Susheela Raman Connection

One of my favourite International Tamil voices, Susheela Raman is back in concert and this time, it’s a very special show at The Barbican, one of my favourite music venues. What impresses me the most about Susheela’s shows and general presence, is her re-imagining of her Tamil roots, from the devotional (Bhakti) aspect to her clothes and accessories (her Mangal Sutra aka Thaali is strung into a beautiful choker, which is inherently distinctive and feminine) to her choice of musicians. At her incredibly spiritual shows, one can hear the Temple instruments of Nadhaswaram and Thavil and also the vibrant guitars of Sam Mills, while the vocals of young British artistes like the brothers Raghunathan (Karthik and Kumar on vocals and violin respectively) add to the experience. Prepare to be captivated!

[Via http://theomkarconnection.wordpress.com]

SOTW: Rail Gaadi

Song: Rail Gaadi

Movie: Ashirwad (1968)

Music Director: Vasant Desai

Singer(s): Ashok Kumar

Lyrics: Harindranath Chattopadhyay

While the whole country is celebrating Teacher’s Day, I would like to dedicate this song to all the little kids. This is one of those children songs which is enjoyed by the small and the big alike. The first time I heard this song, I was laughing my head off. I didn’t know that such an entertaining song existed and more importantly couldn’t believe that it was sung by Ashok Kumar. Dadamoni and singing? And for kids?

Dadamoni has packed a lot of energy in his singing. That part where he is ringing the bell for the train is so sincere. The lyrics of the song is great – you hear the names of a lot of stations.

The song is from the movie Ashirwad, which I know nothing about. I plan to watch the movie even it is just for this song and another one which is quite similar, Naani ki naav chali. This being a Hrishikesh Mukherjee movie, it will be a good watch.

There is some confusion over the lyricist of this song. Music India Online lists Gulzar as the lyricist, but the album I have ‘Remembering Hrishikesh Mukherjee’ has Harindranath Chattopadhyay as the lyricist and Earth Music agrees with this.

[Via http://saregama.wordpress.com]

prasoon joshi : a 'gulzar' in the making?

I have been at this post for quite a while now. But yesterday when I chanced upon this news piece that Prasoon Joshi was given the Shailendra award, I was spurred on to complete the post.

When I look around at all the lyrical mockery that’s happening and all the poetical gimmickry, I wonder what will be the fate of lyrics in cinema, going ahead. Its not a very happy picture, let me tell you. Barring a few new generation of lyricists, I don’t see much talent around.

Now, coming to the crux of the post; although we do have lyricists who churn out a few good songs, they all lack depth and versatility. That’s where my search begins for a ‘gulzar’ of the next generation. A lyricist/poet who can write sensitively, with sublimity, with progressive ideas and write on innocent situations as well as controversial stuff, who can make your blood boil as well as cool your senses, who can write about society at large as well as for the individualistic/common man, who has knowledge of historical events and keeps pace with contemporary issues. If we see the growth and maturity of Gulzar, we would all be befuddled by it. Starting with Mera Gora Rang Lai Le to Mera Kuch Saaman to Aye Zindagi Galey Laga Le to Tujhse Naraaz Nahi Zindagi to Goli Maar Bheje Mei to Fatak; his range is unfathomable.

The only person who comes to my mind, wo can carry forward the legacy of Gulzar, or who can write Gulzarian lyrics seems to be Prasoon Joshi. The talent that he has displayed through his variety of work is impressive. In fact, quite a few times his lyrics sound like its from gulzar’s school of thought. The lyrics like Maa from TZP and Khoon Chala from RDB have that distinctive Gulzar touch. Let me pick a few more works of Prasoon which seem to be the silver-lining around the dark clouds of movie lyrics.

Arziyan from Delhi-6:

Written as a quwalli, its a prayer with a lot of heartfelt thoughts. The first two lines in itself conveys the pathos of the soul. Face is the mirror of the soul; if the soul is wrankled, so will the face be. There is nothing more to explain than the expression of disdain written all over the face

Arziyaan sari main chehre pe likh ke laaya hoon

Tumse kya mangu mein tum khud hi samjah lo

He goes on to explain how people have gotten all their wishes fulfilled whenever they have approached him. The thirtsy ones who asked for a drop have received an ocean of blessings etc. I do not wish to translate it, it loses the feel. Just read it :

Jo bhi tere dar aaya, Juhkne jo sar aaya

Mastiyan piye sabko, Jhoomta nazar aaya

Pyaas le ke aaya, Dariya woh bhar laya

Noor ki barish mein bheegta sa tar aaya

Toot ke bikharna mujhko zarur aata hai

Varna ibbadat wala shaoor aata hai

Sajde mein rehne do, abb kahin na jaunga

Abb jo tumne thukraya to sawar na paunga

Sar utha ke maine to kitni khwahishen ki thi

Sar jhuka ke ek pal mei maine kya nahi paya

Really sublime!

Rehna Tu from Delhi-6:

When I first heard the song, I mistook it to be a love-song and I imagined AB Jr singing this for Sonam Kapoor. But I was pleasantly surprised that the song is dedicated to Delhi. That was a stroke of genius, where even Delhi is made to sound like a dilruba and jaaneman who is not supposed to change for anything.

Rehna Tu Hai Jaisa Tu

Thoda sa dard tu Thoda Sukun

Tujhe badalna na chahoon Rati bhar bhi sanam

Bina sajawat milawat Na jyaada na hi kaam

The character of Delhi is brought out very well and the spirit of romance is all over the song, sample these lines:

Mujhe teree barish mein beegna hai ghuljana hai

Mujhe tere lapat mein jalna rakh ho jana hai

I would like to make a mention of the song Dil Gira Dafattan, which has been written with immense feelings and emotions. And we also had Masakali which is such a fun number. So, in one album he packed a punch with such variety and depth of thoughts. In fact, in Delhi-6 he also co-wrote the screenplay which means he not only understands the medium but has also gained fine grip of it. He is looking to expand his horizons and we can expect some good story/screenplay out of him.

Maa from TZP:

I don’t get moved that easily, but this song creates the magic which can melt a stone. A beautiful peice of poetry, a dedication to every mother that echoes the sentiment of every child who has been showered by mother’s love.

Mai kabhi batlata nahi

Par andhere se darta hoon mai maa

Yun to mai dikhlata nahi

Teri parwah karta hoon mai maa

Tujhe sab hai pata hai na maa

Mom knows everything, mama’s boy, mom knows best and so many other phrases come to mind. But most of all, I recall what Mother Teresa said that God created moms so he could be everywhere.

Jab bhi kabhi papa mujhe

Jo zor se jhula jhulate hain maa

Meri nazar dhoondhe tujhe

Sochun yahi tu aake thamegi maa

Unse mai yeh kehta nahi

Par mai seham jaata hoon mai maa

Chehre pe aane deta nahi

Dil hi dil mein ghabrata hoon maa

Tujhe sab hai pata hai na maa

His delving into child psychology and coming up with such gems shows us a glimpse of his sensitivity and emotions. The ease with which he brings out those feelings is amazing.

Kholo Kholo from TZP:

I chose this song only to highlight the playful lyrics that Prasoon can come up with. This not only establishes his range but also the imagination that he is capable of.

Kholo kholo darwaze, parde karo kinare

Khute se bandhi hai hawa, Milke chhudao sare

Aajao patang leke, apni hi rang leke

Asaman ka shamiyana aaj hume hai sajana

Tu dhoop hai chham se bikhar

Tu hai nadi o bekhabar

Beh chal kahin, Udd chal kahin

Dil khush jahan, teri to manzil hai wohi

His handling of situation with such creative thoughts is beautiful. Prasoon’s lyrics in TZP is commendable because it shows the understanding that he has of children. Of course, he must have been guided by the sensitivity of Amole Gupte; but yet, to come up with such poetic lines is sheer genius. In fact, the title song of the movie and the Bum Bum Bole are songs which are at perpendiculars with each other, but Prasoon writes them both with such ease without ever losing the message in it.

Khoon Chala from RDB:

A call for revolution, a call for change, a call for new enthusiasm and a call for blood akin to what Bose once said – give me blood and I will give you freedom. Echoing those very sentiments are these wonderful lines.

kuchh kar guzarne ko khoon chala, khoon chala

aankhon ke sheeshe mein utarne ko khoon chala

badan se tapak kar, zameen se lipatkar

galiyon se raston se ubharkar, umadkar

naye rang bharne ko khoon chala, khoon chala

It brings out the pangs of revolt beautifully. Everytime I hear this, I get goose-bumps. It makes me sit up and think about how we take things so lightly instead of speaking out against it.

khuli si chot lekar, badi si tees lekar, ahista ahista

sawaalon ki ungli, jawaabon ki mutthi sang lekar, khoon chala

The movie demanded such lyrics, such pain and the subsequent actions that follow. Prasoon has very effectively described a revolt with such less words which actually translates to a whole lot of ideas.

Lukka Chhupi from RDB:

Another ‘mommy’ song but in a ballad format, sensitively written. The innovation in the song is the fact that its an ode from a dead son to his mother, which hasn’t been done before.

Luka chuppi bahut huyi, saamne aaja naa

Kahan kahan dhoondha tujhe, thak gayi hai ab teri maa

Aaja saanjh hui mujhe teri fikar

Dhundhla gayi dekh meri nazar aaja na

The manner in which the son, who is no more, describes the nether world is awesome.

Kya bataoon maa kahan hoon main

Yahan udney ko mere khula aasmaan hai

Tere kisson jaisa bhola salona

Jahan hain yahan sapno vala

Meri patang ho befikar udd rahi hai maa

Dor koi loote nahin beech se kaate na

The mother’s concern for the son and the son’s free-spirited reply makes for an enigmatic listening. This is one of the best songs to be written, not many people realize the beauty of it.

Teri raah takey aankhiyaan jaane kaisa kaisa hoye jiyaa

Dheere dheere aangan utre andhera, mera deep kahan

Dhalke suraj kare ishara chanda tu hai kahan

A couple of more songs worth mentioning are the Khalbali and Pathshala. While Khalbali brings out the angst in the youth and the boiling passion to do something, Pathshala describes college fun times and those moments of frolic and playfulness.

Let me quickly list a few more songs that would bring out Prasoon’s versatility and paint a bigger picture of his wonderful thoughts and imaginations. Two songs from Ghajini stood out, Guzarish and Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gayi. The two songs are written for different situations, but both are nice.

In Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic, he has written Seedhi Sapaat Zindagi which has some nice similies and Lazy Lamhe which is a totally fun song. And how can I forget the Chand Sifarish song which was a light hearted romantic number. Now this takes me back to his songs in the movie Hum Tum where he wrote Ladki Kyon Na Jaane Kyon to Chak De Saare Gham to Gore Gore Se Chhore and finally to the romantically poetic title song of the movie.

While I refrain from comparing Prasoon to Gulzar, I do believe that Prasoon has the pen with which he can put across creative thoughts and myriad ideas. If Gulzar is the clear stream of reason, Prasoon is a trickle of that spring, if Gulzar is that blazing sun of heated thoughts and words then Prasoon is a spark of those ignited flames, if Gulzar is the peak of serenity and calmness then Prasoon is but a hillock belonging to the same range of mountains. I just wish he continues to write, write well and touch people’s lives with his writing. I am ending this post with an ode on Prasoon using his onw words …

naam -o-nishaan rahe na rahe

ye caarvaan rahe na rahe

ujaale mai pee gaya

roshan hua jee gaya

kyon sehte rahe

ruu-ba-ruu roshni hai

This post was first published on PFC

[Via http://crazyrals.wordpress.com]

1-800-A-INDIAN

Maybe there’s some South Asians reading this that wanna comment? Cause there’s a really thin line between comedy and racism… and I didn’t laugh once at this… Well, I chuckled when I saw the USC kids, cause the only color they look at for college acceptances is Green. BOOOSH! Thanks for that $1000 Trojan scholarship back in 1998, bitches!

Thanks ePanda. I don’t think (the) gGod(s) want me to drive up to P-town this weekend.

[Via http://bicoastalbitchin.wordpress.com]

dum maro dum

the colonel LOVES snacks. he searched for a couple of recipes for me to try to make. the first is from an awesome blog called bong mom. i can’t copy it, but you can go here for the recipe. it’s for sookha kala-dry black chickpeas. this blog is really great. she has mostly bengali recipes, a region i have not been to or eaten food from.

the next one is from karachi

Kala channa -2 cup boiled and drained

1 tsp – ginger paste

1tsp – red chillie pwdr

1tsp salt

1/2 tsp chat masala

Some mint leaves for dum

Soak kala chana overnight, boil them with little salt. Cook till tender, drain the excess liquid and keep aside.

Put a little oil in a pan and add ginger paste. Add channa and all the spices. abd 1/2 cup liquid that you kept aside. Cook till all the water dries up. Place some mint leaves over it and keep on dum for 10 minutes.

i wonder what “dum” means. it reminds me of that bollywood song from, “hari rama, hari krishna,” a bollywood film from the 70s. check it out. it’s a classic clash of morals-east meets west.

the other food the colonel really loves (also me) is brussel sprouts. he found a very interesting recipe for me to try. i have never had brussel sprouts in india, so i’m not sure where they eat them!

BHARATIYA BRUSSEL SPROUTS

8 brussel sprouts

4 green chillies

1/2 teaspoon urad dal

1/2 teaspoon channa dal

1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds

2 tablespoons grated coconut

1 tablespoon oil and salt to taste.

Preparation time : – 15 minutes Serves : – 2

Wash the brussel sprouts and dry them nicely. Finely chop them and set aside. Finely chop the green chillies and set them aside too. Take a frying pan and pour the oil and bring to heat. Once the oil is very hot add the mustard seeds and let them crackle. Next put in the urad dal, channa dal and sauté till they turn a light brown. Then add the chillies and let them crackle. Put the finely cut brussel sprouts and fry for about ten minutes. Once its nice and soft add the salt and grated coconut stir once and remove from flame.

[Via http://bindifry.wordpress.com]

Review before release - II

Blue & Dil Bole Hadippa would be disappointments of the Year…What’s Your rashee seems interesting but not inspiring…

• Blue – Most hyped movie, but I cannot say it to be most expected from the audience point of view. From the look of the film, through its promo, this multi star venture looks like another ‘CASH’, ya the  same dud, which find a place in top Ten worst movies. It is hyped in the Film industry because in Bollywood anybody with solid cash-flows can generate it. The names of AR Rehmaan, Rossol Pokkuty – the Oscar winners-are nothing to show as far as songs are concerned. Would be a disappointment.

• Dil Bole Hadippa – Shahid Kapur will be seen after the successful Kaminey. The movie like any Yash Raj production looks glossy. But this gloss does not seem to have the soul. The music is shout-full, which the songs appearing to be ‘item-numbers’. And seeing Rani Mukherjee in a sardar-get up is too much to expect from the audience sensibilities. She looks like old classic vintage heroine changing to men’s get-up to earn for her ill mother, fallin in line with the truck driver hero and in the climax the woman coming on the screen. This Dil Bole Hadippa would be a disappointment for the Trade and for Rani Mukherjee. The producers attempt to drive publicity with Rani going to mandirs and all  shows that the film lacks substance and YRF know that only Lord can save them the blushes.
• Wanted – Now this movie sure will be a winner for the beleaguered film industry. Releasing on the eve of Id this Salman-all the way – starrer would see a massive opening –a la-Ghazini and kambakkhat Ishq. Would be a crouwd puller and full of seetis & throttle. Prabhu D(h)eva and Salman Khan pairing as Director-choreographer-actor is sure to work, Audience will love it. I am looking forward to have a First Day first Show dekko of this WANTED. being a remake and action film this would be the biggest draw of 2009.
• Three – 3 – this Vikram Bhatt production seems to take – off from earlier VB directorials –Fareb and Raaz. The film fails to arouse much anticipation as the star-cast lacks the intensity of the story that is being tried to be told on scree. In an interview to Taran Adarsh on etc VB has said that before embarking on film making they first make appealing – promos  and based on that go on to make the film. So if this is the criteria the film looks tired effort and is all set to be wash-out. The songs aren’t attractive or seductive enough.

• Do Knot Disturb – wow. Families would love watching Govinda-David Dhawan antics. Perhaps this would be perfect revival tonic for Puja Films and its mentor Vasu Bhagnani. It will pass the race course, no doubt. Keep disturbing
• All The Best – Audience in India laps to an entertainer. And what to say of Rohit Shetty directorial comedies. They are just butchered by critics but loved by the masses who matters. Remember Golmal Returns, this man, managed to convert it to a Block buster, inspite of no=script to film. This is because he has his hands on audiences pulse. One of his last film Sunday barely managed to scrap through but the viewers did enjoy it.  This Ajay Devgan production is a sure-shot winner, last year on Diwali it was Golmaal 2, now its Alll the Best.
• What’s Your Rashee – this Aushotosh Gowrikar film is well made. But the problem here is expectations from this Director who has given us magnum opus of the level of Lagaan and Jodha Akhbar. In between he made Swades, which was a dull affair compared to his earlier production. This time its seems that history shall repeat itself. The story of this movie looks interesting…but, but its not inspiring. The song are sweet and good but does not have to get BO ringing. And see other than song they are not having anything new to promote the movie other than Aushotosh-Priyanka war of words at a film award function. How old-fashioned tactics…hire some new PR mannnn….

With about 6 films releasing in a week, as this Friday, good films may go unnoticed. Atleast 4 films carry good reviews for them but response was lukewarm -Y.M.I, Love Khichdi, Shot Gun Murugun and Kissan. So there may be some films that I may have missed … so all the best. There are some Like Aladin, My Name is Khan, Me and Mrs Khanna, London dreams for which it is too early to comment. Happy viewing.

[Via http://omsherryom.wordpress.com]

Rani Mukherjee's new movie- Dil Bole Hadippa

It seems as if the look of Sardar is taking Bollywood in its stride. Earlier it was Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan who were inspired by this look, but this time it is not an actor but an actress who is planning to be a sardar. She is none other than Rani Mukherjee who is playing a role of sardar in her new upcoming movie called Dil Bole Hadippa. The looks of Rani in the film have been revealed. She is shown in the getup of Sardar who is holding a stick in hand.

The rumours are also flowing in that this amazing look of Rani is styled by the famous Mike Stringer who has worked also on films like Gandhi My Father, Dhoom 2, Outpost, Hyperdrive, Flick and many others.

It isn’t surprising that Rani is playing such roles as she has accepted various challenging roles in the past as well which are unforgettable. Since Rani has been away from the screen for a long time this new YRF movie with new look of hers may get her back into the tinsel town.

Dil Bole Hadippa is the forthcoming movie of the year 2009 which is produced by Aditya Chopra under the banner of Yash Raj Films. The direction of the movie is done by Anurag Singh. The movie has Rani Mukherjee and Shahid Kapoor in the lead role along with Anupam Kher, Rakhi Sawant and Sherlyn Chopra in the supporting roles.

The set up of the film is mainly done in the village of Punjab where Rani plays the role of a girl who has to become a Sardar in order to fulfil her dreams and to show to the world that women are no less than man in any ways.

The main plot of the story is a love triangle between the characters played by Rani Mukherjee, Shahid Kapoor and Sherlyn Chopra. Sherlyn Chopra portrays the role of a model who is also the girlfriend of Shahid Kapoor who is the team captain in the movie.

Rani is a female who masquerade herself as a male cricketer and enters the team of men’s cricket to prove that even she can play as well as any other man. As the story line moves ahead the character played by Shahid and Rani falls in love with each other and hence a love triangle is formed.

The expected release date of the movie is 18th September, 2009. Beside the interesting looks of Rani the title of the movie was also a much talked about topic. The rights for the title “Hadippa” has been already taken by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and even after repeated request by Yash Raj Films , Bhansali refused to give them the title. Later on the title was announced as Dil Bole Hadippa. Shahid Kapoor and Rani Mukherjee are seen together for the first time in this movie and hopefully this movie will meet up with the expectation of its viewers and will bring back Rani into the industry.

[Via http://monadarlingblog.wordpress.com]