan Akhtar, Konkona Sen Sharma etc) in the same movie. The characters become more complex and interesting as the line between the two categories (entertainers and actors) delightfully shifts and blurs throughout the film. One of my favourite examples of this is the short Zaffar Khan (Hrithik Roshan) sequence when street children run up to the film stars car and he rolls up the window. The glass separates or rather isolates him from the real world. A traveling shot into the inside of his car shows him looking out of the window, we see his reflection in it and both the person and the image are in the frame. Ah! It’s so symbolic. Love it.<br /><br /><br />The main character Vikram Jaisingh (Farhan Akhtar) does not have much substance but one thing he is not, is the perfect hero. His character is a bit ordinary but that’s the whole point. He comes from Delhi (or it could have been from X, Y or Z), he wants to be an actor and, like all the other million young men who want to act in Bollywood, he is not more talented, more handsome or more qualified than anyone else. He is simply the one that won the refrigerator or, if you don’t understand that parallel, the one that became a star. This character’s “every guy” aspect is even shown visually in the film, especially when Vikram goes to his audition (and yes the color scheme is important like Nikki (Isha Sharvani) points out). Intentionally, everyone in the audition room is wearing black and they all look similar. Also, when the producer and casting director must pick a picture for the lead part all the photographs on the table look the same. Farhan’s role represents the every man trying to make it.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jzN1xapK6sA&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jzN1xapK6sA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The characters that really bread life into the film are all the film personalities. My favourites have to be Rishi Kapoor playing the very lovable Producer and Dimple Kapadia who plays a has been 70’s star and an over protective mother that you just feel like slapping she’s so good, and even then you still sympathise with her. The producer’s wife played by Juhi Chalwa is a delight to watch and Isha Sharvani as a grownup child presents herself in a corky <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211915/">Amelie Poulain</a></em> inspired "I like/ I don’t like" sequence.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298584292875207986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1F2xR3DseTl3EA0S1W6jYWa3AAKtvQu2I-tuv63tj0GlNAKpovrAZqPtRCnoqFVrLViCL2fnymq1M-FDQman9ApOq0sAL2RjDqdilHRI83ZwTo4XYnkvVM0fA5MI8HcfixYLQ8CXeXuR/s320/Untitled.jpg" border="0" />The two actors Sona (one of my favourite actresses Konkona Sen Sharma) and the cute Abhi (Arjun Mathur) carry the emotional charge of the film. Sona, Vikram’s girlfriend, tries to deal with her crushed dreams and her complicated relationship with Vikram. Abhi, on the other hand, is well settled and concentrates more on the art of acting than becoming a Bollywood star. Abhi is more talented than Vikram and does not approve of “the system” or the pre-packaged “Bollywood Bootcamp” (acting school, dance, martial arts, and cheesy photo session) which Vikram abides too.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298570175629152674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pdZktWTGwhqAVERiZViizkgTfKuGiNXtsRLCkyO3meMiZsYL1ESK3ctSrmJCCP8tQqC1yjdmAOakXKzfqCDHdmVw53iluprouqEsrNNsrMorcMtFN5GRC4ccnByRKJifS0Qu_h8vBnTm/s320/Lucky.jpg" border="0" /> You also have guest appearances and an almost endless list of cameos. Like, Aamir Khan, Mac Mohan, Anurag Kashyap and Saurabh Shukla . SRK shows up for an indispensable “moment of truth” to guide our poor Vikram. Continuing, you have Rani Mukerjee, Karan Johar, Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Rajkumar Hirani, Boman Irani, Manish Malhotra, Abhishek Bachchan, Vivek Oberoi, Ranbir Kapoor, John Abraham, Kareena Kapoor and Akshaye Khanna. But one person to profit from all the success is actually the film coach, character actor Saurabh Shukla, as he also appears in Danny Boyle’s <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1010048/">Slumdog Millionaire</a></em> as the assistant police investigator.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298583680649479938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowK_20gnOz06feOZnu6Z_gfs3Sch5qOw3FgFDCHRryltQo2erQmERyY3go-ORtLGNTFxFP5U9cqdtZ8z1mk3S5Iv-KiHMl7LfAjWyvpLndGVTItJhzIKE6c_JZ1TDTfvBp6D2Tv_MqEjM/s320/rishi.jpg" border="0" /> <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1024943/">Om Shanti Om</a></em> pays homage to the film industry and <em>Luck by Chance</em> does that too with Hrithik Roshan’s colourful dance sequence that reminds me of a mix between the <a href="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/">Cirque du Soleil</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066070/"><em>Mera Naam</em> <em>Joker</em></a> and <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367594/">Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</a></em> , or one of the first scenes in the film with Aamir Khan who refers to his love interest as Kamla Devi who in actuallity is the founder of the National School of Drama. But mainly the film shows the reality of the behind the scenes. Although nothing shocking is announced, they're is just a confirmation of what everyone has already heard about. Like the casting couch or the gossip and media controversies. It deglamorises the whole Hindi Film industry, and that is maybe one reason why some people might not like the film. If you want escapism, watch Bollywood, not <em>Luck by Chance</em>.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298583965289297490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 135px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbHKSjxBaahuHOu1AOx8OBrIwLgH4HDSXzvoi6pe3AsrovgAzumB96fBrR_c_ol6nMJ58vdBYgtYgCaK6w_bq8NQK-Ci9CiPwTPjsuKCPKJqM2-r_vQjYgGzNYb-rS5ktiwC1aWlsWk0y/s320/luck.jpg" border="0" /><br />This is looking like it’s going to be an amazing year for the Hindi film industry. Up next is <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1327035/"><em>Dev. D</em> </a>(feb. 8th) starring Abhay Deol, <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1230448/">Ballu Barber</a></em> (feb. 13th) starring Irrfan Khan and Laura Dutt + amazing Shahrukh Khan item numbers and <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1043451/">Delhi 6</a></em> starring Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor with music by A. R. Rahman (feb. 20th). I am going to see them all, but don’t count on me paying for 12$ popcorn every time.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://filmi-girl.livejournal.com/170818.html">Filmi Girl</a> and <a href="http://p-pcc.blogspot.com/2009/02/luck-by-chance-2009.html">Post Punk Cinema Club</a> have already shared their thoughts on the film. I encourage you to go see <em>Luck by Chance</em> as there are different elements catered to everyone's tastes, so the whole family can enjoy.Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-83971739042378778832009-01-26T16:27:00.005-05:002009-01-27T02:38:39.592-05:00Naushad: Mela (1948/1980)<div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279949412101748258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6kXRpboGYwYlvqYaFUgOPflJeJIlv5H4Z29XEPSdf04VE5QWn26JPndobNlXYX36Le51nWZlAVXCsMXRPTHUMQQCuVyclQgOSMKmv_EFyM4IeefbFDTmbkX3SFqAuVMkKq-csjXLA6tJ/s320/Lp-Mela.JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137947/">Mela</a>'s soundtrack creates a great mood inspired by romanticism, a certain "attractive despair", as I could name it, that is characteristic of a time in Hindi cinema, (and as far as I know maybe to other Indian cinemas as well) called the 40's. But this being 1948, I could also blame this "depression" on<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgBOJLbGzDDpOvtm-ICV2_31iIKw6eBECP4R5Ex4sVUk4X95jFLauC_fzNEBO28djEVSjjHedTsRrMZNFp4SMVDEj_CrrVTrUzcHVAlf7ZGL3QtXP0qjDjztqx8st9KI_cnb8Q7GXbBpx/s1600-h/DSCF1886.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285130444358657650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgBOJLbGzDDpOvtm-ICV2_31iIKw6eBECP4R5Ex4sVUk4X95jFLauC_fzNEBO28djEVSjjHedTsRrMZNFp4SMVDEj_CrrVTrUzcHVAlf7ZGL3QtXP0qjDjztqx8st9KI_cnb8Q7GXbBpx/s200/DSCF1886.JPG" border="0" /></a> a certain, um, let me think...Partition. I think it's a mix of both the melancholy of the country's separation mirrored in the lover's separation that set the tone of the film and it's music. Also, the film visually looks like a filmed play as the director uses theatre to show the insignificance of the backdrop and the importance on concentrating more on the emotions and the characters (which Naushad picked up on and developed in his music). Also, I think, in those days, theatre had more prestige then cinema and early in the development of the film industry the only reference for cinema was theatre. Bizarrely enough, this does not take away from the realism, not portrayed visually but musically (emotionally as well) of the two main heroes Manju (Nargis) and Mohan (Dilip Kumar).<br /><br />The 40's was the heyday of the "sad song". Not the kind you feel like skipping or fast forwarding, but the kind that people actually liked, and still like even today. One brilliant song "<a href="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=ssBQHJXYsns">Gh</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8ZqHX3SIq-VBh9ybGoYTH4cHH13gpnUS7QReIY1zQ8lqlqCu2lQDvDQgnLCmT8Y2WjDIW3n6NLi_MSRXf9uPAIUHLULhyO0RSpZSgob-U6Adv3fDopgz3ZrTHf-vP6_h8RjsRDtOzMCR/s1600-h/Mela11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295859661694558578" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8ZqHX3SIq-VBh9ybGoYTH4cHH13gpnUS7QReIY1zQ8lqlqCu2lQDvDQgnLCmT8Y2WjDIW3n6NLi_MSRXf9uPAIUHLULhyO0RSpZSgob-U6Adv3fDopgz3ZrTHf-vP6_h8RjsRDtOzMCR/s200/Mela11.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=ssBQHJXYsns">am Ka Fasana</a>" is one of the finest examples of a great "sad song", and it is also my favorite track on the record. Naushad could have picked the melody queen, Lata or, Geeta, the empress of tragedy, but he chose Shamshad. I think he was looking for something raw. Her voice expressed the voice of the people, like the persevering village girl that wants more than what is destined for her. Mela is a high point in her career, although Shamshad's luck did not last long, when the "classical trend" came in the early 50's, Shamshad did not have the training to stay at the top.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrxtmQYnw3BBPKqqHTTGZYlcqOICstMuADJZHXZskc0Nrh8t8F7tp-kFbsyaAIZQk2pEDzZLPtmZcafoqNOZTsuVKNhBqupUQSLJt2mRWNZ5Bw3oOQNoNwHeBX_Nx82naC2cyZmuH_u50/s1600-h/mela12.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295859829016376594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 149px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrxtmQYnw3BBPKqqHTTGZYlcqOICstMuADJZHXZskc0Nrh8t8F7tp-kFbsyaAIZQk2pEDzZLPtmZcafoqNOZTsuVKNhBqupUQSLJt2mRWNZ5Bw3oOQNoNwHeBX_Nx82naC2cyZmuH_u50/s200/mela12.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Besides the classic sad song, some of Mela's most memorable tracks are, one of Mohd. Rafi's first big breaks with the song ''<a href="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=5eUxpAuctOk&NR=1">Yeh Zindagi Ke Mele</a>'', and another one of my favourites ''<a href="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=p2v95P3AI30">Aai Sawan Rut </a>''. For the track ''<a href="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=M36YP-Sqmqg&feature=related">Phir Aah Dilse Nikli</a>'' you can almost imagine that you are sitting in a zeenat during the very late reign of the Mungals. (Well, at least that is what I imagined the vocals would have sounded like.)</div><a href="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=p2v95P3AI30"><div><br /></a><br />Some other tracks I enjoy are the playful ''<a href="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=IK8IIEBCloE&feature=related">Pardes Balam Tum Jaoge</a>'' and the duet ''<a href="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=sH-I7BG6Qcc&feature=related">Mera Dil Todnewale</a>''. In the second one I mentioned, you can really hear the Talat Mehmood influence for sure, who was the usual voice of Dilip Kumar. He's not singing for Raj Kapoor that's for sure.</div><div><br />Overall good soundtrack, resembles Babul (<a href="http://partiessareesandmelodies.blogspot.com/2008/02/naushad-babul-19501982.html">my post</a>) but let's Shamshad really shine trough. Inspired by emotion and the northern sound this album can seem dull on the first try, but the more you listen the better it gets. Enjoy!</div><p><br /><br />Tracks:<br /></p><div><div><em>Side 1</em></div><br /><div>1. Shamshad Begum: Dharti Ko Aakash Pukare</div><div>2. Shamshad Begum & Mukesh: Main Bhanwra Too Hai Phool</div><div>3. Shamshad Begum, Mukesh & Chorus: Aai Sawan Rut</div><div>4. Shamshad Begum: Gham Ka Fasana</div><div>5. Shamshad Begum: Taqdeer Bani Bankar Bigdi</div><div>6. Zohra Ambala: Phir Aah Dilse Nikli</div><br /><br /><div><em>Side 2</em><br /><br />7. Shamshad Begum: Mohan Ki Muraliya</div><div>8. Shamshad Begum: Pardes Balam Tum Jaoge</div><div>9. Shamshad Begum & Mukesh: Mera Dil Todnewale</div><div>10. Mohd. Rafi: Yeh Zindagi Ke Mele</div><div>11. Mukesh: Gae Ja Geet Milanke</div>12. Music<br /><br /><br /><div>Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni</div><br /><div>Stella_1's score: 3.5/5</div><br /><div>Get the music now: Naushad <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?zdzwlewjztz">Mela</a></div></div></div></div></div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-1495516749752819242009-01-25T14:31:00.004-05:002009-01-26T14:55:27.420-05:00Books on Indian Film: Part 2 - Filmi Music (1)<strong>Intro<br /><br /></strong>The books in "Part 2" of this series focus more on the soundtracks of films than the films themselves. But film music, in my opinion, is just as important in analysing and studying cinema, especially Indian cinema moslty because that specific cinema gives much space to music.<br /><br />That said, these books only focus on Hindi film music, and not all filmi music from across India. (Maybe I should write that book one day!)<br /><br /><br /><strong>A little history<br /></strong><br />The tradition of filmi music seems to have started before cinema even existed, as musicians and vocalists would serve the same purpose as in films today, but in theatre. Most of this "theatre music" is lost principally because it was not recorded (no recording technology) or was later recorded but no copy has survived. The term Indian Film Music or "<em>Hindustani Cine Sangeet</em>" was first used by Raju Bharathan. This new type of music, born with the art of "Talkies" or films with sound*, could only be heard on Radio Ceylon because All India Radio would only play classical music. With the gaining popularity of films and their music, slowly but surely filmi music got its place on the airwaves and became, what I think, the music of the people.<br /><br /><br />* I would like to add that a study on filmi music should start (both books I read start with the 30's) with recorded music for plays and continuing to music played for silent films. It would be interesting to hear what was done at the beginning of the merging of the two art forms, cinema and music.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Book 3: Bollywood Melodies: A History of the Hindi Film Song (2008)</strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SP1X04WPYPDwbjBtogOLW9TPO-45MAQIjdos-Oxr95_vfYM67Oq8IuG4DYAJtn3YT7c7FDTANx2Ey1I7WOQfFSjU8mhI2rzX_mWfD0WvgBWxyhheWhiChoPHeUvqH1mRc8Yvwj00uF7m/s1600-h/Lata2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295689328985636786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 152px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SP1X04WPYPDwbjBtogOLW9TPO-45MAQIjdos-Oxr95_vfYM67Oq8IuG4DYAJtn3YT7c7FDTANx2Ey1I7WOQfFSjU8mhI2rzX_mWfD0WvgBWxyhheWhiChoPHeUvqH1mRc8Yvwj00uF7m/s200/Lata2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Do Lata, Asha, Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar or Mukesh ring a bell? Or, maybe, Laxmikant Pyarelal, R. D. Burman, Kalyandji Anandji, Shankar Jaikishan or C. Ramchandra? Well if none do, then I strongly suggest that you familiarise yourself with these wonderful talents. <em><strong>Bollywood Melodies: A History of the Hindi Film Song</strong></em> is just what a curious filmi fan needs to familiarise his or herself with the different people who made film music legendary. It is written by self proclaimed filmi music buff Ganesh Anantharaman (yet, before writing the book he had never listened to any other Naushad soundtrack besides <em>Mughal-E-Azam</em> and <em>Baiju Bawra</em>?) who specifically wanted to write about music from the 50's and 60's but his editor convinced him to broaden his horizon. After doing some extensive research he discovered many other talented people like Saigal and Naushad Ali (Naushad is not overlooked on this blog anyway!). I wrote a list of all the personalities you can find in the book at the bottom of the page.<br /><br /><br />The book is called <em><strong>Bollywood Melodies: A History of the Hindi Film Song</strong></em>, but in actuality the number of pages dedicated to history are only 18 in a book of about 250. So really what you are getting is a "brief" overview of the evolution of the Hindi film song added to short essays (about 90% of the book) each on specific singers, music directors or lyricists. In their turn, they comprise of some biography, low and high points in the specific persons career and some of their most memorable songs. There are also five interesting interviews, one of Dev Anand, Pyarelal, Gulzar, Manna Dey and Lata Mangeshkar (the last to which he lied to get the interview. Oh my!). But besides those first pages in the book most of the history of the Hindi film song is found in the people from all different eras.<br /><br /><br />But since musical taste differs from one person to the other, and in the book a singer’s best song is ultimately either one of the author’s favourites or a classic that many people appreciate. Anantharaman tries his best to stay objective and please everyone by not insulting anyone but always lets a few of his thoughts slide trough (e. g. his favourite music director is S. D. Burman or he finds “<em>Choli Ke Piche</em>” from <em>Khal Nayak</em> (1993) lyrics repulsive).<br /><br /><br />Also, like me, the author is a fan of older soundtracks (50’s and 60’s). Sadly, this affects the content somewhat when he pushes aside music from the 1970's, but mostly the 1980's and beyond, because it is seemingly invalid. The name of the section about film music of the 70's is called "<em>When music becomes secondary</em>" and do I agree? Yes and No. Personally, I think, that in those days it did not become secondary but rather detached from the film. Because, as we see in some cases, especially in films starring Amitabh Bachchan, there is no need of good music in films (from a financial perspective, anyway). But on the other hand some films succeeded on most part because of the songs. Other than the bollywood start system talking over, I think that the past “clans” (or teams) e.g. Naushad-M. Khan, R. K. Films -Shankar Jaikishan-Lata-Mukesh or Dev Anand-S. D. Burman were either no longer existent or changing. This made music more independent of the film it was being composed for.<br /><br /><br />Bizarrely, the cover of this book resembles very much a book on the same subject yet more expensive and rare called <em>Hindi Film Songs and the Cinema</em> written a year earlier by Anna Morcom (I really want to get my hands on that one! Also to compare, the cover picture is beside the book I am presently reviewing).<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbG-mno0ku57Fy6GtRiyLkwRccNv9Ktel5DnlwxHToj0NuADXH5qJlMrHlejbA5c-vwi1PH4BRnheQAD5s4GA-VHQtVoLNFXKBbLzBxRoNCd3ffEC74SISRqLin2EWLTLsoMvjvhY9al0u/s1600-h/bollywood_melodies_a_history_of_the_hindi_film_idk286.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295500536313919138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbG-mno0ku57Fy6GtRiyLkwRccNv9Ktel5DnlwxHToj0NuADXH5qJlMrHlejbA5c-vwi1PH4BRnheQAD5s4GA-VHQtVoLNFXKBbLzBxRoNCd3ffEC74SISRqLin2EWLTLsoMvjvhY9al0u/s320/bollywood_melodies_a_history_of_the_hindi_film_idk286.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiinvT4ug67xnCJ6RQTr4hA9uLXxEuDPHNQn6HoPjF3XJxZrhVsoxfrjA2rbVGJBf6kZlsiqHLvKTBpPCrd4beSxKXHBjvPnm6C-eSFdhtKCTdkbhIxYI2HIGxSgmhiZkoM-hJXpkQ6KD4/s1600-h/large_snazal_com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295500815151895698" style="WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiinvT4ug67xnCJ6RQTr4hA9uLXxEuDPHNQn6HoPjF3XJxZrhVsoxfrjA2rbVGJBf6kZlsiqHLvKTBpPCrd4beSxKXHBjvPnm6C-eSFdhtKCTdkbhIxYI2HIGxSgmhiZkoM-hJXpkQ6KD4/s320/large_snazal_com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Pictures - the same picture of Meena Kumari in <em>Pakeezah</em> (1972) on Ganesh Anantharaman's book (2008) and Anna Morcom's (2007)<br /><br /><br /><strong>Upside</strong><br /><br /><br />He is one of the few to write about hindi film music, and one of the very few to write about filmi lyricist. They deserve more recongrition. (I'm starting to understand, now that I'm learning Hindi).<br /><br /><p>The book is easy to read, as he writes in a laid back manner. </p>Interesting interviews and insight on many different personalities.<br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Downside</strong><br /><br /><p>The book is aimed at an indian public and if you don't understand hindi (it is atleast written in roman script) then you will have trouble apreciating the book.</p><p align="left">The book is for begginnier's but not for the total ingnorant, because you need to have enough filmi knowledge to know what songs he is refering too. So, I wish all books on the subject of filmi music would have a CD or tracks you can download that play in the order in which they are mentionned, so when the author name's a tune, you can hear it right away. (But in the meantime, thank god for Youtube).While reading the book I felt very "handicapped" because I cannot understand Hindi/Urdu, and it truly took away from me fully understanding what he was trying to demonstrate or prove in the text.<br /></p><p align="left">-----------------------------------------<br /><br />To list all the people mentioned in the book:<br /><br /><strong>Music Directors:</strong>Pankaj Mullik, Khemchand, Anil Biwas, Naushad Ali, C. Ramchandra, Shankar Jaikishan, S. D. Burman, Madan Mohan, O. P. Nayyar, Salil Choudhury, Roshan, Hemant Kumar, Ravi, Jaidev, Vasant Desai, Kalyanji Anandji, R. D. Burman, Laxmikant Pyarelal, Khayyam, Ravindra Jain, Bappi Lahiri, Rajesh Roshan, A. R. Rahman, Anand-Milind, Nadeem-Shravan, Annu Malik, Jatin-Lalit.<br /></p><strong>Lyricists:</strong> Kidar Sharma, D.N. Madhok, Pradeep, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Shakeel Badayuni, Sahir Ludhianvi, Shailendra, Kaifi Azmi, Gulzar, Anand Bakshi, Javed Akhtar.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Playback Singers:</strong> K. L. Saigal, Noorjehan, Suraiya, Shanshad Begum, Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt, Asha Bhosle, Mukesh, Talat Mehmood, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu, Anuradha Paudwal, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik.<br /><br /><br />Previous Posts (Book Series):<br /><br /><strong>History</strong><br />- <em><a href="http://partiessareesandmelodies.blogspot.com/2008/09/books-on-indian-film-part-1-or-lack-of.html">Indian Film</a></em> (1963) by Erik Barnouw and S. Krishnaswamy<br />- <em><a href="http://partiessareesandmelodies.blogspot.com/2008/09/books-on-indian-film-part-2.html">Bollywood: A History</a></em> (2006) by Mihir Bose<br /><br />Stella_1's score: 3.5/5Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-49379889591710837252009-01-21T15:37:00.001-05:002009-01-22T01:45:25.955-05:00O. P. Nayyar: Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963/1978)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW6XbloDhNpJzNWIGdclsDSBCHu3aVKiQ2qkDEIhJfDq9uYQxHa8uFNRzwI2RXAvRyOjwWoBmRx5vcCz5x_sw3nU_xzH7P6bb_3_vav-jOCpVd0HCoHT9CcTBRrB1Pf6f4zhdahowDkzj/s1600-h/Lp-Phir+Wohi+Dil+Laya+Hoon.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291533426134932834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 317px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW6XbloDhNpJzNWIGdclsDSBCHu3aVKiQ2qkDEIhJfDq9uYQxHa8uFNRzwI2RXAvRyOjwWoBmRx5vcCz5x_sw3nU_xzH7P6bb_3_vav-jOCpVd0HCoHT9CcTBRrB1Pf6f4zhdahowDkzj/s320/Lp-Phir+Wohi+Dil+Laya+Hoon.JPG" border="0" /></a> I was totally ready to praise <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057409/">Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon</a> with it's wonderful cover (Asha Parekh looks great!). And without even knowing who the composer was I put on the first track.....Ahrg! No...nahin! Not the horse trotting songs! Picture my reaction in cinematic terms. The scene starts, I've just heard the song, then there is a shot of horse hooves trotting, quick shot of O. P. Nayyar, back and forth shots, horse trotting-O. P. Nayyar, horse trotting-O. P. Nayyar, then a turning spiral superimpos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02GYxKgY41LvXShZPS67s2w_LSEvzjBJKN9V9HO9t-j475GwNvwgCIec8qFJDrhGrs3XoKCmV3QvIj0YuOmPADVwqggpsmVEoGJO_IIItshE5ER2CU5RMlr3sLA4D6r7c0FseU29QaPAc/s1600-h/Lp-Phir+Wohi+Dil+Laya+Hoon+(Back).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291533172157063602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02GYxKgY41LvXShZPS67s2w_LSEvzjBJKN9V9HO9t-j475GwNvwgCIec8qFJDrhGrs3XoKCmV3QvIj0YuOmPADVwqggpsmVEoGJO_IIItshE5ER2CU5RMlr3sLA4D6r7c0FseU29QaPAc/s200/Lp-Phir+Wohi+Dil+Laya+Hoon+(Back).JPG" border="0" /></a>ed on a spinning picture of me looking confused and demented. The album cover was a trap! And it only got worse as I realized that there is not 1, not 2, but 3 "horse trotting songs" on the same record. Didn't I just mention in my last post that Nayyar needed to crank up the originality button. If some people couldn't hear the constant auto-copying last time (<a href="http://partiessareesandmelodies.blogspot.com/2008/12/o-p-nayyar-kashmir-ki-kali-1964.html">Kashmir Ki Kali</a> or <a href="http://partiessareesandmelodies.blogspot.com/2008/06/o-p-nayyar-kismat-1968.html">Kismat</a>), this record is certainly proof of it. If some people don't know what type of song I am talking about, a standard O. P. Nayyar soundtrack has at least 1 song with a beat that resembles the sound of a horse trotting. Too name a few examples, you have <em>Naya Daur</em>'s "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix8L9MvruAo">Maang Ke Saath Tumhara</a>" or "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdoxXfXs6vU">Piya Piya Mora Jiya Pukare</a>" from 1955's <em>Baap Re Baap</em> " and then the less evident "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beqTRIpoos8">Deewana Hua Badal</a>" from <em>Kashmir Ki Kali</em> or "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDde20twQ_o">Dekho Kasam Se Kehte Hain</a>" from <em>Tumsa Nahin Dekha</em>, and I could go on.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Anyway, on this record the three "horse trotting songs" consist of the title track "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLIVVY39bIg">Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon</a>", "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mHdOLSTOuY">Ankhon Se Jo Utri Hai Dil Men</a>" (the beat is used more subtly since it's played on the guitar) and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM5BzE6REq0">Lakhon Hain</a>".<br /><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsSl0oaalxXWf2bVOR_PZqvNE-_CJW-ZAnP4fErvyEm_k_cxDMRykAGjUPREfmEyNx7W0G7rWSeqqG93dNzaK9tUgFQa80q-c77WOHJG4mu2ctkDx9HIym4RWSwdob7xN0-ayKyWYKkVs/s1600-h/vlcsnap-35944.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293848498910138402" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsSl0oaalxXWf2bVOR_PZqvNE-_CJW-ZAnP4fErvyEm_k_cxDMRykAGjUPREfmEyNx7W0G7rWSeqqG93dNzaK9tUgFQa80q-c77WOHJG4mu2ctkDx9HIym4RWSwdob7xN0-ayKyWYKkVs/s200/vlcsnap-35944.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div>My favorite song has to be "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8THTVSTC2Cg">Dekho Bijli Dole Bin Badal Ki</a>" probably because it is inspired by classical music, but I also think that I have a weakness for dance battles especially in Indian movies (e.g. Vijayantymala Vs unknown in <em>Amrapali</em>, Vijayantimala vs Helen in <em>Prince</em> or Padmini vs Vijayanthimala in the tamil film <em>Raj Tilak</em>). Also, even though I like classical music I also enjoy O. P. Nayyar's Punjabi inspired songs, which in this specific film is shown in "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORwa2Tu4j8c">Aji Kibla</a>".<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEuaoOOSnKUyDbOTuL4AxSRnjLNifBZ9Kz9kUbMn_-3NiJqez1tfwWX_HLZzCYwPuY9BYq3nTRZDH6cgIbVAIxtFbTKhViljcvP-ovCc6L5j8t05qecaYDDMw5cQMz5O9Iuc8SSNGbQdN/s1600-h/vlcsnap-32864.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293848691650384322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEuaoOOSnKUyDbOTuL4AxSRnjLNifBZ9Kz9kUbMn_-3NiJqez1tfwWX_HLZzCYwPuY9BYq3nTRZDH6cgIbVAIxtFbTKhViljcvP-ovCc6L5j8t05qecaYDDMw5cQMz5O9Iuc8SSNGbQdN/s200/vlcsnap-32864.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I would simply like to end this post by saying that my intentions are not to bash O. P. Nayyar, I even applaud him for having succeeded in the film industry without having musical training or using the instant success magnet Lata Mangeshkar. I also applaud him, for his courage to be different and original at the beginning of his career and not following the latest craze, but making one instead. But as I once said, there is missing something, especially at the stage in his career of Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon. The folk songs seem to be fuller but most of the time you can almost listen to this album and not even know when the songs change from one to the other because the mood and style do not vary much through the record. And as I have said before, I still find that his music becomes more and more unoriginal as time passes, especially after listening to more and more of his work. But even with that said, I cannot say that this is a bad soundtrack, just an unimaginative one. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Thanks and Enjoy!<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Both screencaps are from<a href="http://apnieastindiacompany.blogspot.com/2008/06/phir-wohi-dil-laya-hoon.html"> Apni East India Company</a></span><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>Track:</div><div></div><div></div><em>Side 1</em><br /><div>1. Mohd. Rafi: Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon</div><div>2. Asha Bhosle: Dekho Bijli Dole Bin Badal Ki</div><div>3. Mohd. Rafi: Anchal Men Saja Lena</div><div>4. Asha Bhosle: Ankhon Se Jo Utri Hai Dil Men</div><div>5. Asha Bhosle: Mujhe Pyar Men</div><br /><div><br /><em>Side 2</em><br />6. Mohd Rafi: Lakhon Hain</div><div>7. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Zulf Ki Chhaon</div><div>8. Mohd. Rafi: Aji Kibla</div><div>9. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Hamdam Mere</div><div><br /></div><div>Lyrics: Majrooh</div><br /><br /><div>Stella_1's score: 3/5</div><div><br /></div><div>Get the Music now: O. P. Nayyar <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?iwttmmy3tnz">Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon</a></div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-82652743918889553292009-01-14T13:33:00.017-05:002009-01-19T03:45:52.861-05:00Bhupen Hazarika: Aarop (1973)<p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291532800872319058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 317px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0nZSMsGdZ_qQun-lNg8Rmv_aDUHc99tv8IsWwRGoKNNhoLI9m0stJurcoOxThNjnpKAmxODPg0bwL2G9VNYH9BYwr2GB68ovz9wyQgEMw4uTVY3CIj9d8Y5b1aw34o2OHsBCcgWOxjVX/s320/Lp-Aarop.JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0154108/">Aarop</a> is my first taste of Bhupen Hazaika's music and, as far as I can tell, this soundtrack is distinctly 70's yet the music has a very organic feel. The closest I can compare it to is Ananda Shankar's <em>Sa Re Ga Machan</em> album (you can get a track on <a href="http://sitardream.blogspot.com/2007/09/ananda-shankar-sa-re-ga-machan.html">eastern eye</a>), yet this one is a lot less experimental and more filmi. This "organic feel" is mostly caused by Hazaika's choice of instruments. Even though most songs have the classic high pitch violin intros, most of the time a light mix of classical and western instruments added to the sweetest melodies which are often played on the flute, are accompanied by some traditional folk instruments. The singers all have very good classical background, especially Manna Dey and Lakshmi Shankar, but you won't hear pure classical music on the record. Basically, this album has great vocals with music that has hints of earthy/indian/filmi/classical/western/folk music etc. Yeah, I know it's a mix of a lot of things, and weirdly enough, except for the last song, each category is so diluted by one or the other, that it creates a united feeling yet at the same time creates one that points in no particular direction. </p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJRnsz2u_bpjHPLCluT7mG108iYjNB2Ar_Ib2B9FzmInk3DPZ4e62gZ8LjOy2RWgq79TZZ83efyt3dwJzzMOQz4RsUDD7iraiSvjcZ8EN5fOnPF1EkN4wX2x_-2PSGfvXmhZlsW1_3dW2/s1600-h/Lp-Aarop+(Back).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291532949823771234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJRnsz2u_bpjHPLCluT7mG108iYjNB2Ar_Ib2B9FzmInk3DPZ4e62gZ8LjOy2RWgq79TZZ83efyt3dwJzzMOQz4RsUDD7iraiSvjcZ8EN5fOnPF1EkN4wX2x_-2PSGfvXmhZlsW1_3dW2/s200/Lp-Aarop+(Back).JPG" border="0" /></a> I would never have guessed that my favourite song on the album, "Jab Se Too Ne Bansi Bajayi Re",was sung by a 47 year old woman. Lakshmi Shankar is a trained classical singer with a lovely youthful voice that portrays, in the song, innocents and a feeling of loss and hope at the same time. I love it.<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4544gZQ6PP0">Nainon Men Darpan Hai</a>'' is the only song I could find the video for. It is probably the most popular as it is sung by top playback singers Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. But I find it very ordinary and moulded to be very filmi. Deja Vu or in this case Deja Entendu. Yawn.<br /><br /><br /><br />The album ends with a totally R. D. Burman sounding cabaret number that seems a little out of place compared to the rest of the record. I feel as if the composer just wrote it because the film format, especially of the 70's, demanded a sexy upbeat track for the vamp. In this case, the song called "Sub Kuchh Mila Too Na Mila" is sung by no other than Asha Bhosle and, judging by the back cover, is picturised on Bindu.<br /><br /><br />Even though no specific songs, except "Jab Se Too Ne Bansi Bajayi Re" really capture my attention, the whole soundtrack is well constructed and I feel connected to the overall sound. It's kind of like I know what he's going for, and he's almost there but not quite. Also, I find Hazarika used each singer to his advantage, Lata and Kumar for the popular tune, Asha for the cabaret, Manna Dey to sing for the mature hero and Lakshmi Shankar, somewhat underused, for the simple melody. He knew what each singer could do best.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><br />For more info on Bhupen Hazarika (he's coming out with a new album) here is a link to a <a href="http://www.bhupenhazarika-news.blogspot.com/">fan blog</a> and to <a href="http://bhupenhazarika.com/bio/index.php">his web site</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br />Tracks<br /><br /><br /><em>Side 1</em><br /><br /><br />1. Manna Dey: O Phoolon Ke Desh Wali<br />2. Manna Dey: Haath Mere Hai Madhu Ka Pyala<br />3. Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar: Nainon Men Darpan Hai<br />4. Asha Bhosle: Chale Aao<br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Side 2</em><br /><br /><br />5. Manna Dey: Toot Gaya Mera Sapna Suhana<br />6. Bhupen Hazarika & K. N. Sharma: Hey Jai Yashoda Nandan<br />7. Lakshmi Shankar: Jab Se Too Ne Bansi Bajayi Re<br />8. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Sub Kuchh Mila Too Na Mila<br /><br /><br /><br />Lyrics: Maya Govind<br /><br /><br /><br />Stella_1's score: 3.5/5<br /><br /><br /><br />Get the music now: Bhupen Hazarika <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?uq1q0eynjjn">Aarop</a>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-11046162669200569322009-01-11T06:20:00.004-05:002009-01-13T01:16:37.570-05:00O. P. Nayyar: Kashmir Ki Kali (1964)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285399504951744066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytWbxQ8HoMl3slm87GkKgVedLh4X5rH1rxhboUtgh2cMjZR6qAOBTSrtyYSf39woS3z4b6wsyCARoN2dbSdlJ-X7Pw25Nd8GxNCMSRkT9LLqutsnh6r3YK-gJStAaKuNikeXViUizQIf2/s320/Lp-Kashmir+Ki+Kali.JPG" border="0" />The film, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058257/">Kashmir Ki Kali</a> , introduced Sharmila Tagore to Hindi cinema (she is of course Bengali, and is a distant relative of the TAGORE. Previously, she acted in two Satyajit Ray films, <em>World of</em> <em>Apu</em> (1959) and <em>Devi</em> (1960)) co-starring with an always charming and overly expressive Shammi Kapoor. Even though the film is set in Kashmir, generally for many films, O. P. Nayyar, who is Bengali (Jan. 12th Correction who is Punjabi), focuses on Punjabi folk which I consider to be Nayyar's forte (strength).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSw6aOZgLLa9byGRXm_z75lgEf4OwXYgeYKHp_qMRn0_IL1IrKeT8Bnvqdr2dT-kTM9yXx2pZT5wEpOdbR0RoVUwyeE3jR7UVjvpgJ50YErE65J4w00UAN6pNEAUFttOcIcNFSi_EeoXUG/s1600-h/Lp-Kashmir+Ki+Kali+(Back).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285399819472624450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 197px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSw6aOZgLLa9byGRXm_z75lgEf4OwXYgeYKHp_qMRn0_IL1IrKeT8Bnvqdr2dT-kTM9yXx2pZT5wEpOdbR0RoVUwyeE3jR7UVjvpgJ50YErE65J4w00UAN6pNEAUFttOcIcNFSi_EeoXUG/s200/Lp-Kashmir+Ki+Kali+(Back).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The film was a big hit and the soundtrack as well, but I truly think that it was Shammi Kapoor's persona, more than O. P. Nayyar's songs, that helped sell records. Because I find the music not bad, just uninspired.<br /><br /><br /><br />Two tracks which I enjoy are, firstly, my favorite, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjrrQUqb7-Q">Subhan Allah Haseen Chehra</a>" with Rafi's wonderful voice on the most melodious song on the record, accompaning some folk instuments and harmonium. Secondly, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDq5ifSstQc">Meri Jan Bale Bale</a>", (love "Punjabi Shammi" ! My hea<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk53ZHmR8BT9dki9UHOseaMXbSFzHSXLv5TpE7jTRKBq4ydWiz1xdkfTcrA-KAAT_3d8UoGeme5Zgwwe0HEfLzxqIi9xbbQitm9KMwbjZo4os_4EHmL7YZ4Ir4EiXiLzRtf4UPZedibnlY/s1600-h/BOPO-138.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289993291305138626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk53ZHmR8BT9dki9UHOseaMXbSFzHSXLv5TpE7jTRKBq4ydWiz1xdkfTcrA-KAAT_3d8UoGeme5Zgwwe0HEfLzxqIi9xbbQitm9KMwbjZo4os_4EHmL7YZ4Ir4EiXiLzRtf4UPZedibnlY/s320/BOPO-138.jpg" border="0" /></a>rt goes oy! oy! bale bale!) is a great song but Asha's voice isn't Punjabi sounding at all (Shamshad or Noor Jehan would have been better) and is missing a little authenticity. Though Mohd. Rafi is not "authentic" compared to let's say Gurdas Mann, but he seems to get away with it more easily.<br /><br /><br />I also enjoy, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beqTRIpoos8">Diwana Hua Baadal</a>"but honestly I am not impressed with this album. Maybe my hopes where too high, but I am beginning to become too familiar wit<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFL7sI3js36eJc9vMknoqvH1lw8mqD0kGbbBknenIH7nuLYmfIRGFbzpbZwpqa7YK9Twpp4i8iPHgxYBzOmMIjjiqyuBEiT0y0IEosIeES8FWIoCYePVtnAa3ormfGgKwZXa3XE__ObkYW/s1600-h/BOPO-138.jpg"></a>h O. P. Nayyar's work, and the more I listen too his soundtracks, the more it's all sounding the same. It sounds as if Nayyar would say: "I'm cool. I am the highest paid music director. I sound western and rebellious. Come targeted urban youth! Want to rock'n'roll?". Ah, but this type of music would later become either a musical and creative trap for O. P. Nayyar (or a way to make easy money in the film music industry by duplicating his own style, either way it's starting to get to me. I mean, give me Naushad or give me R. D. Burman, but not the squeaky clean somewhat repetitive attempt to be different. C. Ramchandra was western before him and Shankar Jaikishan could imitate Nayyar better than he could imitate himself with rock'n'roll songs (e.g. Gumnaam, Junglee) which had at least some melody. I know I'm a sucker for classical inspired albums or really wacky musical gems , but O. P. Nayyar is on the bottom in my best composers list. Ok, ok, I will stop this useless rambling, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. So I hope you enjoy the record more than I do! I encourage you too watch the film.<br /><br /><br />In the 60's there was <em>Kashmir Ki Kali</em>, now we get <em>Mission Kashmir</em>? Sad. One day peace will come and we will be singing and dancing in Kashmir once again.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Tracks:</div><br /><br /><div><em>Side 1</em></div><br /><br /><div>1. Mohd. Rafi: Taarif Karun Kya Uski</div><div>2. Mohd. Rafi: Hai Duniya Usiki Zamana Usika</div><div>3. Asha Bhosle: Phir Thes Lagi Dil Ko</div><div>4. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Meri Jan Bale Bale</div><div>5. Asha Bhosle: Balma Khuli Hawa Men</div><br /><br /><br /><div><em>Side 2</em></div><br /><br /><div>6. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Diwana Hua Baadal</div><div>7. Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle: Isharon Isharon Men Dil Lene Wale</div><div>8. Mohd. Rafi: Subhan Allah Haseen Chehra</div><div>9. Mohd. Rafi: Kahin Na Kahin Dil Lagana Padega</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Lyrics: S. H. Bihari</div><br /><br /><p>Stella_1's score: 3/5</p><br /><p>Get the music Now: O. P. Nayyar <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?wimgzlitetz">Kashmir Ki Kali</a> </p>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-33361310329897335672009-01-01T13:30:00.004-05:002009-01-01T13:51:11.230-05:00Happy New Year!Hi,<br />I know it's been a while, but don't worry I will be posting albums soon. As to celebrate the new year, and since I could not find any new year Indian videos to share, I decided to initiate some some of you to my French-Canadian roots with a song, called "Degeneration", which is a modern twist on traditional Quebecois music.<br /><br />tragedia, who posted the video writes : "I put subtitles on this music video by Québec band Mes Aïeux that is really good. It's about different generations in Quebec and what kind of life/possibilities they had. I suppose it could apply to anywhere but the transition in Quebec from Catholic backwater to liberal modernity was particularly quick and harsh. (Read up about the Quiet Revolution/Révolution Tranquille.)"<br /><br />Usually this song is played on the 24th of June (St-Jean-Baptiste day) or on New Year's Eve, and at the end of the video there is usually more music which is a musical interlude that makes everyone dances like crazy (but it's not included in the clip). Hope you like it, if you don't, don't worry I will be back to hindi soundtracks soon.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cKCRHhmHvjg&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cKCRHhmHvjg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Bonne Année!Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-10394988895199599002008-12-05T00:30:00.003-05:002008-12-15T01:55:40.280-05:00Hemant Kumar: Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam (1962/1970)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276153014247728802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyptxp0MdZFcgaKcrky4karSXcA46Qt_jqV4pzS6rwvS-e5VhFzzMTq7GSGdhTns8-NIKKCob02VRB-yyEO2agFmgN9yl4_fAgwqW8L1Uesjh6CdbxDCOwr4U5nNjPmKr_12EktSaXnE_K/s320/Lp-Sahib+Bibi+aur+Ghulam.jpg" border="0" />Basically, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056436/">Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam</a> is a classic Indian film, based on the book by Bimal Mitra. It was India's entry for the Oscars in 1963 and stars Meena Kumari (in one of her most famous roles) as a drunken rich house wife in the province of Bengal during the end of the 1800's.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifj4eH9pJ5gkvWscC4EI2bk47C_KaY_VCBuF1UJCGOyx8M_lng4836Pi3iTO9oIX0FeRMSa0E-ETDVmYBXr4zHLT-aZIq60Df1YS-BLgy5q_qApbNCIhiBBh5zbagmqFV6aTmIv0aDwSlm/s1600-h/DSCF1817.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276165123095529010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifj4eH9pJ5gkvWscC4EI2bk47C_KaY_VCBuF1UJCGOyx8M_lng4836Pi3iTO9oIX0FeRMSa0E-ETDVmYBXr4zHLT-aZIq60Df1YS-BLgy5q_qApbNCIhiBBh5zbagmqFV6aTmIv0aDwSlm/s200/DSCF1817.JPG" border="0" /></a> Initially, I got this album for two songs. The first, and my favorite, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoCZJqHeJMk&feature=related">Piya Aiso Jiya Men</a>" is simply a classic Geeta Dutt song that I love. The second is "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlw1HMNy_as&feature=related">Sakhiya Aaj Mujhe Neend Nahi Aayegi</a>", beautifully sung by Asha Bhosle and wonderfully picturised by Guru Dutt on the lovely Meenu Mumtaz (Minoo Mumtaz).<br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><p>But after listening to the album for a while, I slowly fell in love with the song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN0vAfXcOMU">Meri Baat Rahi Mere Man Me</a>".</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMpZ5ic4wUZowRKFzytwdhmcRSDqgQAIJI4180BcSbSml5J4uE-XqYozlwzo2muLYqAJczSqPCxnWXEat5eZ8QPW73BLrJFpUQtBjPMwxa9vprVY1jEljnjQjbt77QjIWqqo9iF4IIf2u/s1600-h/SBG1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276165448491398098" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMpZ5ic4wUZowRKFzytwdhmcRSDqgQAIJI4180BcSbSml5J4uE-XqYozlwzo2muLYqAJczSqPCxnWXEat5eZ8QPW73BLrJFpUQtBjPMwxa9vprVY1jEljnjQjbt77QjIWqqo9iF4IIf2u/s200/SBG1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>It's always a pleasure to hear Geeta Dutt, and on the record you sadly don't get her vocal intro to the song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-o-VDki0Ss&NR=1">Chale Aao, Chale Aao</a>" which is in the film (and can be heard in the clip). But<strong> </strong>Geeta Dutt was most famous for the song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7sADAXyI-M">Piya Aiso Jiya Men</a>", as the caracter heartbreakingly calls out to her neglecting husband. </p></div>I also enjoy the playful "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSjsC__VbBg">Bhanwara Bada Nadan</a>" picturised on <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRfFlpuTmVs-vPf5SynPdU6BYbUBVxjPopJnyuHIB8wBCfJ6qzUwvYWpot4qSSNq8KJTcO5lHCsTqvvUG201ScRS5pnp4AZvfMswvtjOrorAO36ZbMYH7zOEX4gVYNLHZgJlAOHB0oUmd/s1600-h/sbg3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276165963483266642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRfFlpuTmVs-vPf5SynPdU6BYbUBVxjPopJnyuHIB8wBCfJ6qzUwvYWpot4qSSNq8KJTcO5lHCsTqvvUG201ScRS5pnp4AZvfMswvtjOrorAO36ZbMYH7zOEX4gVYNLHZgJlAOHB0oUmd/s200/sbg3.jpg" border="0" /></a>Waheeda Rehman. But every song on the album has its own charm and I am sure everyone would like one, at the least.<br /><br />On the back of the record the song titles are translated, so I wrote them down below each one. Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><div><em>I just learned that the film is supposed to be remade, by Rituparno Ghosh starring Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra and <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276169578287165634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk7hz-2nsG65hfXsAvVAzfY313vBXdN3PhVK3-xlXBeNn4W89fX7PERBYHkPKSLdtJf2837UuyrWSLwR3FlM4TfGB6PIod01BBbNJZVvSxjl6bTbuh5FKcVfy-sEN2iGGu-uI7Kb5iWbI/s200/wall_800x600_1.jpg" border="0" />John Abraham(I posted the poster just below.) I don't know? a classic is a classic, I wouldn't have remade it, especially with poptart actors, well it's their chance to prove that they can act, and I hope they succeed.<br /></em><br /><br /><br /><div>Tracks:</div><br /><div><em>Side 1</em></div><br /><br /><div>1. Title Music</div><div>2. Asha Bhosle: Bhanwara Bada Nadan</div><div><em>Oh! How ignorant is the wasp!</em></div><div>3. Asha Bhosle: Meri Baat Rahi Mere Man Me</div><div><em>Unexpressed remained what I wished to say </em></div><div><em>(the secret of my heart)</em></div><div>4. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Sakhiya Aaj Mujhe Neend Nahi Aayegi</div><div><em>Thou dispenser of wine, tonight sleep will forsake me</em></div><br /><br /><br /><div><em>Side 2</em></div><br /><br /><div>5. Geeta Dutt: Chale Aao, Chale Aao</div><em>Come to me, come to me<br /></em><div>6. Asha Bhosle: Meri Jaan O Meri Jaan</div><em>(Thou art) my life, my life, do not torment me so<br /></em><div>7. Geeta Dutt: Piya Aiso Jiya Men</div><em>Oh lover! Deep in my heart have you found a place<br /></em><div>8. Geeta Dutt: Na Jao Saiyan Chhod Ke Baiyan</div><em>Though released is your hand, do not leave me, love</em><br /><br /><br /><div>Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni</div><br /><div></div><div>Stella_1's score: <strong>4/5</strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong>Get the music now:</strong> Hemant Kumar <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?wyyiteygmw3">Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam</a></div></div></div></div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-49005728168147520642008-12-04T21:00:00.018-05:002008-12-15T02:08:28.464-05:00Usha Khanna: Hawas (1974)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7YMPPdXJHBMURF5QconRpALYSPWEHGGkjbYV_o3PyMnaa0C9xQn-P84OuBg1P1FzWpLB7hqJMPdQ2is8iNVnq4NMOdq1XmvYQwicGK6gMST3UwIXGMpUf_JjGYBhx3yMRaUtAcb40XMq/s1600-h/Lp-Hawas.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275834552952741282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7YMPPdXJHBMURF5QconRpALYSPWEHGGkjbYV_o3PyMnaa0C9xQn-P84OuBg1P1FzWpLB7hqJMPdQ2is8iNVnq4NMOdq1XmvYQwicGK6gMST3UwIXGMpUf_JjGYBhx3yMRaUtAcb40XMq/s320/Lp-Hawas.JPG" border="0" /></a>PC and I decided to post this album at the same time, on the same day. (Though I thought it was supposed to be posted at 9 pm, when it was actually 9 am, sorry). I don't know if he liked the record, but I kind of did. (To read what he thought see the post, <a href="http://thirdfloormusic.blogspot.com/2008/12/usha-khanna-hawas-1974.html">Hawas</a>)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFBU6J_xyKQgnF-Od2n6r7zgyinDQq4kO5NpHMLMzaFKlT7uOC12G19_A-8CaJFHmwTzg_BKOqFkL5u46gjmtJ59U58AyrYGB4x2mnvE7E6pSWXiRrN_tSNoIdqHKlfw8c_z0jg-18LZI/s1600-h/DSCF1882.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275835005950192642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFBU6J_xyKQgnF-Od2n6r7zgyinDQq4kO5NpHMLMzaFKlT7uOC12G19_A-8CaJFHmwTzg_BKOqFkL5u46gjmtJ59U58AyrYGB4x2mnvE7E6pSWXiRrN_tSNoIdqHKlfw8c_z0jg-18LZI/s200/DSCF1882.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0304147/">Hawas</a> creates great atmosphere. But even though it runs in the same vein as the 1973 hits Bobby and Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Hawas is less pop and a little more "soft funk". Or, at the least, it creates a more mature branch of the 1970's teen romance/dramas anyway. Also, Hawas, means "lust"in hindi, so in a sense the music has to be more mature to represent the theme and content of the film.<br /><br /><br /><br />Usha Khanna is one of the only female music directors in the Indian film industry (some others are <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0222487/">Saraswati Devi</a>, Jaddan Bai (Nargis's mother) and Ishrat Sultana). She started her career with <em>Dil Deke Dekho</em> in 1959 which was primarily based on western rock'n'roll, and as with <em>Hawas</em>, though now in the 70's, she remaines inspired by western music but certainly had evolved with the changing times.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZqYuxwtMAP6cztfGkQeccNt9xSg3RkXiH-lcDI8Q5pS6hDqiEI684mhQUlB_Gay6TnshdmuiShHKn4ydXAf9e8vQ9bMuahuEEXMB6i-51sDbnTlwbdNcEmAL3JPlWjrVsLoanDkxUW13/s1600-h/9aa1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276120905521337202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 199px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZqYuxwtMAP6cztfGkQeccNt9xSg3RkXiH-lcDI8Q5pS6hDqiEI684mhQUlB_Gay6TnshdmuiShHKn4ydXAf9e8vQ9bMuahuEEXMB6i-51sDbnTlwbdNcEmAL3JPlWjrVsLoanDkxUW13/s200/9aa1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The best songs on the record are the "vamp songs" sung by Asha Bhosle. You have "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUzLmmZKWds&feature=related">Aao Yaro Gao</a>", that has to be my favorite on the album for "semi bad girl" Rekha, and for the classic bad girl Bindu ,"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1NVDb-ja78&feature=related">Apne Dil Men Jagah Dijiye</a>" is ok but I actually like the intro better then the song itself.<br /><br />For the rest of the tracks, "Yeh Hawas Kya Hai" (Again, an amazing intro and great mood) is pretty good,"Teri Galiyon Men" is ok and "<a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/hawas%2B1974/video/x59mry_kal-raat-usne-hawas-1974_music">Kal Raat Usne</a>" is nothing special.<br /><br /><br /><br />And that is actually it, because there are only 5 tracks. So enjoy!<br /><br />(I added a picture of the original record cover on the left!)<br /><br /><br /><br />Tracks:<br /><br /><br /><em>Side 1</em><br /><br /><br />1. Asha Bhosle & Chorus: Aao Yaro Gao<br />2. Asha Bhosle: Yeh Hawas Kya Hai<br /><br /><br /><em>Side 2</em><br /><br /><br />3. Mohd. Rafi: Teri Galiyon Men<br />4. Asha Bhosle: Apne Dil Men Jagah Dijiye<br />5. Asha Bhosle: Kal Raat Usne<br /><br /><br /><br />Lyrics: Sawan Kumar<br /><br />Stella_1's score: <strong>3.5/5<br /></strong><br /><strong>Get the Music Now:</strong> Usha Khanna <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?yzizzmbaehz">Hawas</a>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-62334836832912535112008-11-28T03:58:00.006-05:002008-11-29T16:14:58.022-05:00Quick News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZXuAy7pVKxt5TixQtHer6m2nXI7tEdezrUVfwS3UwVmAjVTcaMAZRD5CFSKTMN9lL8zULKW7pTelNl9lAyZToBr0BMWtatX3YPJ0psknKNyFguHoTUk6oP82IZyOTGznR5m2k3M498si/s1600-h/sg021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273632883523626546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZXuAy7pVKxt5TixQtHer6m2nXI7tEdezrUVfwS3UwVmAjVTcaMAZRD5CFSKTMN9lL8zULKW7pTelNl9lAyZToBr0BMWtatX3YPJ0psknKNyFguHoTUk6oP82IZyOTGznR5m2k3M498si/s320/sg021.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hi Everyone,</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you are not only interested in Hindi soundtracks, this could be an interesting blog as well. I just wanted to tell you about my second blog "<a href="http://tamilfilmstory.blogspot.com/">Tamil Film Story</a>", I posted my first record, a classic Sivaji film story called <em>Veerapandiya Kattabomman</em>. I don't know why but for some reason there seems to be more dialogue records and story records in South Indian languages than in Hindi. I have a small collection of Tamil Film Stories as well as soundtracks, that I plan to put up once in a while.Also, I if anyone wants to join my blog network on Facebook, just click <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/blognetworks/blogpage.php?blogid=21787">here</a>.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Thanks(love that pic of Sivaji !)</div><div></div><br /><div>And I am hoping that the Mumbai terrorist attacks will stop and that nothing worse will happen in the future. Gandhi would so be mad right now, but he would know what to do. I hope people stay safe.</div><div></div><div></div><div>Stella</div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-49341452953811569002008-11-05T21:15:00.034-05:002008-11-26T02:56:33.530-05:00S. N. Tripathi: Rani Rupmati (1957/1981)<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mZ6wr8TNT8IQKLmaD_RhfzMGx1zGzrcE52w5YjdeDNhe4Y-5R9kWFz5QH0RMw4iqk02f4Ay88W6IXiLIlNPMMlUlxYDxHWFRRI6_pMtjxwhdskYYnqNeCdjDGdDaQIrxAD0mxyYgZ6T4/s1600-h/DSCF1877.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272851406897947746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mZ6wr8TNT8IQKLmaD_RhfzMGx1zGzrcE52w5YjdeDNhe4Y-5R9kWFz5QH0RMw4iqk02f4Ay88W6IXiLIlNPMMlUlxYDxHWFRRI6_pMtjxwhdskYYnqNeCdjDGdDaQIrxAD0mxyYgZ6T4/s320/DSCF1877.jpg" border="0" /></a>One word that I would use to describe <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368196/">Rani Rupmati</a> is "lovely". S. N. Tripathi's soundtrack (also his film, since he directed it) was made when classical music could be filmy music. Like Baiju Bawra, it draws on ragas like, Darbari, Sarang and Bhairavin (and no, I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to different ragas, this was just written on the record), but unlike <a href="http://partiessareesandmelodies.blogspot.com/2007/07/naushad-baiju-bawra-19521975.html">Baiju Bawra</a> the emotional discharge and content of the songs seem more dulled and the focus is based more on the melody.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AG7RDdGPxnZGjKPCn9zYAq3hBLkhk6z0wMKFRHTCPOrrESiSiNoF_NiCvYaBwYN6OT4DJ9305E9SqsjTyRBJWADx0aS4Sruk8LrWwsZO_oEM6q5K4rAV81y8lcimjOnXnvkWWu_uhq1E/s1600-h/DSCF1879.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272852373029581490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 195px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AG7RDdGPxnZGjKPCn9zYAq3hBLkhk6z0wMKFRHTCPOrrESiSiNoF_NiCvYaBwYN6OT4DJ9305E9SqsjTyRBJWADx0aS4Sruk8LrWwsZO_oEM6q5K4rAV81y8lcimjOnXnvkWWu_uhq1E/s200/DSCF1879.JPG" border="0" /></a>Rani Rupmati is set in the time of the Mughals, more precisely during the rule of Akbar. And is inspired by the true love story of Roopmati, a hindu court singer, and Baz Bahadur, a muslim sultan. Not to spoil anything, but the relationship does not end well. The music is mostly inspired by classical Hindustani music of that time. Some of Rupmati's poems still exist today and are even translated to english. Although, I do not know if any of the music on the vinyl is inspired by her music.</div><br /><br /><div>Anyway, the song,"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60KV51zzcFc&feature=related">Laut Ke Aaja Mere Meet</a>" is really great, and I guess that I am not the only one who liked it because it's sung twice, once by Mukesh and the second time by Lata Mangheskar (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3sv7R193cQ&feature=related">Lata Version</a>). I am going to have to go with Mukesh version as my favorite.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQyCPsVJSvnVji854lnwf6VMXkdmm4E4bmkZQlEfkokRjsM-YNPy1KKrwgbbN6kX7nTtX7rjs5NHIGIcAjWIbtFep9o6N8-7pRdD1jhwOEfy_C_z2D3ApJk9ZDFQWxWUuCykDZ9k_0aLE/s1600-h/bajbha4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272862313257574466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 162px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQyCPsVJSvnVji854lnwf6VMXkdmm4E4bmkZQlEfkokRjsM-YNPy1KKrwgbbN6kX7nTtX7rjs5NHIGIcAjWIbtFep9o6N8-7pRdD1jhwOEfy_C_z2D3ApJk9ZDFQWxWUuCykDZ9k_0aLE/s200/bajbha4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>My favorite song is "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQNcsfFw7_E&feature=related">Jhan Jhan Jhan Baje Payaliya</a>" and I also like the duet between Rafi and Krishna Chonkar, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOT36EhwJVU&feature=related">Baat Chalat Nai Chundari</a>".<br /><br /><br />Also like Baiju Bawra, there is a singing competition between a court singer (Manna Dey) "Udja Bhanwar" and Roopmati (Lataji) "Aaja Aaja Bhanwar" as they try and make a flower, which holds a bee, blossom and close. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L5saeQyHdA&feature=related">Here</a> is a video of both songs. </div><div> </div><div>I don't like this song much, but it take place before the battle between Rupmati's love, Baz Bahadur's army and the invading troops of Akbar. In "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unk5yX0YrVE">Itihas Agar Likhna Chaho</a>" you have Rani Rupmati getting ready for battle. Enjoy.<br /><br />Overall, I really enjoy listening to this record and I hope you do too. I haven't seen the film but it doesn't look too bad. If any has please feel free to comment. Thanks</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>Tracks</div><br /><br /><div><em>Side 1</em></div><br /><div>1. Mukesh: Laut Ke Aaja Mere Meet</div><div>2. Lata Mangeshkar: Raat Suhani Jhoome Jawani</div><div>3. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Phulbagiya Men Bulbul Bole</div><div>4. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd. Rafi: Jhan Jhan Jhan Baje Payaliya</div><div>5. Manna Dey : Udja Bhanwar-Darbari<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><em>Side 2</em></div><br /><div>6. Lata Mangeshkar: Aaja Aaja Bhanwar-Sarang</div><div>7. Lata Mangeshkar: Jeevan Ki Beena Ka Taar Bole</div><div>8. Mohd. Rafi & Krishna Chonkar: Baat Chalat Nai Chundari-Bhairavin</div><div>9. Usha Mangeshkar: Ankhon Men Surma Daal Ke</div><div>10. Usha Mangheskar & Chorus: Itihas Agar Likhna Chaho</div><div>11. Lata Mangeshkar: Laut Ke Aaja Mere Meet</div><br /><br /><div>Lyrics: Bharat Vyas</div><br /><br /><div>Stella_1's Score: <strong>3.5/5</strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong>Get the music now:</strong> S. N. Tripathi <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?3mtnmxm2znw">Rani Rupmati</a></div></div></div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-42374854684157052822008-10-30T00:43:00.034-04:002008-11-03T18:48:41.435-05:00Halloween: Becoming a Bombay Bombshell<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4uhkVanIVR2KYkg_xjKBB2Qvy9PgZl53F1Sqdu7KhXxtnsL1QxfNlqrNDuZV_y4_sNCjs_iVSMUMDivO7y9cNcX5-fgPjF5AhJBMXNzIz7IcxFm1jht0kHQ6C8asRR9FH8qwtznjK-sZ/s1600-h/kkkkkk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262850441201946162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4uhkVanIVR2KYkg_xjKBB2Qvy9PgZl53F1Sqdu7KhXxtnsL1QxfNlqrNDuZV_y4_sNCjs_iVSMUMDivO7y9cNcX5-fgPjF5AhJBMXNzIz7IcxFm1jht0kHQ6C8asRR9FH8qwtznjK-sZ/s320/kkkkkk.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Picture - Heroine of the graphic novel <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bombaby</span>: The Screen Goddess </em>by Antony <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mazzotta</span><em> </em>(You can buy it for free, <a href="http://www.slgcomic.com/Bombaby-The-Screen-Goddess_p_16-259.html">here</a>, at Slave Labour Comics)<br /><br /><br />So....basically, my costume this Halloween is of a Bombay Starlet of the late 60's, more precisely the "good girl" of the 60s . My look, even though I could never equal the beauty of these heroines, was inspired by these ladies, and even more specifically their looks in these films. I also liked the styles of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Sadhana</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Nanda</span> in the 60s as well.</div><br /><br /><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Vyjayanthimala</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Sangam</span> (1964) </div><div>Inspiration: The Sleeveless <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Choli</span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262852266347950882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 164px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiK9NHt02lQ2WKNxj08wk4BXrOOr2ueRhes3-tJxxZAqCZd2AC2pJNUP0LefZFX6OqFle_DZvgJoyaO-cjYjpmH1VSw5IaUv2sgNs6HRuNMiP7T-KZ7j045T7yA8HrFRYhjDvC3BV_w_K/s200/Vijantymala.jpg" border="0" /> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Sharmila</span> Tagore in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Talash</span> (1969) (I wonder why....duh, the red hair!)<br /><div>Inspiration: The Hair Style</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262851464473916610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-RbfP0gA_R8NWF5kharqQmkbPQNUJFk137kUycwI1A-8bP1_V4sxzcRgdpFvjKqK2Lxl29yYQ8zKYsOK6drOMcBFqYdOh9bRwj2RV1ANTOLFze1vY6ZsMIm2wAVfqAe1xnejnTRaf39N/s200/Sharmila+Tagore.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Hema</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Malini</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Abhinetri</span> (1970)<br />Inspiration: The Makeup (Eyes and Lips) and Flower in Hair<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262851783306025570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNun8szxHak_AOYnP1T1xlP-jeagonkxXP0FiH7NxkVu48SqKhnJ0d0qN7ZwkaBE0Ve_2Sb0N5DL_KCebDtRoECKUQVT-uPmtgjQPy0eNantyE-Mo8TC-195nsjkO-TNURJNcYrAbkPZr/s200/Hema+Malini.jpg" border="0" /><br />The look:<br /><br /><br />The Sari: One color, mostly pale or pastels with embroidery of silver or gold patterns<br /><br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Choli</span>: Sleeveless (seemed to be the trend at the time), also I wanted a low back with a bow but I did not have the time to sew one.<br /><br /><br />The Hair: BIG. Long black hair would have been great but I have medium length red hair. So I did the 60's bee hive look (seen on the pic of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Sharmila</span> Tagore) or as we now call it the Amy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Winehouse</span> look. I got tips on how to fix my hair from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVoxsRmZrC8">this video</a>. Also, I stuck two curls to my face with hair gel and sprayed lots of hair spray on the hole thing.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264291558796138146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghx5T9IN0G1iTM4tN-yqpRd6tIUGIN017QdB1-h8jvZZjhqCDqxRR5XUOUZAtMA_ELf3S1i1TtTjFYn_LTtpU7US2ONXqRl_F5cwXBB9Fynxnsc9EtBVpeVyCHgCpDPMQVx8zxE0d08nml/s200/DSCF1819.JPG" border="0" />The Eyes: Lots of black eyeliner and pale eye shadow.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262851097749757058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 75px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Tw8DKV7wCbdhh_hbmOFiand_FFuKRVGxo_QbTk-bUyWtbuCurpCylQV9B2XUNb4Dbmr0aGcJUWzdU2e4AJOT3nhwg5kjJEq858kG_0THpSHRwDnERsbtUYuOwmUC61qfTXJyoIbrk8b0/s200/eyes.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div>Now that I've got the look, all I need is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Shammi</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Jeteendra</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Shashi</span>. (Or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Shashi</span> ?, no, just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Shashi</span>!)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263937211987044626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZEmNAbLFij9GZOkkAH2yu0jVrS_O_ppj3I2XtpVaZXXyI8u4ebRt7BCXSuVrO9uHfaW5W1uRSK_J4fvUhvqgvrKoDOykT0tx8w4xcxkjBXyp2f8QHOhS208Munhvek2AlxZ5XC48jIcD/s320/DSCF1826.JPG" border="0" /></div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-15972113223441145302008-10-22T21:10:00.040-04:002008-11-07T16:01:21.298-05:00Laxmikant Pyarelal: Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli (1970/1971)<span style="color:#ffff00;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260161329308732930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 312px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLWhfc4B6OkkvuWol2PjBc-hgva3ZOsKrkPTJ9ok83WFPa4v1XZLDux5Q4-CxEC4byGXi8wMzGSD6VzrFEOoWf7C6TdQsSWNCxCfZ3w6RTYzFzVrbDUqt0fNXfv-tjC9ktEu4uz_TFusS/s320/Lp-Jal+Bin+Machhli+Nritya+Bin+Bijli.JPG" border="0" />This is a great soundtrack and, in my opinion, one of Laximikant and Pyarelal's best. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0352457/">Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli</a> is a bit on the experimental side, but most of the songs are based on very simple melodies. The main character of the film is a young woman with a passion for the arts, more precisely song and dance. So this album suits the film well in the sense that the music must be very theatrical and grandiose (two defining features of later films by V. Shantaram) to be incorporated with dance. Most songs have long instrumental intros, breaks or outros that create strong emotional and atmospheric moods.<br /><br />One of the most famous tracks is "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mwdSrVEXMw&feature=related">Taron Men Sajke Apne Suraj Se</a>" inspired by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct6p0sP_KSk">this</a> famous song (I would be surprised if you have never heard it before, but I posted the link anyway) from the classic spaghetti western, <em>The Good, the Bad and the Ugly</em> (1966). Original music by the famous composer Ennio Morricone.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0usguzicfAAP5O8-ke2DD6y5b775frgmZ2n-ePLLDjefenjidbTYDrGyIkPIfWVbyvrQvJU7MSz-snJ3nBHpLQKGqP-wv0rSzSQhG-iOUs9LB5YuJq36Q-IMhWvDg9yvjuA2IRN6ixE8Z/s1600-h/Lp-Jal+Bin+Machhli+Nritya+Bin+Bijli+(Back).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265351601875762034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0usguzicfAAP5O8-ke2DD6y5b775frgmZ2n-ePLLDjefenjidbTYDrGyIkPIfWVbyvrQvJU7MSz-snJ3nBHpLQKGqP-wv0rSzSQhG-iOUs9LB5YuJq36Q-IMhWvDg9yvjuA2IRN6ixE8Z/s200/Lp-Jal+Bin+Machhli+Nritya+Bin+Bijli+(Back).JPG" border="0" /></a> Also the title track "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2e_s-pMdqk">Jal Bin Machhli</a>" is also well known. In the video the heroine dances and tries to imitate a gold fish out of water. There is also a new <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4mwtjrHPdE">remix version</a> (2005) by Akriti.<br /><br />"Baat Hai Ek Boond Si Dil Ke Pyale Men" brings back memories from an obscure Disney film from 1985, called <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089908/">Return to Oz</a></em>. I don't know if it's the fact that in this film similar music, by David Shire, is used to create a very creepy setting or atmosphere. It is present in a scene when Dorthy, once in Oz, meets a princess who collects the heads of many young women to use as her own. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXw4P7str2Y&feature=related">Return to Oz Clip</a> (You hear the music at around 2:40 into the clip and the section I am referring to in the Jal Bin Machhli song is an instrumental bit starting at 50 sec). I would also like to mention that this comparison is totally unimportant to this post and that it is only a personal connection that I made. <div><div><br />So continuing, the best example of theatrical music on this record is a song I enjoy, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwAVV1XbX1A&feature=related">O Mitwa Yeh Duniya To Kya Hai</a>". The last instrumental part gets quite "groovy" for the time. The clip has such great interpretive dancing.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVi8GjQYLxr9cswjnDe_Z_d_eEOh0KBQB8XthEH9DfJi2C369uN2d49neFfI8PwPtM2N4gJTboclEeD2kWbpy51JFc5xHBFE-AIXBmJdhnl5slN4gDGoqVMay3H4-z5KYJj9Y7YcUbGza/s1600-h/466e_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265351909670310834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVi8GjQYLxr9cswjnDe_Z_d_eEOh0KBQB8XthEH9DfJi2C369uN2d49neFfI8PwPtM2N4gJTboclEeD2kWbpy51JFc5xHBFE-AIXBmJdhnl5slN4gDGoqVMay3H4-z5KYJj9Y7YcUbGza/s200/466e_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>For the rest of the album, the other songs do not impress me as much, but are also good.<br /><br />I posted the original cover of the Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli vinyl which I find amazingly bizarre and psychedelic. I love it!<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>Tracks<br /></div><div><br /><em>Side 1</em></div><div><br />1. Lata Mangeshkar: Jal Bin Machhli</div><div>2. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Baat Hai Ek Boond Si Dil Ke Pyale Men</div><div>3. Lata Mangeshkar: Karja Laga Ke Bindiya Saja Ke</div><div>4. Lata Mangeshkar: Jo Main Chali Phir Na Miloongi</div><div><br /></div><div><em>Side 2</em></div><div></div><div>5. Mukesh: Taron Men Sajke Apne Suraj Se</div><div>6. Lata Mangeshkar: O Mitwa Yeh Duniya To Kya Hai</div><div>7. Lata Mangeshkar & Mukesh: Jhoomke Gaye Dil</div><div><br /><br />Lyrics: Majrooh</div><div><br />Stella_1's score: 4/5</div><div><br />Get the music now: Laxmikant Pyarelal <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?zzyjzzrtqem">Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli</a></div></div>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883917711302486029.post-66396429029273262832008-10-22T19:59:00.005-04:002008-10-22T20:53:46.003-04:00Yay! My record player!<div>Oh, joy! I finally got my record player with a USB plug, I am so happy!</div><br /><div>The only difference is that the files will be in Wav. format and that's it. </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260144916145375298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbkk5RC-em81TV3Anbj_3vBjbVPbnAyfwI8smZtmX1p-pi9DWJr5iE3YWxHHXquyDLcXG46BN04-5PKY_TpGnPlNRiK7Nl16danIUePAl_bjjft1jRPAeOAFvVw8eZrA0sTP0EQJP9wx7/s320/DSCF1804.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><p>I will post an album as soon as I can. Thanks for your patience. </p>Stella_1http://www.blogger.com/profile/15145030727795627503noreply@blogger.com6