Hindi film music - Old is Gold

Anil Biswas or fondly called as Anilda is a pioneer and responsible for sowing the seeds of hindi film music industry. When we hail our Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for using western instruments, but bending it to play our indian tunes in it, it all started during Anilda's days. He was the one of the main reasons for creating that trend and also deviated in bringing forward individual emotions when common values were the norm of the day. Here is a composition which I fondly remember always (thanks to DD and AIR) mainly due to same emotions which I mentioned above and also the song has a ghazal face to it. The other interesting thing about this song is two singers sang this one. Meena Kapoor (Anilda's wife) sang for Nargis on screen while there is another version by Lata ji.

Meena Kapoor's version


Lata's version



Which one do you like?

Yesterday morning, car cleaning day as weather was fine, but still improving. Randomly selected a CD from my car closing my eyes and selected this one. Whenever I listen to these songs, I remember my two uncles who were serving in air force and army who used to sing his songs and introduce many of his songs during late 70s and 80s Whenever I listen to the songs, it visually takes me to the army camps at the borders where they relax and remember their wives and families listening to his songs.

Many thanks to my uncles, that's when I got deeply enchanted by his voice and singing. A voice like never before, deeply rooted and soaked voice of north which displays our identity clearly. Every word is clearly audible and the pronunciation is picture perfect. I like all his songs from 50s and 60s (compared to his 70s and 80s) as he sang for some stalwart composers, but mostly hidden by other great talents of those days. This song is no meaner, as we skip forward to 70s where he got more recognition. I'd take this recognition for the passion he showed during 50s and 60s which got rewarded in 70s. He needs no introduction.

The way song carries forward is absolutely brilliant and amusing. What's more surprising is, the CD has got the conversation which is happening between husband and wife before the song starts. Very nice to hear Navin Nischol's voice (who died recently ) and their innocent conversation. YT does not have their conversation video, but it has got as an audio itself which is good.

R D Burman at his very best. The way he used Kishore ji is ultimate. Hear the flow of the song and nice poetry which perfectly sits to the tune.

raat kali ek khwaab mein aayi aur gale ka haar hui
subah ko jab hum neend se jaage aankh tumhi se chaar hui...


Film video (without the conversation)