On her birthday, my favourite Lata Mangeshkar duets. She has sung with practically everyone and his cousin in her eons that she has ruled the roost of Hindi Film Music
- Chod Gaye Balam – Lata and Mukesh voicing for a very young Nargis and Raj Kapoor. Film – Barsaat. The pangs of separation done beautifully well. Music Shankar Jaikishen, lyrics Shailendra
- Itna na Mujhse Pyaar Bada – Film Chhayawith Talat Mahmood. Music by Salil Choudhary and Lyrics by Rajinder Kishen.Sunil Dutt and Asha Parekh on screen. One of the sweetest love songs ….
- Yeh Raat Bhighi Bhigi – film Chori Chori – possibly my favourite Raj Kapoor & Nargis duet. Lyrics by Hasrat Jaipurand Music by Shankar Jaikishen. An adaptation of ‘It Happened one Night , the film has an incredible set of songs – including the other Lata / Manna De duet – Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandini Mein Hum…
- Jhoole Mein Pawan Ki Aayi Bahar – a very young Bharat Bhushan and an even younger Meena Kumari in this classic from Baiju Bawra. Music Naushad, lyrics Shakeel Badayuni
- Zindagi Bhar Nahi Bhoolegi woh Barsaat ki Raat – Mohd. Rafi, Lata and sheer magic. Music by Roshan, Lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi. Madhubala, Bharat Bhushan and one of the best music in films. the whole album is a trip.
- Chupa Lo yo Dil Mein Pyaar Mera – film Mamta – music Roshan, lyrics Majrooh. I honestly cannot remember if it was filmed on Ashok Kumar&Suchitra Sen or Dharmendra & Suchitra Sen
- Mein Chali, Mein Chali - with Mohd. Rafi – A great, flirty, young song picturised on Shammi Kapoor& Kalpana . A great fun film with a fabulous sound track. It contains the other Lata Rafi classic – Awaaz Dekhe Hume Tum Bulao .
- Tasveer Tere Dil Mein, Jis Din se Utara Hai - with Mohd. Rafi – for Mala Sinha & Dev Anand. A very tender, sweet song. Salil Choudhry & Majrooh Sultanpuri get together to create magic.
- Aaja Re, Ab Mera Dil Pukare – with Mukesh for the film Aah. Nargis & Raj Kapoor Star. Shankar Jaikishen & Hasrat Jaipuri compose the music and lyrics. Soulful, melodious and terribly sad
- Ajee Chale Aoo – Film Halaku, with sister Asha Bhonsale. Music Shankar Jaikishen, lyrics Shailendra. Lata did a fair few number of duets with both her sisters in songs as diverse as Aplam Chaplam (Azad) and Sare Shehar mein ek hasin hai (Alibaba aur 40 chor).
- Loote Koi Man ka Nagar – with Manhar. The film is Abhimaan. Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bahduri star in this fabulous film about a man who becomes jealous of his wife’s success. Other great Lata duets in this film are Teri Bindiya Re (with Rafi) and Tere Mere Milan ki yeh Raina (with Kishore Kumar0. Music by the great S.D.Burman and lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri
- Dil Ki Girah Khol Do – with Manna De. The film Raat aur Din. Nargis’ last role. Music Shankar Jaikishen & Lyrics Shailendra. The song is picturised on Nargis and a very young Feroze Khan. The film is a classic.
- Aaj Madhosh Huva Jali Re -with Kishore Kumar in the film Sharmilee. Rakhee plays twins, one good and one bad – and Shashi Kapoor plays the man who is in love with one of them. But which one ? Music – S.D.Burman, lyrics by Neeraj
- Is Mod Se Jate Hain - with Kishore Kumar. for the film Andhi -with Sanjeev Kumar & Suchitra Sen – lyrics by Gulzar and music by R.D.Burman. One of the best ‘relationship films ever made. And there is something about this song that puts it above the other two classics – Tere Bina Zindagi, and Tum Aa Gaye Ho.
- Aapke Aankhon Mein Kuch – with Kishore Kumar. The golden team of R.D.Burman and Gulzar team up for Ghar. This is a duet between Vinod Mehra and Rekha. The movie looked at how rape impacts the relationship of a happily married couple.
- Kya Yahi Pyar Hai - with Kishore Kumar. Film Rocky. A gangly Sanjay Dutt and a gaucheTina Munim wondering about love. Music – R.D.Burman and lyrics by Anand Bakshi
- Gir Gaya Jhumka – with Kishore Kumar – Film Jugnu. Music S.D.Burman, lyrics Anand Bakshi . A radiant Hema Malini and a rugged Dharmendra, flirt (like crazy) in this song.
- Aur Chabi Kho Jaaye – with Shailendra Singh – Film Bobby. The debut film of both Rishi Kapoor & Dimple Kapadia. Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal, check out their other great duets including one in this movie – Jhoot Bhole Kaava Kate,
- Beeti Na Bitaye Raina – with Bhupinder. Film Parichay. R.D. & Gulzar. this combination got together again for Kinara – for the brilliant Meethe Bole Bol and Naam Gum Jayega; and Mausam – the fabulous Dil Doondtha Phir Wahi
- Zihale Masti Makum Barnajish- Film Ghulami – a great folk number with a whole host of stars and Rajasthan looking incredible. With Shabbir Kumar. Music Laxmikant Pyarelal
Technorati Tags: Lata Mangeshkar, Hindi Film Music, Talat Mahmood, ‘It Happened one Night, Baiju Bawra, Naushad, Shakeel Badayuni, Mohd. Rafi, Sahir Ludhianvi, Mamta, Roshan, Majrooh, Dharmendra, Salil Choudhry, Halaku, Asha Bhonsale, Manhar, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bahduri, S.D.Burman, Raat aur Din, Neeraj, Kishore Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar & Suchitra Sen, R.D.Burman, Vinod Mehra, Rekha, Sanjay Dutt, Tina Munim, Anand Bakshi, S.D.Burman, Hema Malini, Dharmendra, Ghulami, Rajasthan, Shabbir Kumar, Laxmikant Pyarelal
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September 28th – The birthday of Lata Mangeshkar …. the woman with the golden voice.The first lady of Hindi film Music. For me, the last of the All India Radio generation , the lady and her music was a constant companion when I was growing up. Although in later years – i would think post the late 1980′s- her voice has lost much of the sweetness and melody, her body of work prior to that stands as testimony of her talent. On her birthday, I am going to take on a difficult task – the task of compiling my personal favourites sung by her. This is in no particular order of prefernce – just stuff that i enjoy listening to … the list will be divided into my favourite solo numbers & duets. Today is the list of the favourite solo numbers.
- Barsaat Mein Humse Mile Tum Sajan – the all time classic. Lata and a chorus sing probably my favourite ‘falling in love’ song. Shailendra‘s lyrics are mind blowing ‘aaj mein tumhari huvi, tum mere sajan… tum mere sajan" and Shankar Jaikishen‘s music a herald of forthcoming greatness
- Jago Mohan Pyare – from Jagte Raho – the sweetness and compassion in Lata’s voice, perfect with the melody by Salil Choudhary and lyrics by Prem Dhawan
- Vande Mataram - from the film Ananda Math – Music by Hemant Kumar, Lyrics by Bankim Chandra Chaterjee. The ultimate call to battle song. Fight for this country, it is yours and so beautiful….And Lata’s rendition of this song makes it my favourite. It nudges out other ‘patriotic’ numbers like Ay Mere Vatan ke Logon…..
- Jadugar Saaiya – from the film Nagin – a sweet love song, where the woman implores her lover to let her go as it is getting late. Hemant Kumar, Shailendra and Lata once again create magic.Saaware Saaware – from the film Anuradha. Music by Ravi Shankar and a breathless pace that transverses scale. Lata’s complete mastery of Raga’s and melodies comes to the forefront in this song.
- Dua Kar Ghame Dil, Khuda se Duva Kar – from Anarkali. In a film full of great songs, including the popular ‘yeh zindagi usi ki hai’ – this song is my personal favourite. You can hear the duva in the voice.Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh – the film Dil Apna aur Preet Paraya – music by Shankar Jai Kishen, and the song filmed on Meena Kumari – with appropriate close ups of Raj Kumar and Nadira.
- Aaj Phir Jeene ki Tamana Hai - the film Guide. A celebration of life. Picturised on Waheeda Rehman – a truly feminist song before the term feminist became popular in India
- Kahi Deep Jale Kahi Dil - Music Director Madan Mohan, lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan and a truly eerie number. For me, it works better as a ‘haunted’ song than Ayega Aanewal from Mahal and Aajare Pardesi from Madhumati.
- Mora Gora Ang Laile – in my list of the most erotic songs in Hindi films ever. Lyrics by a very young Gulzar and music by Sachin Dev Burman
- Nainon Mein Badra Chaaye – Film : Mera SayaLata & Madan Mohan – and an incredible semi classical composition. A superb rain song….
- Choti, Choti si Baat — Film Choti Si Baat – music Salil Choudhary, lyrics Yogesh. A wistful song …Najane Kyon… hota hai yeh zindagi ke saath … achanak yeh dil .. .kissi ke jaane ke baad … kare phir uski yaad… choti choti si baat….na jane kyon…
- Rajnigandha Phool Tumhare — Film Rajnigandha, Salil Chodhary, Yogesh and Lata Mangeshkar get together to create magic.
- Mausam hai Ashiqana – superb wistfulness and longing in this song from Pakeezah. I personally prefer this song to the more popular ‘chalte chalte’ or ‘inhi logone’
- Na Jiya Lage Na – Film Anand – Salil Choudhary, Gulzar and Lata Mangeshkar. A great combination of melody, lyrics and voice.
- Doondho Re Doondho – Film Ganga Jamuna – music Naushad lyrics, Shakeel Badauni. The song picturised an ethereal looking Vyjanti Mala singing about the joys of ‘suhaag raat’ with Dilip Kumar
- Raaton Ke Saaye Ghane- Film Annadata – music Salil Choudhary. I haven’t seen the film but it has a powerhouse of a sound track.
- Ja Ja Re Jaa, Balamva – Film Basant Bahar. I can’t remember too much about the film except that it stars Bharat Bhushan and everyone dies . But the sound track on this is amazing, so is this song.
- Bada Natkhat Hai Yeh – Film Amar Prem – filmed on Sharmila Tagore. the film also starred Rajesh Khanna. Music R.D.Burman, lyrics Anand Bakshi. The film also had the other wonderful Lata solo – Raina Beeth Jaaye….
Which are yours.?
Technorati Tags: Lata Mangeshkar, Hindi film Music, All India Radio, Shailendra, Shankar Jaikishen, Jagte Raho, Salil Choudhary, Prem Dhawan, Ananda Math, Nagin, Anuradha, Ravi Shankar, Anarkali, Dil Apna aur Preet Paraya, Guide, Waheeda Rehman, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Mahal, Madhumati, Gulzar, Sachin Dev Burman, Mera Saya, Madan Mohan, Rajnigandha, Naushad, Shakeel Badauni, Vyjanti Mala, Dilip Kumar
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Yesterday, was the day when most of Mumbai was out saying bye bye to Ganpati. The little home Ganpati’s had their joyous send offs. 
Accompanied by band baja, and scores of bad dancers, the Ganpati’s wove their way through the streets of Mumbai to the sea, where they will be immersed. 
Families, devotees, and just fun loving citizens turned up to have fun, mauj and masti.. on a day that has come to taken on carnival like proportions. 
And what is amazing about this festival, more than any other religious festival ….. is the tenderness and absolute love with which people observe it. IT has gone beyond rituals and rites…. and into something where ‘God’ has become a personal friend, child, ….someone for whom people have affection and fondness, not fear and compulsion. 
A word of praise for the Mumbai Traffic Police …. once again the men in Khaki, kept the traffic unjammed, ensured that no one got stuck…. and all in all the good humour and cheer was maintained. Yesterday, I was in the area between Khar & Juhu – attending a baithak ….. it took me all of 40 minutes…. that is despite seeing 52 large Ganpati’s going for immersion. Pudcha Varshi… Laukar Ya…. you are already being missed
Technorati Tags: Ganpati, Mumbai Traffic Police
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Everytime, my phone service provider decides to change names, the service provided to me has a major case of hiccups. In the 8 years that I have been with them, they have been Max Touch, Orange, Hutch and now Vodafone. Not that it normally bothers me – except that today their network fully went inactive on me and a couple of others that i know. I went into their website … and dead again. Finally an hour later the networks came back to life again and so did their website. Guys, you are in an extremely competitive, service industry. The market is not only price sensitive but also quality sensitive. Telling large chunks of your market that their phone can only access emergency numbers is not the best way to start out. And though I love the little pug, and would really appreciate it if my network follows me ….i get kind of pissed off, it trails me half an hour later.
Technorati Tags: Max Touch, Orange, Hutch, Vodafone
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Another monday, another week.
Hope that this one is more fruitful than the last one !
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Often I don’t go to Infinity Mall, – the purpose is simple … to avoid going into Landmark and spending a fortune. Often I fail. 52 vol.2 – like 52, vol.1 – makes for compelling reading. Primarily because the characters are so incredibly strong. The story is broken into multiple journeys of heroes. The one that i found the most compelling is the story of Black Adam and his redemption. The four best writers in the comic business get together to pack another fabulous tale. Renee Montoya & the Question get to Kandhaq , Black Adam & Isis get married, The adventurers in space meet Lobo, and Ralph Dinby meets the Helmet of Fate, and Booster Gold meets his maker……. A year ago, i didn’t even know about these characters …. now i care what happens to them (Even Lobo)…I guess that is the power of good story telling.. Definitely worth buying.
Technorati Tags: Infinity Mall, 52 vol.2, Black Adam, Renee Montoya, the Question, Kandhaq, Isis, Ralph Dinby, Helmet of Fate, Booster Gold
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Two evenings ago, I spent a mini fortune at Landmark. Again. Apollo’s Song was one of the purchases. Ever since I read Osama Tezuka‘s 8 – part graphic novel – Buddha, I was captivated by his writing, art and his take on humanity. The central theme of Apollo’s Song is love. The central character Shogo Chikaishi – a young man who has been brought into a mental asylum for killing animals. When the doctors’ decide to ‘cure’ him using electric shock therapy – he has a vision. The vision is that of a Goddess who wants to know why Shogo Chikaishi has been killing animals. We realize, at that point in time, that Shogo Chikaishi is the son of a woman who is possibly a prostitute and an unknown father. And as a young boy he chanced upon his mother with one of her numerous male friends. The sight repulsed him so much that he decided to kill any creature that shows any sign of intimacy. The Goddess curses him — that he will be reborn time and again to fall in love with his one true love. The moment that it is time for Shogo & his beloved to be together, one of them will die, and the curse will continue into the next life. From the Nazi concentration camps, to future world ruled by robots… from a lush garden on Eden to a marathon training session … Shogo travels through space and time living and reliving the curse. A fabulous narrative, wonderful art…. and a way of thinking that is truly enlightening.
Technorati Tags: Apollo’s Song, Osama Tezuka, Shogo Chikaishi
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Cleaning up hard disks takes up as much time as cleaning up a room or a house. Found a bunch of photographs that were clicked in Lonavala — which weren’t uploaded. Essentially macros, of the flora & fauna adjoining the house. 
A thing of Beauty is a joy for ever. 
Stars on the ground 
purple bursts
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Mumbai gets geared to welcome its favorite deity. Over the decades it has moved from being a Maharashtrian festival to something lots of others follow. This Ganpati is made almost in the style of Srinivasa of Tirupati – check out the tilak on the forehead, and the adornment at the back. This time last year, I took possession of the Lonavala house. This time two years ago, I was in hospital being operated for a gallstone. And the year before that SR, SK and I were running helter skelter trying to put on air our first show as a production house.
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….asked SR yesterday …… theoretically, he added rapidly. And given that he keeps accusing me of being theoretical (and I suppose that i am) – i was surprised.
Lots’ of things, i said. Theoretically of course.
- At the core there is my family culture – whatever is my family’s padati (traditions) and customs.
- Then comes that defined by my caste. I may not ascribe to the caste system, but does it stop defining me? I dislike lthe idea of being defined by caste … especially given that the caste i was born into has traditionally had appalling behavior towards women. But there are so many cultural practices that are different for different castes — that many of us don’t even think about it while practicing it. Food, for one. Festivals that are celebrated, Gods that are worshiped, traditions followed at birth and death…. We don’t think about these… we practise them as matter of course… but just because we don’t think about them doesn’t mean that they don’t exist as a part of our cultural make up.
- Then there is language. My mother tongue is Tamil (or as we joke- my mother’s tongue is Tamil). And language is a key component of culture. I was born and brought up in Mumbai and am more comfortable with English than any other language … That too defines my culture.
- Then there is Geography. And, in an Indian context it is more than the part of the country that you come from. Geography itself has history, ethnicity, cuisine,legends, myths, Gods, clothing…. i am someone who has been brought up in Mumbai – with parents from AP & TN. Or to be more precise -from this district called North Arcot that straddles the border of TN & AP. Just like people from Palgat are unique and neither Tamil nor Malyalee, or people from Belgaum are unique – neither Maharashtrian nor Kannada, so too people from North Arcot…… neither from one nor the other ….
- Then there is this my broad religious identity – ‘hinduism‘ which makes me different in terms of my cultural make up from some one who is not a Hindu. If you want further precision – my family’s religious tradition is Shaivite - which is distinctly different from being a Vaishnavite or a Smartha or a Nastika tradition. It many not be apparent – like caste – to most of us, but it is stuff that we have grown up with, and again it defines us.
- And, then there is nationality – my being an Indian. Which makes me different from someone with my exact background but whose nationality is American.
So which of these is the most important in defining cultural identity in an Indian context? My own guess is geography. Not religion, not caste, not even nationality. But geography. With Geography is linked history, ethnicity, language, heroes, traditions, clothing, cuisine … the works..and it is probably a far more valid parameter of ‘culture’ than more organized social institutions like religion or caste, or even modern political definitions like the nation.
Now, is this how I define myself. No. I define myself as an individual, female, liberal, contrarian ….. But, all those things listed above … all the stuff that that i spent a fair bit of my life running away from … have they helped define me.. I would be deluded to say no…
No wonder SR says i am theoretical 
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