After about the fifth year, I have been approaching each anniversary of the Songs of Yore with some apprehension whether it has been able to hold the readers’ interest and maintain quality. As I look back on the ninth year completing today, I am quite satisfied, and a great deal of the credit goes to the readers who have continued to participate with high-quality comments. Some readers have taken the trouble of writing guest articles which have significantly enhanced the blog. I owe my heartfelt thanks to all the readers.
The very first post of the SoY’s ninth year was a guest article by DP Rangan on Suraiya. He next set off a series on Roshan and Madan Mohan with a unique tandem post on the two great composers. In a novel initiative, this post was annotated by our music expert Subodh Agrawal. The series came to a grand conclusion with Sangeeta Gupta, Madan Mohan’s daughter, writing a loving article on him. Mr Rangan continued his indefatigable run with excellent articles on Sajjad Hussain and Madhubala.
Shalan Lal’s every article on SoY is a major event for its depth and breadth of research. In the year she came up with an amazing five guest articles. Starting with her two provocative pieces on the October Revolution and Meena Kapoor, she wrote an omnibus series comprising three articles on chorus songs, one each for the decades of 1930s, 40s and 50s, making the just concluded month of May 2019 the month of Shalan Lal. Some energy this at her age. And, not to forget the Master Pun-e-kar, Ashwin Bhandarkar, with whom the SoY swung into the calendar year 2019 with a superb article on swinging songs. I also filled in with usual articles to keep the blog going at the pace of a post about every ten days.
SoY is extremely fortunate to have such great patrons. Let me express my thanks to all of them with some exceptional songs I came across in the year, to celebrate the 9th anniversary of the Songs of Yore.
Nazm in Durga
1. Bahaar ayi to jaise yak baar laut aye hain adam se by Tina Sani (Faiz Ahmaed ‘Faiz’ ghazal)
My romance with Raga Durga is well known, but I could never imagine a ghazal or nazm in this raga. When a friend introduced me to this Faiz nazm sung by the Pakistani singer Tina Sani, I was floored. The left-wing rebel poet Faiz could also be supremely romantic. His great lyrics are matched by the stunningly-beautiful Tina Sani, whose adakari is equally great. And Raga Durga takes you to a different plane which can be surpassed only by a pure classical composition.
बहार आई तो जैसे यक बार
लौट आए हैं फिर अदम से
वो ख़्वाब सारे शबाब सारे
जो तेरे होठों पे मर-मिटे थे
जो मिट के हर बार फिर जिए थे
निखर गए हैं गुलाब सारे
जो तेरी यादों से मुश्कबू हैं
जो तेरे उश्शाक़ का लहू है
बहार आई..
उबल पड़े हैं अज़ाब सारे
मलाल-ए-अहवाल-ए-दोस्ताँ भी
ख़ुमार-ए-आग़ोश-ए-मह-वशां भी
ग़ुबार-ए-ख़ातिर के बाब सारे
तेरे हमारे सवाल सारे जवाब सारे
बहार आई तो खुल गए हैं
नए सिरे से हिसाब सारे
बहार आई.
And here is its beautiful translation by Agha Shahid Ali courtesy this site.
It Is Spring Again
It is spring, And the ledger is opened again.
From the abyss where they were frozen,
those days suddenly return, those days
that passed away from your lips, that died
with all our kisses, unaccounted.
The roses return: they are your fragrance;
they are the blood of your lovers.Sorrow returns. I go through my pain
and the agony of friends still lost in the memory
of moon-silver arms, the caresses of vanished women.
I go through page after page. There are no answers,
and spring has come once again asking
the same questions, reopening account after account.
Now sing along with Tina Sani and join the audience in this ethereal experience.
Raga Kafi forever
2. Aaj khelo Shyam sang Hori by Pandit Venkatesh Kumar
I have discovered Pt Venkatesh Kumar recently, and he has since become one of my greatest favourites. I can listen to him endlessly and you can never tire of Raga Kafi. It seems he became active on the concert circuit quite late, when he was about 50. A music expert told me an interesting aside about Pt Venkatesh Kumar – he is terribly scared of flying, and that severely restricts his appearance on the concert circuit. Kafi is supposed to be a light raga, but this Hori is nothing less than divine.
Raga Bhimpalasi: The birth of a song
3. Kandan karunei puriyam vadivel by Madurai Mani Iyer (Raga Bhimpalasi)
Something unique has been happening with me. After Durga and Kafi, I could not imagine that the next beauty I would meet with would be Bhimpalasi, another of my known romances. I had mentioned S Gopalakrishnan in the last year’s anniversary post and also posted Kesarbai Kerkar’s Bhairavi, Jaat kahan ho, he had shared with me in his mail. Among many he shared in the year gone by is Kandan karunai puriyam vadivel sung by Madurai Mani Iyer (25 October 1912 – 8 June 1968), regarded as one of the 20th century trinity of Carnatic music (along with his contemporaries Semmangudi Srinivas Iyer and GN Balasubramaniam). The high praise has reference to the classic 18th century trinity of Tyagraj, Muthuswamy Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.
Gopalakrishnan never sends a song without an interesting story or his own musings spanning across music, literature and painting. Let us hear the fascinating story of the birth of Kandan karunai puriyam vadivel when Mani Iyer was totally carried away by Saraswati Rane’s iconic Bina madhur madhur kachhu bol:
“Madurai Mani Iyer (1912-1968) once heard the Hindi film song ‘Beena madhur madhur kachhu bol‘ from the 1943 Vijay Bhatt film ‘Ram Rajya’. The song set in the Raga Bhimpalasi, composed by Shankar Rao Vyas, was sung by Saraswati Rane, daughter of Ustad Abdul Karim Khan of the Kirana Gharana. Mani Iyer, the Carnatic maestro, was totally carried away by the song, and wished to have a similar composition in Tamil for his concerts and requested his poet-friend Guhan. Hence the famous Tamil composition ‘Kandan karunai puriyum vadivel‘ in Raga Bhimpalasi was born, and Mani Iyer made it immortal during his last one year in life and music. (Source: Charukesi, The Hindu, November 25, 2010)”
3A. Beena madhur madhur kachhu bol by Saraswati Rane from Ram Rajya (1943), lyrics Ramesh Gupta, music Shankar Rao Vyas
And let us refresh our memory of the eternal favourite again which was the inspiration for Mani Iyer’s Kandan karunai puriyam vadivel.
Raga Kafi/Kapi again: Now a doyenne of Carnatic music is inspired by a vintage Hindi film song.
4. Poonkuyil koovum by DK Pattamal
It is not for nothing that I express my gratitude to the readers for making the blog what it is. As I was soaking in the bliss of Kandan karunai puriyam, inspired by Beena madhur madhur kachhu bol, our respected reader Gaddeswarupji posted an article by S Sriram, from his blog, how Kalki Krishnamurthy was inspired by KL Saigal’s Baalm aye baso more man mein to compose the song Poonkuyil koovum pooncholayil oru naal. This was sung by DK Pattamal, one of the ‘female trinity’ of Carnatic music (along with MS Subbulakshmi and ML Vasanthakumari). Incidentally, this happens to be her birth centenary year and the tenth death anniversary year (19 March 2019 – 16 July 2009); therefore, it is a great honour to pay my tribute to her with this song. Gaddeswaruji posted it on the Open House. I suspect it escaped the readers’ attention, and it deserved to be highlighted.
Tarapad Chakravarty
5. Bone bone papiya bole by Tarapad Chakravarty
I was not aware of Tarapad Chakravarty – at best I might have heard his name – until I came on the mailing list of Gopalakrishnan. Ten years ago, 2009 was his centenary year. This article in The Telegraph on that occasion shows how highly this unheralded master was regarded by the connoisseurs and the great maestros. I have recently received the revised edition of HQ Chowdhury’s “Incomparable Sachin Dev Burman”, and I am now more aware of Tarapad and other music maestros of that era in Bengal. Among his many renderings available on the YT, I especially like Bone bone papiya bole.
The fountain of sweetness Chitragupta
6. Ek baat hai kahne ki aankhon se kahne do by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar from Samson (1964), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Chitragupta
On the last few anniversaries I have posted film songs that I heard for the first time in the year and which left me thoroughly mesmerised. Many of these songs came from the stable of SN Tripathi and his protégé Chitragupta. And here is another absolutely melodious Rafi-Lata Mangehskar duet from a perfect ‘C’ grade film, which made me sit up and exclaim where this song was hidden. I don’t think the song has been posted earlier. I have rarely heard this song, but it is the kind of a song which seems to have been with me forever.
7. Ek teer chala ke gori bijli gira ke mohe chhod ke akeli kahan jaye re by Chitragupta and Shamshad Begum from Nav Durga (1953), lyrics Ramesh Chandra Pandey, music SN Tripathi
The fountain of sweetness from SN Tripathi-Chitragupta is unending. Here Chitragupta sings a fabulous duet with Shamshad Begum under the baton of his mentor SN Tripathi. Only the audio of the song is available but it must be a frothy dance number. It seems we missed this song completely in the review of the best songs of 1953.
Some more discoveries
8. Diwana kah ke logon ne aksar mujhe bulaya hai by Mahendra Kapoor and Lata Mangeshkar from Majboor (1964), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music Kalyanji-Anandji
Kalyanji-Anandji were another synonym for sweetness, in the voices of Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar, especially in the 1950s and 60s. They would go on to compose some superhit songs for Mahendra Kapoor, picturised on Manoj Kumar, later in their career; and further down for Kishore Kumar and other singers, picturised on Amitabh Bachchan and all the leading actors, as they became one of the Big Three, including RD Burman and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. But from their early days here is a superb Mahendra Kapoor-Lata Mangeshkar duet, which has generally remained hidden.
9. Ayo re ayo re ayo re shubh din dekho aaj more angana by Manna Dey and Suman Kalyanpur from Bharat Milap (1965), lyrics Bharat Vyas, music Vasant Desai
From a romantic duet let us move to a classical-based dance duet from a mythological. The dance-song celebrates Ram’s coronation.
Pankaj Mullick discovered
10. Yun dard bhare dil ki awaaz sunayenge by Pankaj Mullick from Kapalkundala (1939), lyrics Arzoo Lakhanavi, music Pankaj Mullcik
We were familiar with only Piya milan ko jana from Kapalkundala. When I thought that I was already familiar with the best of his songs, I come across this beauty for the first time. I guess it might be new for most other readers too.
Disclaimer and Acknowledgement: The song links have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog does not claim any copyright over these songs, and acknowledges that the copyright rests with the respective owners, such as Saregama India Limited and others.
{ 137 comments… read them below or add one }
Ak ji,
Congratulations on the completion of another successful year SoY. A Journey that began 9 years before and going strong. That too a great year of blogging. A big achievement indeed. I am sure the 10th year will be greater than the previous 9 years.
I am sure you must have spent many hours, possibly even late nights. The hard work and the effort that goes to keep the blog going and to hold the interest of the flock all through, demands a big applause and appreciation too. I know you are a teetotaler, yet I would call for a celebration with Champagne. A kiss on the rim of the wine glass would do no harm, so it is time to pop the cork.
I am a number cruncher, and it is sometimes hard to keep me away from Statistical analysis. I am almost ready with my tables for the blog’s anniversary and will posting/ sending them soon.
Lastly I owe a lot to SoY and you. The association and participation of all the members is the best gift that one can expect.
With best wishes for many more years of harmonious association.
Akji,
BTW, nice to see the familiar format back again. Forgot to mention earlier.
Congratulations to AK ji and all the family of SOY on completing 9 years. I pray for many more years of growth and happy music of yore .
AK ji,
Hearty Congratulations and Many Thanks for 9 years of SOY.
May the tribe on the blog increase manifold.
Mahesh
Congratulations, AK, on the anniversary! Here’s looking forward to many more years of SoY.
Congratulations to AK ji and ALL OF US. I consider SOY family. I eagerly await the new posts, the comments, the bonhomie.
To many more Musical years….
बार बार दिन ये आए
बार बार दिल ये गाए
SOY रहे हमेशा जवान
ये मेरी है आरज़ू…….
N Venkataramanji,
Thanks a lot for your generous words and good wishes. You are one of the pillars of this blog. Looking forward to your statistics. Yes, I too prefer the old look. The changed look in between was necessitated by some compatibility issues with the enhanced security features. My daughter, who is into software, takes care of such technical issues.
S Joseph,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation and good wishes.
Mahesh,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation and good wishes.
Madhu,
Thanks a lot. It is a pleasure to have you as a fellow blogger and a regular at SoY.
Dr Shetty,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. You have aptly said congratulations to ALL OF US. You are a proof that the readers have made this blog. You are one of the newest members, but have already become an object of envy for your instant recall of songs.
Happy birth anniversary to all. I liked the idea of Dr Shetty, remembering with a song. The song ‘badhai ho badhai janamdin ki tumko, janamdin tumhara milenge laddu humko’ came to my mind which is apt to the situation, because we all benefit from SOY going from strength to strength. But, you have used a wrong word ‘envy’. I think everyone takes pride in the contributions of Dr. Shetty as well as all others. Actually envy is missing – except for good humour – in SOY members. Even the strongest critics like Mumbaikar8 and me have only betterment of the blog in mind.
Regarding the songs posted by you, the first half is not my cup of tea and from the second half only no. 10 was new to me. Song no. 6 was discussed in the Lata-Chitragupta post.
I here post a song from a forgotten film with a forgettable name ‘adventures of robinhood – 1965’. The song ‘mana mere haseen sanam’ is a gem composed by GS Kohli and sung by Rafi. After watching the song everybody would exclaim ‘what a haseen jodi’ of hero and heroine.
AK ji,
Congratulations on completion of 9 years of SOY.
-AD
Hans,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. You have been a formidable commenter, and you rightly mentioned Mumbaikar8, too. Some readers have enjoyed our ‘nok-jhonk’ from the sidelines. It has been a great SOY family, and you two have added a great deal to it.
Arunji,
Thanks a lot.
Thank you AK. What more can a music lover ask for than this collection of rare gems to mark the 9th anniversary of my favorite blog. You begin with the amazing nazm set to raga Durga, and end with an equally amazing find from Pankaj Mullick.
May you and your blog go from strength to strength. Let’s do something special for the tenth anniversary next year.
Congratulations AKji for completing nine successful and melodious years of SoY.
I have a reader just for two years, but now it’s a part and parcel of my daily activities. You always come up with unique ideas and execute those ideas with great enthusiasm. I look forward to many such anniversaries to celebrate on SoY.
You are a very kind person, a keen observer and so helpful to others.
I congratulate all the readers of SoY too!
One correction,
‘Ek Baat Hai Kehne Ki’ the female singer is Suman Kalyanpur and not Lata Mangeshkar. If you listen carefully, in the first opening aalap itself, you can clearly recognize Sumanji’s voice.
All the best AKji and congratulations again for completing nine years.
Anup
🙂
Hans ji,
I can’t believe it!
The next composer for the chorus post I have searched is G S Kohli! Noted down his song from his ? debut movie LAMBE HAATH,1960 last evening to be posted today!
AK ji,
Happy to see the old format again.
Feel more comfortable.
-AD
AK,
Congratulations on SOY reaching another milestone. Happy anniversary to you, other contributors and all the readers of SOY.
I joined midway and I can’t describe the pleasure I have received
by listening to the songs apart from enriching my knowledge about HFM. Even my general knowledge has improved after going through the well researched posts by Shalan ji, Rangan ji Venkatraman ji and others.
Thank you all.
Subodh,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I knew you would like the songs. Your own contribution in doing a series on classical music is immense. Time you thought about resuming it.
Anup,
Thanks a lot for your very generous words. You have yourself become a very dedicated blogger. Your correction I would be able to attend to later as I am travelling.
Dr Shetty
Such coincidences happen sometimes in the case of those who have common likings. GS Kohli has given some of my top favourite songs.
Anup
The Samson song is by Lata-Rafi only. Kindly have a look at discussion in the Lata-Chitragupta post from comment 29 onwards. Lata sometimes surprised by singing in Suman’s voice. Even the male voice of Rafi gives an impression that Mahendra Kapoor is singing. That has also happened in some songs.
Hansji,
You are correct. I somewhere read the Samson song as Sumanji’s. And as it was from 1964-65 period, it was quite believable too.
The echo effect in the song might have caused the effect. I carefully listened to it and oh my God! It’s Lata Mangeshkar.
Though their voices are quite similar, certain pronounciations make their voices sound completely different. I guess, the echo effect was responsible for my misunderstanding.
AKji,
You don’t have to correct anything. It’s my fault, not yours. For last so many years, I have been taking it as Sumanji’s song.
Anup
😀
AK & all of SoY friends;
Anniversary cheers !!! Warmest Congratulations all over again…..Another year, another great reason to celebrate .
A song to celebrate…..
Jhoomti Hai Nazar – Rafi, Asha…., Hatimtai …..S N Tripathi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R06cYj0MpKY
Arunji @19,
I also found the old template great to look at.
Giriji @20,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
Anup @25,
In any case I would have verified it before carrying out any correction. Thanks to Hans we are spared that botheration.
KS Bhatiaji @26,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation and your good wishes.
AK,
Congratulations on this great achievement.
Good wishes for many more to come.
Mumbaikar8,
Thanks a lot for your good wishes.
I am a silent reader of this great site. You have been doing a great service to the listeners like me. Congratulations! I am sure the journey will continue…
Jawahar,
Thanks a lot. Those in the background also count.
Akji,
Savored the feast of songs, covering various genres, perfectly suited for the celebration. The rich main course, starting with the Nazm in Durga, followed by Kafi Hori, the two Tamil compositions in Bhimpalasi & Sindhura/ Carnatic Kapi and the Bengali composition in Bahar were connoisseur’s delight.
The Faiz Nazm rendered by Tina Sani was new to me.
Pandit Venkatesh Kumar’s Kafi Hori presentation was a pleasant surprise to me. I was really delighted to find it posted here on this occasion. The specific reason…….. I will come to that later.
I came to know about the origin of the two Tamil compositions, ‘Kandan karunei puriyam vadivel’, ‘Poonkuyil koovum pooncholayil oru naal’, sometime back. In fact I responded on 29th May to the Gaddeswarupji posting of the song in Open House. While on the song ‘Kandan karunei puriyam vadivel’, there is another song penned by Kavi Subrahmanya Bharatiyar (11 December 1882 – 11 September 1921), set to Raag Bhimpalasi. I would like to know which composition came first. Can you check up with S Gopalakrishnan on this?
‘
Here I a link to the song ‘Vellai Thamarai Poovil Irupaal’by Nityashree Mahadevan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_o8mDk6e28
Nityashree is the granddaughter (paternal) of D K Pattammal. Her maternal grandfather was the renowned Mridangam Vidwan Palakkad Mani Iyer.
And Sangeetacharya Tarapada Chakravarty’s (another well know name in this part of the country) rendition was indeed delightful. I would like to share some information on him later.
The four film songs of Chitragupt, S N Tripathi, Kalyanji-Anandji and Vasant Desai were also new to me. Thank you for sharing them. I was aware of the lesser-known song of Pankaj Mullick from Kapal Kundala. Happy to listen to it again in this forum.
Thank once again.
Finally I would like to present a Nida Fazli’s superb Ghazal, composed by Khayyam, later adapted and modified for the movie Ahista Ahista (1981). There are two version, the female version rendered by Asha Bhosle and the male version rendered by Bhupinder Singh. Most of you may be aware of the Ghazal, to me it was a recent find and a lovely one too. Here is the Bhupinder Singh’s version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ele3pNFcv_Y
Hearty congratulations on the 9th anniversary of SOY to Mr AK & his team.
On this occasion I put forward a suggestion. Why not a new column/post titled WHY I LIKE THIS SONG VERY MUCH is started inviting members to single out one particular song why they like it most.
The reason for selection can be, the melody content of the song, or its
lyrical quality, or the way the song is shot or acting of the stars on whom the song is focused last but not least great rendering etc.
For example I would chose waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitham from Pyasa
The way the song is shot – camera work brilliance of late V K Murthy,
lyrical richness and the rendering .
Hope some one will take forward it.
AKji,
Long live SoY and its creativity!
A very well written anniversary post and thoughtfully choosen very good medley of songs. That you began with remembering Faiz is a great idea. Thanks.
Venkataramanji @35,
Thanks a lot for your detailed response after revisit. I noticed that you had acknowledged Gaddeswarupji’s posting of Kandan karunei on the Open House. I was a little careless, I should have written, “…except N Venkataraman”.
Thanks a lot for posting Vellai thamarai. The Nityashree recording is obviously much later. But whether it is earlier composition, I have asked Mr Gopalakrishnan for confirmation. But I am not sure he would reply, because now his mails come from a group mail. I first wrote to him on his personal mail i.d., but I find it difficult to locate it now.
Mr R Vaudevan @36,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Your idea is very good. I have written a post on a single song, Chalo ek baar phir se:
https://www.songsofyore.com/a-mahendra-kapur-sahir-ludhiyanvi-ravi-classic/
There are many blogs which write very nice articles on a particular song. So you have an idea what kind of write-up would be good for a post. I am always open to posting guest articles which enhance SoY.
Sacindraji @37,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
Happy*Happy Birthday to SoY. Congratulations to Akji and the SoY team for a highly successful journey which is poised to advance further for many more years with similar enthusiasm…great.
Venkataramanji,
Apropos #35, 38. I asked Mr Gopalakrishnan. He sent me this link without any explanation. I don’t think it answers your query, though Nityashree’s recording seems to be not very old.
https://karnatik.com/c1480.shtml
Jignesh,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. You have been silent for a while, looking forward to your more active participation.
Venkatraman ji , AK ji;
Time is the narration of the past …..and mind , they say ,travels faster than any thing else in the space or universe ….and may not be measured by light years also . But classical music and songs are a few of stations where mind pause for refueling for further backward journey .
A few such songs to give a breather to life….
Ankh Ka Tara / Matrabhakti 1932: Deejo darshan mujhe bansi ke bajaane waale (Indubala Devi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8emUcswK9To
Madhuri 1932: Paramukh bani tu kamalaa mohe kaahe sharmaaye (Vinayakrao Patwardhan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmoFH_TQVY0
And here is probably one of the earliest western style song ….really amazing !!
Karma 1933: Sab kuchh bhoole jhoola jhoole hanste khelen gaaye [record] (Devika Rani)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSsbleQxurg
Akji,
Needless to reiterate, Songs of Yore has become part of my life for so many years and I would like to share another passion which is close to my heart for the past fifteen years. The posting of Pandit Venkatesh Kumar’s Kafi Hori sent me on a nostalgic trip down the memory lane and made me remember event of recent past and beyond.
The link posted by you was part of a live program held on Sunday, the 8th January 2016, at Kolkata, organized by Lake Avenue Sebak Sangha .You must have noticed it in the beginning of the link. And I happen to be the Cultural Secretary of this club for the past 8 years and Pandit Swapan Choudhury is our Chief Patron. It was a grand evening of classical music and Pandit Venkatesh Kumar was in an upbeat mood, since Pandit Swapan Choudhury, the doyen of Lucknow Gharana was accompanying him on the Tabla that day. And that too the two stalwarts had come together for the first time, a deed yet to be repeated. Pandit Venkatesh Kumar rendered a Khyal in Sudhh Kalyan, followed by the Kafi number (posted by you). Then he rendered four more number – Bandishes in Raag Sohini & Tilak Kamod, a Bhajan-Payaoji maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo and lastly on my request he rendered a composition of Kanakadas, ‘Bhajare Hanumantham’. We had worked out an agreement with Kahon for the video recording of the program. Thanks a lot Akji. I am extremely pleased that the event has become a part of SoY’s 9th Aniversary celebration.
Here I would like to post the next part, a rendition in Sohini by Pandit Venkatesh Kumar. Please listen to it; I am sure you would love it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wwJEo6vGvI&list=RDDFqqyzKUmjs&index=4
Akji @ 42,
Yes, I know and you are right. Nityashree’s recording is recent. I posted it present a fresh voice. The Song Vellai Thamarai in Bhimpalasi, was recorded by all the three ‘female trinities’ of Carnatic music, M S Subbalakshmi, D K Pattammal and M L Vasanthakumari. M L Vasanthakuari rendered this song for the Tamil film ‘Thai Ullam’ in the year 1952. The earliest Bharathiyar song used in films, that I am aware of, was for the film ‘Irumbu Thirai’ (1947). I was curious to know whether ‘Kandan Karunai Puriyum Vadivel’ was composed before or after ‘Vellai Thamarai Poovil Iruppai”.
I will be in search for the answer. Thanks for the effort.
AK ji,
Congratulations on completing 9 years of SoY. I have been following SoY for about three years now and I can now admit to being addicted to it. I look forward to a new post not fully knowing what to expect. It never ceases to amaze.
The erudition of AK ji and the thoughtful and elaborate guest posts by the veteran followers of SoY makes the blog scholarly, informative and inclusive.
SoY has surely helped me enhance my understanding of hindi film music and its association with Indian classical music ( I regularly listen to Vividh Bharti’s Sangeet saritha).
I wish AK ji all the best and hope that he continues the blog with the same amount of passion and energy.
Bhatiaji @ 44
‘Time is the narration of the past …..and mind , they say ,travels faster than any thing else in the space or universe ….and may not be measured by light years also . But classical music and songs are a few of stations where mind pause for refueling for further backward journey .’
Well said. Why don’t you write articles? You have plenty of anecdotes, memories etc.etc at your store. Hansji has rightly commented about your poetic abilities. You have all the ingredients to do a post.
Thank a lot for posting the three songs. Awesome renditions by Angurbala & Vinayak Rao Patwardhan.
I was aware of the Devaka Rani’s song, and there is a similar composition of Rabindranth Thakur. I would share the details at an appropriate post in future. And by the way, Devika Rani was related to Rabindranath Thakur, both from her paternal as well as maternal side. He paternal grandmother, Sukumari Devi was the sister of Rabindranath and Devika Rani’s mother, Leela Devi Choudhary, was the niece of Rabindranth.
Time for another vintage song
Ras Bhare Bain Tore Baalam by Surendra, film Gram Kanya (1936), music Shankar Rao Khatu, lyrics: ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo1VLCbkDnQ
AK and the family of SoY
Here is my Babbling, jabbering for the occasion. I hope it will go down well with AK and SoY friends.
On The Eve of a Thriving Decade
Standing at the brink of a first decade
Looking at the apex of the Index
You boy, you boy have achieved
The gruelling way to the Everest
With diligence, hard work and imagination
Persistence and patience and respect
For all the supporters and contributors
Yes boy, yes boy you have achieved
The sweet smell of success and fable!
Shalan Lal
The following school poem inspired the above nattering:
TRY AGAIN
from THE BEACON THIRD READER by James H. Fassett
Drive the nail aright, boys,
Hit it on the head;
Strike with all your might, boys,
While the iron’s red.
When you’ve work to do, boys,
Do it with a will;
They who reach the top, boys,
First must climb the hill.
Standing at the foot, boys,
Gazing at the sky,
How can you get up, boys,
If you never try?
Though you stumble oft, boys,
Never be downcast;
Try, and try again, boys,
You’ll succeed at last.
Have a good time boys and girls as ” Acche Deen” “Aakhir Aaa Gaye” for the SoY.
Shalan Lal
Venkatraman ji@46,
The earliest film to feature Subrahmanya Bharathi songs is Naam Iruvar of 1947. (Irumbuthirai was released in 1959, I think).
In fact AVM had the copyright of his songs, which they gave to the government for’nationalising’ them.
Giriji @ 50,
Both the information provided by you are right.
In fact Irumbu Thirai (1960) did not have any Bharathiyar songs. I had Naam Iruvar in mind, but wrote Irumbu thirai instead. However I have mentioned the year as 1947. Thanks for the correction.
After the untimely demise of Bharathiyar, his widow and two daughters, compelled by their utter poverty, sold the rights of Bharatiyar’s work to AVM for a sum of Rupees Nine thousand five hundred (then a princely sum). Since it/he held rights for the songs, AVM used many of the Bharathiyar’s poems in their Tamil films, such as Naam Iruvar (1947), Vedhala Ulagam (1948) & Vazhkkai (1949), all in the music compositions of Sudarsanam. I believe many of these songs are popular in the very tunes that Sudarsanam composed them.
Venkataramanji @45,
This is amazing. I knew Pt. Venkatesh Kumar was singing at a Jalsa in Kolkata, but that you were one of the organisers, and you heard his Kafi live there, which I happened to post on SoY 9th anniversary is unbelievable coincidence. Pt. Kumar combines a booming metallic voice with superb melody and sweetness. Not many singers have this quality. That is why he has become my such a great favourite. His joy in performing that day is obvious. Thanks for sharing his Sohani. Anything he sings I like.
@46,
Vellai thamarai by the Female Trinity – you have given me something to look for. That must be something.
Mr Vishwanath @47,
Thanks a lot for your generous words and your good wishes. We look for more silent admirers to participate regularly.
Happy Birthday to SoY, AK. 🙂 Hope there’s many more years of blogging to come and many more songs to discover and ‘rediscover’.
Anu,
Thanks a lot for your greetings and good wishes.
In his introduction to this post, AKji wrote and I quote,
“After about the fifth year, I have been approaching each anniversary of the Songs of Yore with some apprehension whether it has been able to hold the readers’ interest and maintain quality. As I look back on the ninth year completing today, I am quite satisfied…….”
True, AKji has every reason to be more than satisfied. Looking at the figures, especially for the past four years there was no ground for any apprehension whatsoever. Over the years SoY has been successfully maintaining its high standards and sustained readers’ interest. Not a mean achievement to sustain the interest of the participants for nine long years. A quick look at the statistics will reveal some pleasing facts and figures. In all, 292 articles and more than 21000 comments were posted. Here is the year wise break up table.
Looking back, 2018-19 was another great year, maintaining the momentum set in the previous years. AKji, along with our guest writers posted 35 articles this year (2018-19). And the total number of comments for the year 2018-19 (3360) has exceeded that of 2017-18 (2969) by almost 12%. Thus the average comments per article for 2018-19 (95) is the highest ever since 2010-11, maintaining an average of 80 or 80+ for the fourth consecutive year. Such a growth rate is anybody’s dream, not really sustainable. SoY has made the impossible possible, repeatedly for the past four years. I feel an average between 50 and 60 comments per article reflects a very healthy sign.
Like the previous year, almost one-third of the articles were set aside for guest writers, Shalanji (5) and Ranganji (4) were the main contributors with Sangeetaji and Ashwinji chipping in with an article each. Subodhji extended his expertise to one of Ranganji’s posts. In all 11 guest posts this year. Out of the 75 Guest posts since the beginning, Ranganji contributed 18 articles in the last four years, thus moving to the top, followed by Ashok Vaishnavji (15), Subodhjil (12), Shalanji (8), Ravindra Kelkarji (6), Ashwinji (2) and one each by Sangeetaji, Anuji, Shikhaji (Biswas), Sadanandji (SSW) and Sharadji (Dutt). The remaining few were my contribution. AKji has mentioned that the guest writers have significantly enhanced the blog. I join AKji in expressing my heartfelt thanks to all of them.
Drawing an analogy to the limited over cricket match, I divided the last year (2017-18) into three phases, the opening overs, the middle overs and the slog overs. To cut a long story short, the average comments for each of the phase were, 87, 44 and 124 respectively, the overall average for that year touching an all time high of 87 comments per posts.
Compared to last year, how did SoY fare this year (2018-19).
The first 20 posts attracted, on an average, 64 comments per post, which was as such quite good, as stated earlier. Only slightly less than the overall average for the past 8 years (69), but definitely a big slump from the previous year’s average (87). To catch-up with last year’s average seemed to be an uphill task, almost at an average of 120 comments from the last 15 posts. But, in reality it exceeded even the last year’s achievement. The last 15 posts attracted almost 62% of the total comments for this year at an average of 138 comments per posts. A stunning performance indeed. Thus the overall average for the past nine years moved up to 72, setting a revised benchmark for the future years.
How this turn around happen.
The first 20 articles had only three 100+ posts- ‘Songs of Yore completes 8 years’ (115), the tandem guest post by Ranganji and Subodhji – ‘Roshan & Madan Mohan: Twin Towers of Rhapsody’ (117) and ‘Madan Mohan’s tuning with Lata Mangeshkar’ (113). Out of the 20 posts 10 were on Roshan and/ or Madan Mohan. Four were on Best songs of 1947. Two guest post each by Ranganji (on Suraiya and Sajjad Hussain) and Shalanji (on Meena Kapoor and Faint echoes of October Revolution). The rest two were by AKji- ‘Song of yore completes 8 years’ and a review of Arunji’s book. Coincidentally (and unfortunately too) this was the period I was absent from SoY. If I have to mention one article that I would have liked to participate is the one by Shalanji – ‘Faint echoes of October revolution’. I did go through the post later. But I thought it was too late to comment.
Sangeetaji’s post on Madan Mohan (103) proved to be the lucky charm. That was the last post of 2018. Come New Year and Ashwinji brought about a huge swing with his post ‘Swing a song of six pence’ (219). AKji followed with three more century-posts – “Greatness in the Shadow of Giants: Shyam Sundar” (133), “Romancing the Pardesi” (166), “Tujhe Chand ki bahane dekhun ki chhat par aa ja goriye” (148). Not to be left behind, Ranganji came out with another century post on Madhubala (104). Now there was no looking back. AKji once again produced two double century posts – “The silent giant killer and the man of many splendoured talents: Ravi” (215), “ Barahmasa in film songs” (239), and three century posts – “The real mesmeriser Talat Mahmood” (115), “The unified theory of fools” (109), a masterpiece, and “Vyakaran, Uchcharan aur Utpeedan” (159). Who would have thought that this apparently non-musical post will bring melody to AKji’s ears? Shalanji completed the tally with her trilogy on chorus songs, the last part drawing 140 comments. Thus said, the major share of the pie should go to the readers whose prolific contributions brought about this turn around. And Bhatiaji and Shettyji led from the front.
Here is another table depicting the year-wise break-up of comments between AKji’s posts and Guest writer’s posts. The figures speak for themselves.
The “Open House” page, started on a suggestion from Hansji on 4th November 2014 has attracted 1222 comments till 2018-19. This year the page received more than 200 comments. The introductory page, “About” Songs of Yore, also started in November 2014, too received 61 comments till date. In all SoY has been receiving 3000+ comments for four consecutive years. Thus more than 22000 comments have been posted in SoY in the last 9 years.
I have taken into consideration all the comments posted before 9 am on 7th June 2019.
Only ONE word- Fantastic !
Both Venkataraman ji’s statistical wonder and AK ji’s performance.
Congratulations and Best Wishes for the future.
-AD
Arunji,
Thanks a lot again for your generous words and good wishes.
Congratulations to SoY for a well-traveled journey of 9 years – a journey where many readers have been the contributors too.
In the early years I would read through the article once, then take time to take the content in in small bites and then keep revising to read the comments. Now a quick look visit just does not whet the appetites. The variety of subjects and depth of each post now demands that you read each post only when you have a good solid block of time.
May this journey move on for many more years and not only keep us readers refresh our memory of the songs that we had started forgetting as well as add the pleasure of listening to many more of unheard songs – with a kaleidoscopic view point.
Venkataramanji @56,
How do you get these numbers would ever remain a mystery to me. I have to admit I would not be able to compile such tables though it is my blog. But this is very helpful to me as an overview, if I have to refer to some numbers relating to the blog, such as how many Guest Articles Mr DP Rangan has written. I can’t thank you enough for this effort which shows your great love for this blog.
Frankly, I don’t know how we have reached here. I just wrote, without knowing anything about blogging, and without caring for promoting it. I have been extremely lucky that so many great people joined on the way.
Ashokji @59,
Thanks a lot for your generous words. You have been one of the pillars of SoY. You conceptualised and carried almost entirely on your shoulders the Mega Series on Multiple Version Songs.
AK ji,
@ 60
Majrooh Sultanpuri said it on your behalf, I suppose !
maiñ akelā hī chalā thā jānib-e-manzil magar
log saath aate ga.e aur kārvāñ bantā gayā
-AD
Arunji @ 57
Thank you for your encouraging words.
& 62
Very aptly put. Thanks once again.
You add a lot of value to the blog and your active participation is big source of inspiration to us.
AKji @ 60
It is no mystery. Yes it requires some effort to track and crunch the numbers. Else the figures are available in the blog itself. I glad that it will be of help to you. Thanks a lot for the appreciation.
Venkataramanji
Thanks for the fabulous statistics. Those who go into statistics know that the best part of collecting them is presentation and you have such a superb way of presenting them. Your stats have put the journey of SOY in a clearer perspective. They also show what kind of posts are more attractive to readers. I know in the past couple of years some of us old prolific contributors have been lethargic, but the space has been taken up by friends like Dr. Shetty and now Mr Joseph is also posting a lot. Bhatiaji is always there. In addition to the numbers the quality of the content is more important. You have rightly praised Arunji, but it would be bad on our part if we do not acknowledge your contribution. I know you are more busy than you tell us, but whenever you find time you provide us with info which is the best and your knowledge is really on multiple subjects. So SOY is a combo of numbers as well as quality. Here are two lines
जब लोग आएंगे तो अच्छे भी होंगे, बुरे भी
जब लोग ही न होंगे तो अच्छा क्या बुरा क्या
The same is true for people as well as comments or opinions.
Hansji @ 65
Thanks a lot. I feel embarrassed by your generous appreciation.
You are absolutely right. “So SOY is a combo of numbers as well as quality”. Even the silent admires and men of few words transmit a lot of wisdom.
Bure Bhale Hum Thare, Shabad Kirtan by Bhai Hakam Singh Ji
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWtv0DuJzio
Hansji, Akji,
Hansji’s comment prompted me write about the readers of SoY.
Readers bring in a wealth of information on various topics and add immense value to the blog. It is time to have a look at the reader’s participation in the past. This section is a vast area and I could not do a thorough job as I would have liked to do. I might have overlooked some important names and had the years wrong. I will try to improve upon it in future.
Just for the record sake, Suchi and Abhigyan were the two people to post their comments in SoY in the inaugural post in 2010. Akji’s first post in SoY was a review of a Hindi film,’ Well Done Abba: Mainstreaming of the ‘Muslim’ in Hindi films’. The blog turned musical from the second post with ‘Door Papiha Bola’, one of the sweetest posts of early SoY. But that post went unnoticed till September 2012. The third post was ‘Twin songs: A front runner and a laggard’. And the blog started to pick up steam from here. Although this post gathered only 23 comments within the SoY’s first year, over the years the post has attracted 172 comments. And this post can be considered as the precursor to the Multiple Version Songs Series initiated by Ashok Vaishnav. Gaby, Harvey, Dharam, Sanjay Prakash, Vaishampayan, & AM were some of the members who were very active during the toddling stages of SoY. We will remember Vaishampayan and AM as long as the Best Songs Award Series continues, since they were the prime movers behind this series.
And this brings me to some of the earliest members of SoY who are active even now. Both Subodh Agarwal & Arvind Chugh are with SoY from the inaugural year. Dusted Off, Anu Warrier, Arun Kumar Deshmukh & Ashok Vaishnav are with us from 2011. Subodh Agarwal, Anu Warrier, Ashok Vaishnav and Dusted off were very active then. We will like to see them more often. Arvind Chugh is not exactly a silent reader, but man of few comments but I am happy that he has posted more comments this year than before. Arun Kumar Deshmukh, a veteran in this field is ever ready with his encyclopedic memory, but he seldom posts songs. In the last three posts on chorus songs we were delighted see him in his new ‘Avataar’.
2012 was the year I made my debut in SoY and if I my memory serve me right, Gaddeswarupji, Mumbaikar8, Jignesh Kotadia & KB made their appearance that year. Canasya, K S Bhatia & Hans Jakhar in 2013, Sadanand Warrier (SSW) & Arvinder Sharma in 2014, Shalan Lal, D P Rangan, Ashwin Bhandarkar, Ravindra Kelkar, Ashok Kumar Tyagi & Siddarth in 2015, Anup (MMM) in 2017. Pradip Kumar Shetty in 2018.
Gaddeswarupji provides us with very insightful and interesting links, articles and information from time to time. Arvinder Sharma and Jignesh Kotadia were once very active and regular. We will like to see both of them back in action. Both Shalan Lal & Hans Jakhar provide us with incisive, well thought out comments. Both of them along with Mumbaikar8 are candid and do not mince words. D P Rangan & Ashwin Bhandarkar graduated as guest writers within a short period speaks volumes about their potential.
Thus SoY’s tribe has grown over the years.
To be continued………
Akji, Hansji,
Picking up threads from where I left @67.
Exactly 100 readers, apart from AKji, participated in the comments section in the year 2018-19. Being the master of the blog, AKji contribution in the comments section is bound to be the highest and one will find him in all the posts.
Last year (2018-19) 16% of the readers contributed 84 % of the comments and 84% of the readers contributed the rest 16%. Pareto distribution? The readers who contributed 84 % of the comments were K S Bhatia, Pradeep K Shetty, Shalan Lal, Hans Jakhar, Mumbaikar8, Ashwin Bhandarkar, Anup (MMM), Arun Kumar Deshmukh, D P Rangan, Sangeeta Gupta, Pramod Godbole, Harpreet SIngh, Canasya, S Joseph, Sadanand Warrier (SSW) & myself. More than one-third of the comments were posted by just three readers. K S Bhatia and Pradeep K Shetty were the most prolific commenters. Sangeeta Gupta, Pramod Godbole, Harpreet Singh & S Joseph are relatively recent entrants and already they are making a mark.
But there are innumerable silent-readers too, who does not post any comment at all. And there are others who post very few comments. But their significance to SoY is no less in any way. There is no way to know the silent readers. But if one scans through the “About” page, one can find postings from such silent readers. One of them, Aditi Pathak says that she is a silent reader for about 2 years. Visweswaran also states that he has been a silent reader of the blog for 5 years. Malay Da, in the last year’s anniversary post has mentioned that he too is a silent reader for some time. In fact he had posted a comment in the “About” page in the previous year. Similarly many who have stumbled upon this blog are sure to continue as silent readers. I expect some of them to post comments from time to time. I have feeling that the silent followers may be more than the active ones!
Out of the readers who posted lesser number of comments last year, I would like to mention a few names. E Vishwanathan has been posting comments only in the anniversary articles, rest of the year he prefers to be a silent reader. The same goes for Dibakar Bala too. Jawahar, another silent reader posted three comments last year. Raunaq (2011), Gulab Shah (2013), Naresh Mankad (2013), RSBAAB Ravi (2013), Rakesh Srivastav (2013), Anil Kane (2014) are there with us for a long time but they have less visibility. Earlier Naresh Mankad was a regular participant. Dinesh Jain, Uma Maheshwar Nakka, Chellamani R Athzhavallur, Giri, Vasudevan are few other names that I would like to mention here. It seems Dinesh Jain is more active in the ‘Open Page’. Sachindra Prasad another new entrant last year seems to be quite active. Hope to see him often.
We were privileged to have among us Surjit SIngh, Atul (Atul Song A Day), Sudhir Kapoor & Manek Premchand in the comments section. All of them are Store house of information on Hindi films of Yore and its music.
Last year in all we had 35 articles/posts. I am presenting the list of readers (10) who had visited the maximum number of posts, no matter how many comments they posted in all. K S Bhatia (34), Canasya (33), Shalan Lal (31), Anup (MMM) (30), Mumbaikar8 (30), Pradeep K Shetty (29), Ashok Vaishnav (29), Arun K Deshmukh (27), Hans Jakhar (20) and D P Rangan (20).
Bhatiaji is the clear leader in both the fronts (number of comments & no. of posts visited). His in depth knowledge on Hindi film music, anecdotes, interesting information adds great value to the blog.
SO THE BEST READER AWARD FOR THE YEAR 2018-19 goes to K S BHATIA.
Pradeep Kumar Shetty and Shalan Lal jointly share the second spot.
And the third spot goes to Mumbaikar8.
SoY has a strong, spirited and dedicated team with a solid reserve bench and an experienced support force. Wishing and hoping for many more years of fruitful blogging.
Venkataramanji,
Your last two comments again show your awesome prowess for perseverance and detail. I am abashed to say again and again how impressed I am. But I can’t help saying that on the entire blogosphere there is only one person who deserves the award, “The reader who knows more about the blog than the blogger himself“. And the Award goes to N Venkataraman.
Ref.68.
Can you please elucidate on the para beginning with last year in all we had
35 etc………
Vasudevanji @ 70,
“Ref.68. Can you please elucidate on the para beginning with last year in all we had 35 etc……”
I have tried to look at the reader’s participation from two viewpoints.
1. The total number of comments posted by a particular reader for the entire year.
2. The number of articles visited by a reader for the same period.
I feel the first point was clear to you. Let me try to elucidate the second point. If you look at the table @56, you will find that the total number of articles posted in the year 2018-19 were 35. For example the first article was the anniversary post, “Songs of Yore completes 8 years” and the last post was “Chorus song in the Hindi Films of Yore: Part 3”. In between these two articles, there were another 33 posts. I have compiled the number of articles visited by each of the readers. Let me cite two extreme examples. Neeruaha visited only one article “Best Songs of 1946- and the winners are”, whereas she posted 13 comments. On the other hand Canasya visited 33 of the 35 articles, and he posted 48 comments in all.
You had visited 8 articles and posted 18 comments.
Somebody might have posted over 100 comments in 2 articles, and somebody else might have posted 50 comments spread over 30 to 35 articles. I wanted to cite that both the viewpoints are important.
Sorry my earlier comment lacked clarity. I hope I could give you a satisfactory reply.
N Venkataraman ji,
Brilliant number crunching!
Why am I not highly surprised?
Because, as a successful Auditor you have it in you. Moreover, Mahalanobis and Indian Statistical Institute would have rubbed off some of their wisdom on the Jamata of Kolkata.
On a more serious note, absolutely fantastic statistics that needs patience and focus. Thank you.
I,too, believe there must be many silent readers of the blog.
Venkatraman ji has given an excellent 2019 birthday performance report for the SOY group. It is a great effort. Venkatraman ji loves mathematics and statistical analysis. When one reads his 4 articles in this connection ,I would say that there is much more in this . Venkatraman ji has given a lot of information about SOY . I salute him.
I was looking at some of the words used in this SOY 9th anniversary statistical analysis on 11/6/2019 by Venkatraman sjmysore@gmail.com ji .
Words like … figures ,standards , achievement , momentum , % , average , ‘ made the impossible possible repeatedly ‘, sustain , phase , all time high , compared to last year , big slump , stunning performance , revised benchmark , future years , turn around , huge swing , centuries , major share of the pie ‘ etc.
These words one can see on almost all Company CEO/CHAIRMAN ‘s AGM speeches ( posted mostly in Economic Times ) . Now I feel that SOY is not a family but something like a Corporate Entity.
The two articles of Venkatraman ji on 12/6 and one on 13/6 shows how minutely SOY participants are being watched.
I read and participate in SOY only when I am free . I know my limitations. But now I know that in SOY every move of the participants is monitored as in any Corporate body . This report of Venkatraman ji is pushing everyone to do something more.
AK ji himself has posted 24 lead articles ( average 2 per month ) which speaks a lot about his commendable dedication .
Venkatraman ji who has written the analysis of the year has very modestly not said anything about his own contribution . He is a priceless contributor in SOY .
But I know that SOY has many silent followers . Many of the very knowledgeable in this field of that generation are I would say , … not tech savvy / computer literate , not aware of SOY , unable to read English, do not simply like to participate , are too aged , are too busy etc.
With new Apps coming in everyday , I am sure a lot of information would become available on some new search engine . ( Say , a search engine as powerful as Wikipedia )
If we make an effort to bring in more participants it would contribute a lot to SOY .
Venkatraman ji;
Your Statistics analysis Speak of your victory….and I entirely agree with AK’s views @ 69…You are a clear Winner . Sometimes you must agree with someones opinion for the sake of being polite and modest…..but within you, your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more .
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships. Your aptitude, your attitude , what you do, how you do it …..is a great learning platform for us. So no deviations from the means and no best fit curves for the well defined data ….SoY are the joint winners who had more than Fevicol bond to share for ever with every one .
ksbhatia ji,
A bit late from my side.
I agree with everyone else that there is a poet and a story teller inside you.
Many places lived in and travelled to,vast exposure in life, sights and sounds absorbed deeply and stored well within the depths of your nostalgia box… must have all contributed to this wonderful facet of yours. Moreover, you come across as a very sincere and friendly person.
Go from strength to strength and be a strong pillar of the Music Mansion ,SOY.
AK ji
Congrats. The blog has progressed so well, Goddess Saraswati has showered SoY with wisdom and bliss.
To quote John Masefield, inaccurately:
Laugh and be merry, better the world
With a song.
Laugh and be merry together, like brothers akin.
Laugh till the game is played;
And be merry, my friends.
Best wishes for the future endeavors.
Ashok Tyagi.
Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty @75;
Thanks for your nice words which gladdens me a lot. Even we all are far away but heart to heart talk makes us all closer . Full of music and songs , as your heart possess , we all are beneficiaries of your talent …..injecting music in our veins.
Akji @ 69,
With utmost humility, I accept your award. When will the award-ceremony be held?
In SoY our association may be virtual to an extent, but I believe that we have developed a bonding relationship over the years. This a precious gift, especially during these days and at this age. And thanks to you AKji, we have get-together once in a year in the capital.
Subodhji has suggested that we do something special next year. A highly welcome suggestion. If we start planning right away, we can do it. It should be contributory as Dineshji had suggested in our last get together. Hope other member would respond with their suggestions.
Pradeepji @72
Thank you for your appreciation.
My professional background could be an influence to an extent, but I always had the passion for figures.
Mr.Joseph @73
Thanks for your generous words.
Song of yore is undeniably like the Great Indian Family bonded together by common interest. Borrowing from Bhatiaji’s comments, “Even we all are far away but heart to heart talk makes us all closer.” I would say every member of SoY (Silent, active and less active) is equally important. And we feel glad when we come to know that our efforts are being noticed and participation gets acknowledged.
With best wishes and thanks once again.
Bhatiaji@74
“We are all winners who had more than Fevicol-bond to share forever with everyone.”
I loved that statement. In the end we are all winners. Pradeepji @ 75 has described many a facet of yours. It is only matter of time we see you in new role as guest-writer. No hurry, take your time. All sportspersons accede to the request of their fan following. And we know you are a great sports-lover too.
Venkataramnji
Your embarrassment makes our day. 😉 Your further instalments of stats show more perspectives. Thanks for the same. I also came to know that I came to SOY in 2013 and there was a pleasant surprise when you said I joined 20 posts out of 35. I actually believed I was a lot lethargic in the last 2+ years.
AK
There may be people who raise an eyebrow on the annual SOY awards, but there would be none who would disagree with the awards given in comments 68 and 69. If Bhatiaji is missing from a post it is likely there is some problem. I remember once Bhatiaji was missing from 2 or 3 posts and I asked where is Bhatiaji. Then we came to know that he had some back problem. Same is the case with Venkataramanji. He would be either not well or awfully busy when he is absent. I think Dr Shetty is fast becoming indispensable for us. Sharmaji is more busy with his regular music meetings and is thus out of our reach. But, I have one worry – Mumbaikar8. Why she is not participating regularly. Is she busy with the kids.
Bhatiaji
“…..injecting music in our veins.”
These five words are very significant. They not only confirm Dr Shetty’s contribution but now you cannot deny that you do not have poetic talent.
Hansji @ 83
We saw Mumbaikarji in the post on Vyakaran & Uchcharan in Hindi films. Probably she could stand the Utpeedan she kept herself away from the chorus. Arvinderji last appearance was in the post on MD Ravi in March. Just one single comment. Ranganji must be very busy with his visits to Chennai and then to Calgary.
Reviewing my write-up @56, I found one glaring omission. While giving the break-up of 75 guest articles, I missed out Arun Kumar Deshmukh, who had contributed 3 posts so far. Sorry Arunji for the omission. I seek your pardon.
I also express my regret for the conspicuous grammatical mistakes, spelling mistakes, missing words etc which were quite large in number. I noticed them while doing a review. It was as embarrassing like when one forgets that the word ’embarrassing has two “r”s and two “s”s and misspell the word. It does happen to me.
I missed to mention the new feature that was added last year, the ‘Index Page’. The suggestion came from S Joseph and K S Bhatia. Thanks to Mr Joseph, Bhatiaji & AKji.
I noticed that five posts are missing from the index and peculiarly all New Year posts. I would request AKji to include them. Following are the missing posts.
1) “Anil Biswas: The Maestro and My Father” by Shikha Biswas Vohra, 1st January 2014
2) “The Jewel in the Crown of Naushad: ‘Rattan’ (1944)” by AKji, 1st January 2015
3) “पन्छी : An aviary of Songs” by Shalan Lal, 1st January 2016
4) “Steam behemoth rides in Bollywood “by D P Rangan, 1st January 2017
5) “It’s prose, It’s recitation, It’s a song” by AK, 1st January 2018
A few more observation,
Usually before we click into an article/ post, we can see the heading of the post along with the thumbnail image and the first 15 to 30 lines of the post. But in a few instances we find the entire post (barring the comments section) displayed. Here are a few examples.
“Chorus Songs in the Hindi Films of Yore: Part 3”
“Chorus Songs in the Hindi Films of Yore: Part 1”
“Barahmasa in film songs”
“In the Musical Memory of Meena Kapoor”
“Talat Mahmood: A Mesmeriser”
“Waterfalls in Bollywood”
“The three distinct phases of OP Nayyar’s career”
Again in some cases, the figure displayed in the comments counter, before you click into the post, differs from the actual number of comments. Here are few examples,
“Best songs of 1946: And the winners are?” Displayed figure 84, Actual 82
“The Unified Theory of Fools” Displayed figure 109, Actual 108
“Barahmasa in film songs” Displayed figure 239, Actual 238
The last two observations, I think, are minor technical anomalies which affect only the posts of the current calendar Year. Moreover it does not affect/hinder the general readers in any way. The simple solution is to display the current year’s posts in the “Index Page”. Then one need not scroll up and down to find the posts of the current year.
Last but not the least; AKji please convey our gratitude to your daughter for the technical support she has been providing year after year.
AK ji , Hans ji Venkatraman ji;
Open House is a nice platform and revisiting it again are surprises where anyone could make a statement ….specially in mini topics like …songs with whistles , yodeling and silent duet songs . What came forth were many seasoned actors of 60s working and appearing as major artistes in 40s. The discussions were for great length of time and every one responding . Mumbaikar 8 immediately responded to a sad song I posted….Do roz mein wo pyar ka aalam guzar gaya….one of the best of Mukesh songs . It is natural for to respond to finely worded songs . Similarly AK responded with……Bhatia where was this song all these years….when I posted a beautiful song from Bees Saal Baad….Aye mohabbat meri duniya mein tera kaam na tha ….really a treat for all of us . This again happened with Hans and AK ji when I posted a song from Nartaki …..Jeeven ke safar mein akele they hum .
If a person loss memories…only songs and music can bring it back . So live with memories that ….smells good sounds good .
Ae muhabbat meri duniya ….Bees sal bad ….Lata….Hemant Kumar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSoimHpvYhg
Zindagi ke safar mein akele the ham tum jo mile sahaara mila….Rafi …Nartki….Ravi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6pAb1y2TUY
do roz mein woh pyaar ka alam guzar gaya..Mukesh –….Pyar Ki Rahen Kanu Ghosh..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHz1W5nhAHg
N Venkataramanji,
Your latest comment read with the earlier comments @56, 67, 68 now completes the picture. The omission in Index I would pass on to my technical expert (by now you know who!) for resolution.
About mismatch in the counting of the comments, it has a simple technical explanation. If any other blog links a particular post, the counter counts it as a comment, therefore, sometimes the number in the counter is higher than the actual comments in the comment box. But the difference is sometimes shown in a line as ‘pingback’.
@78, Some awardees are so highly respected that the Award is handed over with due ceremony at their door-step. I might be in Kolkata September 26-29 when I would seek your indulgence to accept this Award. About your other thought I have written you a mail.
AKji @ 88
Thank you for the response.
It will be a pleasure to meet you in Kolkata during September end. Hope to be Kolkata then. The comment on award ceremony was in a lighter vein. Ceremony, rather celebrations OK. Your friendship is the most precious gift. Received and read your mail. And I have responded to it.
Congratulations to AK and to SOY family for completing 9 years of ever growing success and popularity.
And compliments also to AK for penning this unique anniversary write-up and musical selection.
Bhatiaji @ 87,
Pleasant recollections of the posts of the “Open Page”. And thanks for the posting those wonderful songs.Very often I feel there is a feeling of pleasure in pathos too.
BTW AKji & Bhatiaji , How about a brief “Hemant Ritu” from tomorrow?
Dinesh,
Thanks a lot for your greetings and generous words. Music lovers like you have have made this blog.
Venkataramanji @91,
‘Hemant Ritu’: You have done it so many times, that it can’t be a coincidence. You seem to have some incredible psychic powers. I wish the ritu was actually like Hemant. The Global Warming predicted for 2050 has already hit Delhi.
Congratulations for nine years completion as well as for selecting two songs tuned by Chitragupt !! Keep it up !
KB,
Thanks a lot for your greetings. I am happy you liked the songs composed by Chitragupta.
AKji:
I wish the SoY family many happy returns. And would like to make it double for Venkataraman ji, the birthday boy!
And what a way to celebrate it. This is one of the most lilting posts I have seen on SoY for years, so much so that I was able to read the text and listen to all the songs posted by you in one sitting, DK Pattmal’s ‘Poonkuyil koovum’, of course, taking the cake. Had I been in-charge of SaReGaMa, I would have immediately issued an album comprising just these songs.
Nobody deserves the award AKji @ 69 has spoken about more than Venkataraman ji. Arun ji and Venkataraman ji are the two rishis in our family. I consider Arun ji the Brahmarshi, calm and collected as the Pacific, but ever willing to bring out the gems of information to clear any doubts in the minds of us lesser mortals. Venkataraman ji, on the other hand, is the Rajarshi, about as sagacious, but also willing to encourage us kids in fun and frolic, nay, often participating even to double our enjoyment.
Competition authorities may be closing on Google, who knows more about us than we do ourselves. But there is no such danger for our Rajarshi. In fact, AKji may want to share the Wordpress stats about this blog with him, so that he could provide us with even deeper insights.
Comments in this post have been short on songs. So here is an earworm I am currently infested with (Chandani Mukherjee in ‘Kitne paas, kitne door’, MD: Chand Pardesi):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE4xIDQcRTk
AK ji,
Heartiest congratulations on completing 9 years of this awesome blog.
The blog over the years have only grown stronger. There is so much information, variety, entertainment, knowledge thanks to you and the wonderful and learned people who are an integral part of the blog.
I remember during my childhood I use to get up with the sound/noise coming out of our radiogram and seeing my parents desparately trying to tune the radio Ceylon station early in the morning followed by vividh Bharati station where the last song usually ended in Saigal’s voice. That started my fascination with songs of yore. After growing up and away from home I lost the touch with old songs but thanks to internet and SoY I am back among the melody. The more I listen to today’s songs and so called retro songs of 80s and 90s I appreciate old songs even more. All the people who worked in that era are praiseworthy.
I may be commenting less off late but I do read all the posts and yes all the comments.
I wish you and all SoY companions all the best for coming years.
Canasya,
Thanks a lot for your greetings and generous words. I am happy that you liked the songs. I think all of us come across a wide variety of songs from various sources, SoY anniversary posts give me an opportunity to share some which may not fit in a traditional post.
Our Rajarshi is also a clairvoyant, and a psychic. Borrowing your Google analogy, he knows more about the SoY than I do. The WordPress would have some more statistics, i. e. number of visits or hits would give some huge number. But I really don’t care nor look for numbers. It is the numbers who regularly comment and quality of the comments that is important. The Rajarshi has already covered it. I wish the silent readers, too, – and some of them are really very knowledgeable- start actively participating.
Chandrani Mukherjee song is very good. We have a huge number of outstanding songs, sung by singers who sang only a few songs, or composed by unfamiliar names.
Siddharth,
Thanks a lot for your greetings and good wishes. Yes, you have not been visible much. And it is surprising. I know you as an expert on Shankar-Jaikishan, ghazals and Pakistani singers. That’s a great deal for sharing your knowledge with us.
AK, @7
Many thanks to your daughter.
The new format of SOY gave me the feeling,
I get each time I visit Mumbai. “Is this place I spent 2/3 of my life?”
Thanks to her I feel at home!
Venkataramanji @ 56, 67,68
Your stats are mind boggling.
Believe me I am not saying this because somehow you have granted me an award.
I need to take some time management classes from you.
Hans @ 83
My children are all grown up and would be more than happy if I do not indulge in their affairs:-)
I try to stick to that.
My absence was just mental fatigue.
One sher instead of a song
‘ġhālib’-e-ḳhasta ke baġhair kaun se kaam band haiñ
roiye zaar zaar kyā kījiye haa.e haa.e kyuuñ
Canasyaji @ 96
Thank you for your wishes and appreciation.
Thanks also posting the song rendered by Chandrani Mukherjee. She sang a quite a number of songs from the 70s to 90s in more than 60 films. BTW she was the sister-in-law of Bappi Lahiri and was nominated for the filmfare award a few times.
Mumbaikarji
Thanks for your nice words. You are one of the active members of SoY. We were worried when you were not visible in the last three posts of last year (2018-19).
The KITNE PAAS KITNE DOOR song is arguably the most well known among Chandrani Mukherjee’s .
The other songs I associate her name with are:
Nazar aati nahin manzil…. KAANCH AUR HEERA,1972( Tandem…Rafi)
O re sajnwa saagar mein kyon aati hai toofan….PYASI NADI,1973…. with Mukhesh.
Bhabhi ki ungli mein heere ka challa .. TAPASYA,1976… with Hemlata.
Saheli O Paheli poocho… PAHELI,1977… With Hemlata , Suresh Wadkar.
Mohabbat rang laati hai Janab ahista ahista….POONAM,1981 with Rafi.
And
The very sweet
Pehchan thi pehchana nahin,GRIHA PRAVESH,1980.
I am surprised she went into total oblivion!
AK ji and everyone in the SoY family, many congratulations and heartfelt thanks for so much hard work and passion that goes in this blog. I am an infrequent visitor, but whenever I do land here to get a break, I find many gems to take home with me. This post in particular is stellar in its selection of songs/artists. I can just hope that some of this passion will rub off on me too. Thanks once again.
Malyada,
Thanks a lot for your greetings and kind words. We are happy to know of one more ardent silent admirer. If you have liked the song selection in this post, you have to be a passionate music lover.
Venkataramanji @104
I am thankful to Hans yourself and bhatiaji in helping me break the cocoon of mental fatigue but for the encouragement I couldn’t have posted so many songs yesterday, I would have just acknowledged the tribute.
Once again thanks to you’ll.
I discovered two Bhimpalasi / Abheri gems in this post, both of which I had not heard before. Here is another one by D K Pattammal, am sure many would have heard it.
https://youtu.be/54yIqReUGl4
Another gem in the same raga is Mysore Vasudevachariar’s ‘Bhaja Re Manasa’
I am partial to the rendition by her brother D K Jayaraman, this recording has a faster tempo, we had a cassette of it with a more meditative and slow version and I remember my mother listening to it endlesy. Here it is – https://youtu.be/WrQ6sWv-AeA
Maname Ganamum by Papanasam Sivan, again by the venerable D K Jayaraman – https://youtu.be/-NT9RQC3FHg
And of course the last word has to be from none other than Kumar Ji – https://youtu.be/3W89moYo3cc
As you can see, Bhimpalasi/Abheri is very close to my heart. Thanks.
Malyadaji
While discussing about silent admirers / readers of SoY (@68), and I miss spelt your name. I was not very attentive. Staying in Bengal, anything that ends with ‘Da’ seemed to be a Bengali name and I, nonchalantly decided that it should be Malay Da. I express my regret for the mistake. As far as I know Malyada is not a very common name. I have heard ‘Amuktamalyada’, an epic poem / story about Lord Vishnu and Andaal, composed by Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagarm. From the songs you have posted I conclude that you must be from the south, may be Tamizh Nadu.
@ 109,
I am listening to ‘Maname kanamum maravaadhey Jagadheesan malar padhamey’ rendered by D K Jayaraman after a long time. Thank you for posting those outstanding compositions in Bhimpals/ Abheri.
Bhimpalas, Abheri & Karnataka Devagandhari are similar sounding Raagams and very pleasing. Muthuswamy Dikshitar’s Panchashat Peeta Roopini, a composition in Devagandhari and Kanda Vandarul Taralahada in Abheri, composed by Papanasam Sivan are some of my favourites.
Mumbaikarji @108,
Thanks for getting back in style.
Malyada,
You have touched my heart, too, with your additions in Abheri/Bhimpalasi. DK Pattamal’s Eppadi padinaro is divine. I went through the comments on the YouTube link, and it was an eye opener for me. I got some sense of the meaning of the song – The devotee prays to the Lord that other devotees should also pray to Him in chaste Tamil (?).. Then the discussion degenerates into intra-Tamil racism, how the Dravidian movement has polluted the classical Tamil with their vernacular language, and so on.
Some people find it impossible to keep politics out of even music. That took me to TM Krishna, whose music I like a lot, though I find his politics very disconcerting, and quite senseless for a musician of his standing. Sure enough he, too, has sung Bhaja re manasa. I am sure you would like it.
Bhaja re manasa Shri Raghuveeram by TM Krishna
I found DK Pattamal’s, too, quite charming. I am not sure I would rate DKJ’s superior to her. The only problem is that the audio of her Part I on the YT is of very poor quality.
You are a kindred soul. Kumarji is also my ultimate. And in Ragas, my ultimate is Raga Durga. I don’t know whether you have read the romance of a novice with Raga Durga, whose climax is Kumarji.
https://www.songsofyore.com/a-novices-romance-with-raga-durga/
Wonderful collection. Only years of dedication can produce such results. THANK YOU.
Victor,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation.
Mumbaikar8
I am happy you understood my worry about you perfectly. You were quite regular in making appearances in the posts, but only for form’s sake. I was remembering the old days when AK had termed you discovery master, and when you were posting a lot of songs. Regarding mental fatigue, you know only good music can do wonders to remove the notion. Dr Shetty would agree with me that there is no such thing as mental fatigue and that is just a notion, which may creep into our mind due to several reasons. Music is a sure treatment.
Regarding our children, many gooni jans have spread weird notions. The world will not be the same the day we stop worrying about and advising children and others. It is strange that a person should need coaches, trainers and advisers on a daily basis in various fields of life, but parents who create and make them are intrusions.
Hansji @ 115
Matchless. You come out with pearls of wisdom.
AK@112
“Some people find it impossible to keep politics out of even music.”
I think music without politics is that of tweets, chirrups, kuhu kuhus, peehu peehus, etc. which comes free in nature. If a person needs 1 lakh to record a song and 10 lakh for a concert then that becomes business and commerce, and politics is a certain corollary of that.
Hans,
I agree with you that mental fatigue is just a notion, probably an excuse just being lazy.
Regarding children I do not agree with you I think Indian parents are intruders in their children’s lives, I believed that when I was a child and thankfully it has not changed when I am a parent. For me it is not out of compulsion but choice, in spite of being aware I feel I do overstep at times.
With professional help if they feel more confident of their decisions, good for them as long as they own the responsibility of them .
T M Krishna Video is missing.
“I find his politics very disconcerting, and quite senseless for a musician of his standing.”
I cannot understand why is it senseless for a musician to speak his mind.
In his interview with Hindu he says “ My political views changed because of my discovery of music.”
https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/tm-krishna-on-what-prompts-him-to-delve-into-different-interpretations-of-carnatic-music-and-take-on-the-orthodoxy-in-indian-music-and-culture/article25959729.ece
Mumbaikar8,
The second part of your comment is perhaps addressed to me. It seems YT does not allow that link to be embedded. This link should play on the YT.
Bhaja re manasa Shri Raghuveeram by TM Krishna
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=scuxqxe-OTw
The issue is not about speaking his mind. We often complain that artistes (generally referring to Bollywood stars) do not speak up on the burning socio-political issues. Our ‘wimpish’ stars are contrasted with Hollywood where it is quite common for the celebrities to speak up. In the mid-20th century, it led to heavy-handed retaliation by the authorities, in the wake of McCarthyism, and ‘Blacklisting’ of a large number of artistes from the entertainment industry.
A classical singer in the Indian system (Hindustani or Carnatic) takes you to a spiritual plane. I would still grant that there are times when we can’t expect a classical singer to keep his lips sealed. The problem with TM Krishna is not about his speaking up, but his degenerating into “vitriol, anger, hate and colourful language“ (his own words in the interview you have linked). But I am enamoured of his music nevertheless.
Yes you are right. My name has been taken from ‘Amuktamalyada’, shortened by my father, but very much as a tribute to Aandaal. My mother tongue is Tamil, but I have been born and brought up in Vrindavan, UP. So, Hindi is my first language. Listening to the gems posted by you, one of the reasons SoY is special in the blogging world is that the comments contain more insights than the post itself. I learn so much from the collective wisdom/knowledge of you all, that words are not enough to express my gratitude.
AK Ji,
Durga is one of my favourites too. Your post on it is one of the best posts of SoY, you so beautifully conveyed what you felt many years ago through mere words. Here is one of my favourite pieces in it, with the legendary Pt. Gajananbua Joshi Ji – https://youtu.be/qtmBBgiPd_I
I agree with your assessment of Shri TM Krisha,- his points are very very valid, just that lately the message gets lost in the way it is conveyed. Rhetoric for just it’s sake takes the attention away from the real issue. Reforms need silence and plodding on doggedly, year after year.
@Hans Ji 117 – what a pithy way to explain it all. You touched a nerve there.
Hans ji,
There is no such thing as mental fatigue….I fully agree.
We see people on the wrong side of 80s and 90s,even some Centurions being mentally fit, alert, curious to know what is happening around the World, pursuing some hobbies, doing charity….
Mental illness, Alzheimer’s, Dementia… only in these cases, one would agree there is mental fatigue. Even crippling physical disease can not take away your mental well being unless you are a pessimist.
Malyadaji @121
Thanks for the response. You have rightly said it is the collective wisdom of all the participants that makes SoY a JOY.
Hope to see you more frequently.
A nice song from a Tamil film of the 60s,
Gangai Karai Thottam by P Susheela, film Vanambadi (1963), lyrics Kavignar Kannadasan, music K V Mahadevan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlocUamrLqQ
Venkatraman ji,
Thanks for reviving my memory of”Gangai karai thottam”.
The song talks about Krishna playing with Gopis on the Banks of Ganga whereas he did so on the banks of Yamuna! Nobody seems to have posed the question to Kannadasan! (the movie was produced by him)
Although he was’Kanna’dasan, he wrote a beautiful song on Rama in “Lakshmi Kalyanam”(another film produced by him-music by MSV)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aoMm2wQpdHs
Giriji
You must be familiar with this information. Yet, in case… and for the others who may not be aware of it.
Kavignar Kannadasan’s original name was Muthiah Chettiar. Initially he was a staunch atheist and follower of the Dravidian movement. He once read Thirppavai of Andal and was amazed by the mystic poetry. A change came over him and he renamed himself as Kannadasan meaning the servant of Lord Krishna. Later he wrote a series of ten books Arthamulla Hindu Matham (The meaningful Hindu Religion).
Kannadasan wrote that Divya Prabandham had enriched Tamizh with its novel use of words and he used lines from Andal’s ‘Nachiar Tirumozhi’ for his ‘Manam padaithen’ song. Here is the song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hn8ddKiUiw
Yes, Lord Krishna is associated with the river Yamuna. He performed all His childhood pastimes on the bank of Yamuna. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna says, ‘Shrotasamasmi Jhanavi – of the flowing rivers I am the Ganga.’ And in Bhagavata Purana Lord says, ‘Tirthanam Srothasam Ganga – Among sacred and flowing things I am the holy Ganga,’ Well, I know that does not answer your query. Let us accept it as poetic liberty.
Here is another song (NFS) penned by Kavignar Kannadasan , music M S Vishwanathan,film Ramu (1966)
Nambinaar Keduvadhillai….. Kannan Vandhdhaan Anggae Kannan Vandhdhaan by T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e90W0fMMZLI
Venkatraman ji,
Thanks for your elaborate reply. As you guessed I am an admirer of Kannadasan as thousands of others in Tamilnadu and I am aware of what you have written.
Thanks for giving the link to’Kannan Vandan’ a popular song from Ramu.
P.S. I am not surprised at your knowledge of Bhagavatam and Bhagvat Geetha. I consider you as an encyclopaedia.
Venkataramanji @116
You may remember some years ago a Bengali mother was deprived of the custody of her 3 year old son and 1 year old daughter because some neighbour reported to authorities that she was sleeping in the same bed with her children, which is improper way of bringing up children in Norway. Such rules have resulted in people losing interest in having children. That is why Europe and Americas are getting older and older population and that is why they are feeling the need to have robots work for them, because immigrants brought for common jobs start bossing over them. Now they are called old countries and soon they may be called wheel chair states because most of the populace will be on wheel chairs. Guni jans there say family is bad parents are bad so break families. Then they say USSR is bad because that is a union of states which is harmful to the world. And then they come up with the idea of European Union, which is they say good for the world. Now they are dilli-dallying Brexit/No Brexit.
Mumbaikar8
Unfortunately you did have some bad experience, but that should not mean you should generalise. The parent-children relationships are quite healthy in India, otherwise there would have been a need for the laws like those made in Europe and Americas here also. And we have a live example of AK and his daughter here. No relationships can be perfect. It cannot be that parents go on filling pockets of their children without asking questions. Even in corporate world companies pay but seek something in return. Regarding coaches etc. they empty your pockets without any responsibility. That is just reverse of child-parent relationship. If you are happy with that then I have no issues.
AK @ 119
A classical singer ought to be spiritual to take his listeners on spiritual plane.
Is it not that spiritually inclined are more disturbed by a polarized society?
I have not read or heard his colorful language, would never approve of that.
Hans @ 128
Oh no! As a child it was not like “oh god why me” all around I could see there were similar stories. No bad experience as such.
I did not mean that parent children relationship is not healthy.
Parents are undoubtedly the best well wisher for their children, but that does not give them the right to make all the important decisions of their children’s lives.
Last week I saw a survey from India that indicates that more than 90% of the Indian parents choose partners for their children.
Regarding parents filling their children pocket I don’t like that idea at all.
Mumbaikar8
Regarding filling of pockets you took it literally. I meant the money they spend.
Regarding the surveys or opinion poll, I would only say that I am 65 years old and till now no surveywala or opinionpollwala has ever reached my door nor the doors of people I know. At every election dozens of companies claim opinion or exit polls, but on that count also I have never met a person who came to survey. Only Census people or local health people came for polio drops. I think the friends commenting here might have similar opinion. These people are deciding for us. Besides them and the NGOs, the Govt is not only making decisions on our behalf but taking a big chunk of our earnings. Irony of all this is that all these persons are our well wishers and not intruders. And parents are intruders and through the propaganda of these intruders both parents as well as children tend to believe that parents are intruders.
AK ji
While I was looking at the songs of film Majboor(1964), it struck my brain that during mid-sixties there were several films in which MDs used three or more male playback singers. I tried to list such films starting from 1951, putting a condition that the songs should be good or worth remembering:
Awara & Shri 420 (Mukesh Rafi M. Dey)
Boot Polish (Rafi Talat M. Dey)
Shabab (Rafi Hemant M. Dey Amir Khan)
Navrang (Chitalkar M. Dey & M. Kapoor)
Bluff Master (Rafi Hemant Mukesh)
Waqt (M. Kapoor M. Dey Rafi)
Nishan(Rafi M. Kapoor M. Dey)
Upkar (M. Kapoor Mukesh M. Dey)
Mera Naam Joker (Mukesh M.Dey Rafi)
In the seventies lot of such films would find mention which I am not including.
Regards
AK ji
In the above list add:
Devdas(Talat M. Dey Rafi)
Bandini(Mukesh M.Dey SD Burman)
Aradhna (Rafi KK SD Burman)
Thanks
AK ji
A few more:
Ujala (Rafi M.Dey Mukesh)
Teri Surat meri aankhein(M.Dey Rafi Mukesh)
Thanks
Tyagiji,
If you keep it open for any actor in the film, there would be a large number. But if you confine it to multiple singers for the same actor in a film that is more interesting – films having most singers singing for the hero.
Three singers – let it be wild card entry
Sangam – (M Kapoor, Mukesh and an Italian singer)
last mentioned sang isq…… I love you.
AK ji and Vasudevan ji,
As indicated @135 above, it will be an interesting study if look for multiple singers for one actor in one movie. For example taking film Sangam, Rafi and Mahendra Kapoor sang for Rajendra Kumar whereas in film Mera Naam Joker Mukesh, Manna Dey and Rafi sang for Raj Kapoor. Films Shabab(Rafi and Hemant for Bharat Bhushan), Guide, Upkar, Shri 420 etc would find their way into the list. Thinking actor-wise, maybe difficult to find this situation in films of Dilip Kumar, Pradeep Kumar and Joy Mukherji. Films of Raj Kapoor, Manoj and Dev Anand more likely.
Thanks
Tyagiji,
You are right , Dev Anand has three singers singing for him in Manzil though his favorite singer KK is not on the list.