Phir Mile Sur Mera Tumhara – Sadly PALE!!!

I am a die hard fan of Indian Integrity and the whole concept of “Unity in Diversity”. And nothing better could represent the sole soul of the nation than “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara”

I am apalled, aghast, disgusted after seeing the new representation of India in “Phir Mile Sur Mera Tumhara”.

Here goes my review of the same:

Strengths

1. Amitabh starting the video – gave it a powerful start. Shankar Mahadevan and gang followed it well with a good rendition

Weaknesses

1. Are you trying to show India without The Taj? I mean, seriously? In the 17 min long video, you could not devote a few seconds to the most recognizable structure in India?
2. No Lata!? Without her voice, can a video on India be complete? Her beautiful voice gave us goose bumps in the earlier version and we are super lucky to have had her around during the re-make – and the makers missed out on that!!?? Sad!
3. No Sachin or Dravid? Basically no representation whatsoever of Cricket, the most loved religion of India!
4. Too much of Mumbai in the video.. How about the ghati of Kashmir or the Backwaters of Kerala or the tea-gardens of Assam or the beaches of Goa?
5. Deepika and Ranbir looked rather stupid merely acting and not adding any value to the video. From the looks of it, they seemed like they were doing yet another film and not a video on National Integrity!
6. Really poor representation of WB – They could have roped in Sourav – the prince of Kolkata!
7. And no one better than Gohil to represent Gujarat? They could have got Mallika Sarabhai back! Or roped in Prachi Desai or Paresh Raval.
8. The fusion of Shiamak Davar and Kuchipudi was done in real bad taste
9. Aamir’s portion badly shot and a novel touch to the tune of the song has made it disastrous. His portion did not add any value at all to the whole theme.
10. Sonu Nigam looks disgusting… he looks like a firang bozo! His portion was sadly easily editable!
11. The video was trying hard to give enough footage to all the stars involved – Just one line given to every one of them would have sufficed – ensuring little digression from the theme! In the earlier version, all the stars were shown, not as stars, but as aam aadmi. Most were just there, contributing their bit in an unobtrusive way!
12. Not an iota of mention of Chandrayan? One of our bigger scientific achievements of the decade!
13. Many portions of the song seemed completely out of tune!
14. They could have used the famous child stars in portions involving kids.

The video frankly seemed like it was trying hard to satisfy the vanity of each of the stars involved! They could do with some serious editing! It started with a good intention, which was not successfully met. Wished they had concentrated more on showing the real “India” and less of pomp and show!

To cut a long story short, the 17 min long video no match for its short and crisp 6+ mins old counterpart!

I give it a thumbs down! Wats your take?

[PS Prepared with some creative inputs from Praveen]

Hum Tere Pyaar Mein from Dil Ek Mandir

Love has always been compared to madness. And I think it probably is. Coz it probably makes you do things you would not do otherwise. Some may call this feeling insanity. I guess it is… But, I also think this madness is what drives love! And in turn, drives the world!! 🙂

Dil ek mandir had some really beautiful songs picturised on the beautiful Meena Kumari. Feel like sharing one of them with you! It is my favorite and Lata’s rendition is so beautiful, you wont even realize when you well up!!

Lyrics:

Hum tere pyar me saara aalam kho baithe hain
kho baithe hain
Tum kehte ho ki aise pyar ko bhul jao
bhul jao

Panchi se chuda kar uska ghar
Tum apne ghar par le aaye
Yeh pyar ka pinjara man bhaya
Hum jee bhar bhar kar muskaye
Jab pyar hua is pinjare se
Tum kehne lage aazad raho
Hum kaise bhula dein pyar tera
Tum apni zuban se ye na kaho
Ab tum sa jahan me koi nahi hai
Hum to tumhare ho baithe

Tum kehte ho ke aise pyar ko bhul jao
bhul jao
Hum tere pyar me saara alam

Is tere charan ki dhool se humne
Apni jeevan maang bhari
Jab hi to suhagan kehlayi
Duniya ki nazar me pyar bani
Tum pyar ki sundar moorat ho
Aur pyar hamari pooja hai
Ab in charano me dam nikale
Bus itni aur tamanna hai
Hum pyar ke gangajal se balamji
Tan man apna dho baithe

Tum kehte ho ki aise pyar ko bhul jao
bhul jao
Hum tere pyar me saara aalam

Sapno ka darpan dekha tha
Sapno ka darpan tod diya
Yeh pyar ka aanchal humne to
Daaman se tumhare baandh liya
Ye aisi gaanth hai ulfat ki
Jisko na koi bhi khol saka
Tum aan base jab is dil mein
Dil fir to kahin na dol saka
O pyar ka sagar hum teri
leheron me naav dubo baithe

Tum kehte ho ki aise pyar ko bhul jao
bhul jao

Tagged again… :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

🙂 Found this on Sakhi’s blog

I tag my blog fellas to mention one item they did that bought a smile on their face.

Well… a lot of things brought a smile to my face today…

Seeing a lovely flower on the way to office 🙂 A cute child’s smile 🙂 Lata’s reverberating voice on my iTouch, My office colleagues’ exuberant hi. And ofc Sakhi’s post has made it a perfect morning so far 🙂

Chalte chalte from Pakeezah

A beautiful song. Meena kumari looks stunning but what caught my eyes for the first time were the two Kathak dancers in the backdrop. The chakkars and the chaals are mesmerising. Do watch the video even if you have watched the song many times, for the kathak dancers. They wont disappoint you! 🙂

Aayega aane waala from Mahal

This song will always be special to me as I consider it a minor victory that I had over my own inhibitions. As a child, I was an average singer though I have a good knowledge of tunes. The reason being high notes, which were always a problem area.

During wedding of one of my maternal uncles, we were preparing for Sangeet. One of my mom’s uncles asked me to sing this song. I had to stiffle a laughter and I told him “Nanaji, I just shriek on high notes and this song has many. Lets choose a simpler song”. But, he just wouldnt have it. He asked me to start and as expected I fumbled. Nevertheless, he was adamant that I try. I tried a few more times and it din seem like that difficult a feat. He would keep giving me honey to soothe my throat which had begun to turn hoarse…

I tried a lot to convince him throughout the day. Btw, I had only 3-4 hours to do my riyaz, but he pushed me to go ahead and sing, and he would take care of minor flaws here and there with his harmonium.

Finally, I did sing this song and did remarkably well. Most of my relatives were stunned at the rendition of the song, specially those who thought I had more of a Geeta dutt type of songs ka voice. I used to deliberately choose her songs back then coz her songs needed more of style and less of vocal quality. My fav being Babuji dheere chalna

So, this song is the toughest song I have ever sung. I overcame my inhibitions about my strength, which makes it all the more special 🙂

Even though I know you will never read this, Thank you Nana ji 🙂

Mausam hai aashiqana!!

One of the most beautiful melodies ever by Lata herself! The song actually takes you to another world. The lyrics are beautiful!

Lyrics:

मौसम है आशिकाना
ऐ दिल कहीं से उनको ऐसे मी ढूंढ लाना

कहना के रुत जवान है, और हम तरस रहे हैं
काली घटा के साए, बिरहन को डस रहे हैं
डर है न मार डाले, सावन का क्या ठिकाना

सूरज कहीं भी जाए, तुम पर न धूप आए
तुम को पुकारते हैं, इन गेसुओं के साए
आ जाओ मैं बना दूँ, पलकों का शामियाना

फिरते हैं हम अकेले, बाहों में कोई लेले
आख़िर कोई कहाँ तक तनहाइयों से खेले
दिन हो गए हैं जालिम, राते हैं कातिलाना

ये रात ये खामोशी, ये ख्वाब से नज़ारे
जुगनू हैं या जमीन पर, उतरे हुए हैं तारे
बेख्वाब मेरी आंखें, मदहोश है ज़माना

Professor

 

/* Poonam, You are Forbidden from reading any further 😛 */ 

Year: 1962

Watched Professor, primarily for Shammi Kapoor… The movie, reminds you of the Jaya Bhaduri and Jeetendra starrer Parichay (released in 1972) in bits and pieces. Though, now you know, that Parichay may have been derived from Professor and not vice-versa. We could also blatantly state that the 1965 hit The sound of music was “inspired” by Professor!!! 😐 Well… now thats stretching things a bit too far… !!

Now, coming back to the movie, like you may have guessed, the story line is that of a tyrant Aunt, who is raising her brother’s children. Shammi Kapoor comes as the saviour and falls in love with the eldest sister (played by Kalpana).

The story is ordinary and the movie tickles the funny bone at times… But, what works for the movie totally is Shankar-Jaikishan’s music! Songs have been primarily sung by Lata and Rafi.

Mere Mehboob

Year: 1963

I have always been a fan of Urdu… I think the language is beautiful and is most certainly the best language you can even express your feelings in… While watching Mere Mehboob yesterday, I remembered where and how I had gotten addicted to this language. It was with this very movie, which I had seen eons ago!

It was then and its today, my love for Urdu has only increased with each passing day…

Movie Review: Aradhana – Enchantingly beautiful :)

Year: 1969

Watched Aradhana on sunday, then on monday again twice! And THAT never happens with me… Even cult movies like Andaz Apna Apna and Sholay, you cant watch again and again back to back… but Aradhana, I did…

And that made me wonder, what was it in the movie that made me watch it again and again… it was as if, I couldnt get enough of it! Here is the analysis…

Aradhana was released way back in 1969. Starring the not-yet-a-superstar Rajesh Khanna and the demure and pretty Sharmila Tagore. It was not just one, but many things that worked in the favour of the movie.

Kohinoor

Year: 1960

If you have always wondered, why is Meena Kumari’s beauty so over-rated, Kohinoor is a must watch! The lady looks like you must have never seen before… She looks absolutely ravishing as the princess!

Yaad me teri from Mere Mehboob

I hope u guys arent bored yet.. But, M on the roll… one of my all time favs – here comes a Rafi-Lata duet… They weave magic into the otherwise simple tune… The lyrics rock!

Why such morose songs all of a sudden you may think. I am a boring person anyways, so have always loved morose songs more than any other type! 🙂

Lyrics:

याद मे तेरी जाग जाग के हम
रात भर करवटें बदलते हैं
हर घड़ी दिल मे तेरी उल्फत के
धीमे धीमे चराग़ जलते हैं

जब से तूने निगाह फ़ेरी है
दिन है सूना तो रात अंधेरी है
चाँद भी अब नज़र नहीं आता
अब सितारे भी कम निकलते हैं
याद मे तेरी जाग जाग के हम…

लुट गयी वो बहार की महफ़िल
छुट गयी हम से प्यार की मंज़िल
ज़िंदगी की उदास राहों में
तेरी यादों के साथ चलते हैं
याद मे तेरी जाग जाग के हम….

तुझको पाकर हमें बहार मिली
तुझसे छुट कर मगर ये बात खुली
बागबान भी चमन के फूलों को
अपने पैरों से ख़ुद मसलते हैं
याद मे तेरी जाग जाग के हम….

क्या कहें तुझसे क्यूँ हुई दूरी
हम समझते हैं अपनी मजबूरी
तुझको मालूम क्या कि तेरे लिए
दिल के गम आँसुओं में ढलते हैं
याद मे तेरी जाग जाग के हम….

Mehboob mere – Patthar ke Sanam

Patthar ke sanam has some beautiful songs. However, amongst all, this one tops the chart for me. Check it out. Isnt Waheeda gorgeous!? 🙂 

Ae Dil-e-nadan…

I have said this a million times before… and will keep saying it till I die… Lata kills you with her voice…!! It pierces your body, mind and soul and touches portions of your heart, you did not know existed! When i listen to her songs, I get so lost… dont want to do anything but soak the entire warmth carried by her voice!!

Right now, finishing an assignment… The song played by Nitin, revitalised me completely…

You also enjoy it here…

Chandan sa Badan… from Saraswati Chandra

My all time favorite… 😀 I could find the song on youtube only by Mukesh… the same song has been sung by Lata also… which is definitely lovelier… Music is by Kalyanji Anandji

Check the same at

check the Lyrics… They are one of the most romantic lyrics ever…

Yeh dil tum bin… from Izzat

Another one of my all time favorites of the legendary Rafi-Lata pair… The song is so heart felt and touching, it is sure to take you to a different world altogether 🙂