गानकोकिळा, भारतरत्न लता मंगेशकर यांच्याबद्दल अनेक पुस्तकें लिहिली गेली आहेत. विशेषतः राजू भारतन आणि हरिष भिमाणी यांनी लता दिदींच्या सांगीतिक कारकिर्दीचा सखोल आढावा घेतला आहे. परंतु लताजींच्या व्यक्तिगत जीवनाबद्दल, त्यांच्या घरगुती वावराबद्दल फारसे ज्ञात नाही. त्यांची जिवलग मैत्रीण आणि साहित्य अकादमी पुरस्कार विजेत्या लेखिका पद्मा सचदेव यांचे पुस्तक ही उणीव भरून काढते. "ऐसा कहांसे लाऊं" या मूळ हिंदी चरित्राचा जयश्री देसाई यांनी "अक्षय गाणें" या नावाचा अतिशय सरस अनुवाद केला आहे.
पुस्तक काहीसे डायरी पद्धतीने लिहिलेले आहे. त्यातुन केवळ लताजीच नव्हे तर संपुर्ण मंगेशकर कुटुंबातील व्यक्ती -- माई मंगेशकर ते आदिनाथ मंगेशकर -- आपल्या अनेक पैलूंनिशी सामोरे येतात. महत्त्वाचे म्हणजे यात जवळपास 50 दुर्मीळ फोटो आहेत, जे बहुतांश तरी मी यापूर्वी पाहिले नव्हते, उदाहरणार्थ, लताजींनी काढलेले फोटो आणि अप्रतिम पेंटिंग्ज. हिंदी चित्रपट संगीताच्या सुवर्ण काळाबद्दल रुची असणाऱ्या आणि मंगेशकर कुटुंबातील अलौकिक गात्या गळ्यांवर प्रेम करणाऱ्या प्रत्येकाने आवर्जून वाचावे असेच हे पुस्तक आहे.
Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki in his prime years, performing two bandishes (ए री सखी आज मोहे व रंग से रंग दि) for a Mumbai Doordarshan programme in early 1980s. He is accompanied by my mama Pdt Raghunath Phadke on taanpura.And it turns out that the other person on taanpura is also my mama: Jayant Phadke! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8zxusv04OM
Pdt Prabhakar Karekar
"प्रिये पहा, रात्रीचा समय सरुनी येत उष:काल हा!".... 'संगीत सौभद्र' मधील हे एक अजरामर नाट्यगीत. अनेक गायक -- गायिकांनी आपल्या गान-वैशिष्ट्यानुसार ते सादर केले आहे. पण पं. प्रभाकर कारेकर यांच्या खुल्या, दाणेदार आवाजात हे गाणे एक आगळावेगळा अनुभव देऊन जाते. जरूर ऐका.
When I just finished reading a superb Marathi book titled "गीतकारांचीबखर". Written by विजयपडळकर, it gives an excellent synopsis of more than 100 lyricists who have given us immeasurable moments of happiness through their songs for the Hindi film industry.
The book also provides some interesting nuggets /anecdotes.... Here are some of my favourites!
When recording the song "aayega aanewala" from the movie "Mahal", the music director Khemchand Prakash wanted a rising pitch/ tone to indicate that the 'ghost' is coming closer. The technology to achieve this sound effect wasn't available at that time . So he placed the microphone in the middle of recording room and Lata didi stood in one corner of the room, gradually walking towards the mike while singing.
The song "yeh mera prem patra padhkar", written by Hasrat Jaipuri, was a rage in the 1960s. But very few people know that he had actually written this as a poem for the love of his life, a girl named Radha. Hasrat sahab could never express his love for her, and she eventually married someone else.
Raj Kapoor was so touched by this that not only he included this poem in his movie "Sangam" but also named the heroine as Radha.
In the 1940s-50s, working in film industry was considered 'below standard'. So when Naushad was about to get married, his parents hid the fact that he was a budding film music director and instead told his in-laws that he was a tailor.
The height of irony was: When the wedding procession arrived at his place, Naushad was stunned to see the 'baaraat' folks dancing to the songs from the movie "Rattan", blissfully unaware that the music for this film was composed by…. Naushad.
Here a song composed by Naushad, one of my all-time favourites.
The song "jara saamne to aao" is a Lata - Rafi duet from the movie "Janam Janam Ke Phere ". Its picturization shows a prayer to God urging Him to make an appearance.
In reality, lyricist Bharat Vyas wrote this song in memory of his son who had run away from home. When seen in this context, the words of the song take on a completely different, heart-wrenching meaning.
The movie "Mera Naam Joker" was a dream project of Raj Kapoor, and it had many beautiful songs penned by his favourite lyricist, Shailendra. Unfortunately, Shailendra passed away after writing a few lines of "Jeena yahan marna yahan".
His son Shaily, just aged 17 that time, found the unfinished poem and completed it. Such a great job he did, that, when we listen to this song, it is impossible to differentiate between the lines of father and son.
"Hai apna dil toh aawara"… Whether you've heard this beautiful melody by Hemant Kumar or not, listen to it once again, this time with special attention to the fantastic mouth organ piece after each stanza. Guess who has played the mouth organ?
Rahul Dev Burman.. He started his musical career as an assistant to his father S D Burman and played harmonica and mouth organ in his music troupe.
When R D Burman saw the lyrics of a song written by Gulzar, he said , "अरेयार ! मैइसपेधूनकैसेबनाऊ? कलतुममुझेटाईम्सओफ़इन्डियाकेहेडलाईन्सपेम्युझिकबनानेकहोगे! (Oh dear! How do I set these line to tune? Tomorrow you'll ask me to compose music for Times Of India headlines!"
Gulzar left the song at Burman's home. A short while later, Asha Bhonsle found the pages lying around, picked them up, and started humming them. R D was impressed. "I have found my tune", he said… And thus was born the unforgettable song…. "Mera kuch saaman"
Everyone has a favourite Lata Mangeshkar song, even politicians. During a film award function, the then-Home Minister L K Advani mentioned in his speech that "Jyoti Kalash Chhalake" was his all-time favourite. When Lata ji began her speech, she surprised everyone by singing a few lines of this song impromptu, and you could see the stalwart politician deeply touched.
As much as I love this song in the mellifluous voice of Lata ji, listening to its Sudhir Phadke version, who composed music for it, makes me wish that Babuji had sung/composed more Hindi film songs.
My mornings during the bachelor days in Pune usually begia with a Vividh Bharati programme on old Hindi film songs, at 7 AM. I do not recollect the name of the programme, but what I clearly remember is that every day it ended with a K L Saigal song.
So… It's quite apt that I close this miniseries on anecdotes of film songs with a Saigal song that I like.
I have always
wondered why old film songs are more dearer than recent ones. The answer came
when reading lyrics written by Sahir Ludhiyanwi… They are good poetry first,
film songs later.
Over last two days, I have been listening to songs from Saawariya, the next movie directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali that is slated for release in November. Bhansali’s films so far have been appreciated for their music. Not surprisingly, expectations were running high for Saawariya.... and the album doesn’t disappoint. Monty Sharma, who assisted Bhansali during Black, has composed the score for Saawariya. He has done a superb job, bringing back the melody which seems to have been lost in the cacophony of sounds that is passed under the name of music these days.
As to the songs themselves... The number of songs is a bit on higher side (about 12 in all), but many are of a short duration, lasting under 3 minutes. They have been rendered by established singers likes Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal and Kunal Gaanjaawaala as well new two new voices: Shail Hada and Paarthiv Gohil.
The title track sung solo by Shail Hada is a trendy number that creates an upswing mood. At some points, it has traces of Kishore's style. "Thode badmaash ho tum" reminds one of "Bairi Piya" from Devdas. It has the same playfully romantic lyrics and sung to a similar tune. Another common factor is Shreya Ghoshal who has sung both the songs. Shreya next comes up with Sawar Gayi... another of my favourites and Masha-Allah; the latter a duet with Kunal Ganjawaala.
I am not particularly fond of Shaan, but couldn't help loving "Jabse tere naina".... very nicely sung! Yun Shabnami... definitely my most fav among all the numbers, is a pleasant melody sung in an understated way that makes it particularly sweet. After a couple of lines, the song surprisingly transforms into a qawwali style-chorus, but thankfully doesn’t stay that way for long. However, it ends in an abrupt way... perhaps the picturisation might provide the reason for this.
"Daras bina naahi chain”, from classical genre, has a haunting score depicting pain and anguish...a hallmark of Bhansali's movies.
Among other tracks, there is a playful "Chhabeela" by veteran singer Alka Yagnik. It has good beats of dhol and is rendered very efficiently. "Pari" by Kunal Ganjaawalaa is the only track that seems to be the odd-one out, in my personal opinion. Kunal’s style doesn’t seem to gel with the effect created by other songs.
All songs lend themselves to the ear; primarily for the reason that the music is low on use of instruments and doesn’t drown out the voice of the singer…you can actually make out the words being sung! I haven't seen the trailers, but my friends who have seen have loved them.
Saawariya, the movie, features two newcomers as lead pair and has generated quite a buzz, in spite of a head-on release with Om Shanti Om. I am looking forward to treating myself with Bhansali's sensitivity and SRK's charisma.
Violin happens to be a favourite instrument of mine... no! I can't play it, but yes.. I love to listen. In India, it is not as commonly popular as other instruments.
Gaata Rahe Mera Violin by Prabhakar Jog would rank one of the best pieces available. The pack contains six CDs, each costing Rs.100/- if purchased individually. Out of six, four CDs are of Marathi songs and 2 are Hindi film instrumentals.
The CDs are good music companions for long stretches of lonely travels, or to listen to while working. Just push in a CD, and you find yourself humming a tune without getting distracted from the task at hand.
The only drawback I can say is, in Hindi songs, all are only of Lata Mangeshkar. No complaints about that, all the songs are my favourites; nevertheless, it would have been great to have an assortment of songs by Asha, Rafi, Kishore and Manna De as well.
HMV has a huge collection of melodies recorded during the Golden Era of Hindi Film music. No wonder that it keeps on churning out compilations of these songs in various categories. Recently, I chanced to have a valuable piece of the same.
Classical Songs from Films is a pack of 2 CDs, costing Rs. 250/-. A look at the contents is enough to justify the price. It has most of the popular favourites such as:
Madhuban Me Radhika-Rafi
Bole re papihara-Vani Jairam
Ajahu Na aaye-Rafi/Suman
Sawan aaye na aaye-Rafi/Asha
Naino mein badra chhaye-Lata
Rasik Balma-Lata
Aayo Kahan Ghanashyaam-Manna De
Puchcho na kaise maine-Manna De
Biti na bitai raina-Lata
Hume tumse pyar kitna-Parveen Sultana
It also has some songs that are quite unheard of... My personal favourites among these are:
Ja Re Badra bairi ja: Lata
Tere Naina Talaash Karein: Manna De
Garjat Barsat Sawan Aayo Re: Suman
Re mann sur mein gaa: Manna De-Asha
Ketaki Gulab Juhi: Manna De-Bhimsen Joshi
As someone who has grown on MP3s, buying this pack was in itself was a major milestone for me. Indeed, why buy 25 songs for Rs. 250/- when you can get nearly 100-130 songs for something like 30/-? However, since I have been harping a lot about protecting my own IPR (An Open Letter to Forward Enthusiasts) , the realization has been that I must respect the same in others too! MP3s clearly do not achieve this. Moreover, an original CD definitely has much better sound quality!
Do get this pack in your collection. Nothing can match the pleasure of listening to "Ja re badra bairija" on a cloudy evening, or listening to Manna De and Asha Bhonsle match each other note for note in "Re mann sur me gaa"...
