All That Matters

The morning today was flooded with messages and tweets about Manna Da’s demise. For once, I was hoping this was yet another false rumour on the social media, just like the one a few months back. The fate disappointed me this time. Manna Da rendered Bhairavi of his life during the wee hours of this morning. Another legend left for heavenly abode, leaving behind a legacy that is unmatched.
A musical journey that started in 1942, spanned 6 decades. During this marvellous ride, Dada gave us some unforgettable melodies that make him immortal. He will reside in the hearts of Indians all over the world with his music.

Manna Da created a space for himself in an era of legends like Mohd. Rafi, Kishor Kumar Mukesh & Talat Mehamood. He carved a niche for himself by blending Classical Music into Film Music. He was the de-facto choice of all Music Directors for Classical based compositions. It is said that he would make Notations for songs before recording, so that he could record it with perfections; something no singer has ever done. Manna Da immortalized many Classical based songs. He also gave us some of the most beautiful romantic, patriotic and funny songs as well. His versatility was beyond imagination.

Numerous such melodies of his are doing rounds in the mind since morning and giving sense of a void that he has left behind. Here is a list of 10 Songs – from 4000 odd songs he sang across various languages – that are close to me. I am too small to apply any rating to his work. However, as a fan of his, this is a tribute to him by remembering his most beautiful creations that he has left behind.

1. Poochho Na Kaise Maine Rain Beetai

A beautiful melody in Raag Ahir Bhairav from the film “Teri Surat Meri Aankhen” composed by S. D. Burman. The pain of an ugly looking Ashok Kumar rendered by Manna Da brings Goose Bump even after 50 yrs.

2. Aayo Kahan Se Ghanshaam

Another marvellous classical based composition by Panchamda in Raag Khamaj comes from the Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s film Buddha Mil Gaya. Listen for the beautiful Style inspired from traditional Thumri.

3. Aye Mere Pyaare Watan

This is one of the best Patriotic Songs ever made in Hindi Film Industry. Manna Da brings the soul to it with his gifted voice. It describes the plight of Indians who are settled in foreign lands but still have their heart back home.

4. Ek Chatur Naar

Only a Genius combo of Panchamda, Kishor Kumar and Manna Da could create a funny song with a strong classical base as Ek Chatur Naar. This remains a cult even today.

5. Ketaki Gulab Juhi

A pure classical Bandish in Raag Basant and Drut Ektaal. It was possibly only Manna Da from the then contemporary playback singers who could even attempt to render this composition along with Pt. Bhomsen Joshi. In fact, it is said that Manna Da was embarrassed with the situation in the film where this song is shown as a competition and the character with Panditji's voice is shown defeated.

6. Zindagi Kaisi hai Paheli

Anand - The film that remains one of the best by Rajesh Khanna and this song truly characterizes the synopsis of the film

7. Kasme Waade Pyaar Wafa

What a composition! From the film Upkaar. “Dete Hain Bhagvaak ko Dhokha, Insaan ko kya Chhodenge” epitomizes the situation we are in today. The depth in Manna Da’s voice made this seemingly negative song immortal.

8. Tu Pyar Ka Sagar Hai

This melodious composition from the Film Seema is still very close to millions even after almost 60 yrs. Such was the power of Music of that era, where Manna Da belonged.

9. Ye Raat Bheegi Bheegi

This is one of the many romantic sweet melodies that Manna Da gave us. Film Chori Chori (1956). I think, next to Mukesh, it was Manna Da who rendered his voice the most for Raj Kapoor.

10. Laga Chunari Mein Daag

And finally the Bhairavi. The amazingly beautiful composition by Roshan, based on a traditional Thumri, is possibly the best Bhairavi in Hindi Film Music. Thousands of Musical “Maifils” so far have concluded with the “Tarana” of Laga Chunari Mein Daag. I had the pleasure of watching Manna Da perform this Tarana live when he was already 92 yrs. Notwithstanding his age, his rendering had the same energy and “lay” as the orginal 50 yrs back.

There are many many more. I know you would expect Pyar Hua Iqaraar hua, Zoharajabi, Yaari hai Imaan and so on. A blog like this is too small a canvas to capture even a glimpse of Manna Da's genius.

Manna Da, I feel fortunate to have lived in a time when I could hear you live, although at your age of 92. Our Music of today desperately needs you back Dada.
Take a re-birth and come back to save us from the septic of Lungees and Pungees.

Nothing seems to be going well with Common Wealth Games. As if the controversies relating to the corruption surrounding CWG were not enough, even the theme song composed by A. R. Rahman as well has become a point of controversy. The media has gone crazy in criticizing Rahman on the song to the extend of concluding that he no longer has his focus on India and is too occupied with assignments from Hollywood. Did we forget so quickly that he is the one who put India on a global map and brought home the Oscars and Grammys of the world? Why is our memory so short and reactions so extreme?
Last week the theme song for CWG was released. You can listen to it online here.


General reaction to the composition has not been very encouraging all over. The critics didn't like it. Common people didn't like it. There are open reactions to the song on Facebook with fans expressing their dislike for it. The media stretched it too far. Mumbai Mirror ran a huge article on him "Lost to the World" claiming that he has more ambitions in Hollywood, is inaccessible to producers in Bollywood and hence is "lost to the world". It was only a few months earlier that the same media made him the God after he brought home the golden lady of the Oscars. Suddenly after not so great innings with Ravan and CWG, his very commitment to his own country is being doubted.
Our media, and we as a society, are so extreme in our reactions to our heroes. Whether it is Rahman, or Sachin or Dhoni we tend to go over the board when they succeed, bring us glory, and quickly forget it within no time if they lose form.
Let us not forget the umpteen number of super compositions that the "Mozart of Madras" has given us. Starting with Roja, Dil Se, Taal, to Bombay, Lagaan, Swades, RDB, Guru, Jodha Akbar and so on. His melodies are incomparable to his contemporaries. Have a revision of his body of work here, if you need to.


Try to build such a piece for all the composers of the contemporary hindi cinema and you will run out of stock even before you start.
I honestly did not like the CWG song. But then, I also think that "Jai Ho" is not Rahman's best composition. It still took the world by storm. My opinion does not matter. As a fan, I don't expect that I will love all of his compositions and I am perfectly fine with it.

Rahman is a hot topic of discussion everywhere right now. Unfortunately for wrong reasons. Through a discussion thread on Facebook with my friends Uday and Anish, an important observation came up. The comment Rahman made before the release of the CWG song, as Uday points out, was very "non Rahamanish". He said - "Song would go beyond Shakira's chart-buster for this year's soccer World Cup 'Waka Waka'. This is a humble request to the legend. We would love to see the same low-profile, humble Rahaman who would let his music speak for him rather than he making such tall claims and eventually not fulfilling them. We understand he is also a human and these things are normal. But as Anish says rightly, "Its tough for anyone, more so such greats, to not make such a faux paux once in their lifetime. Rahman's greatness will lie in how he takes this experience and comes out of it". I can't agree more.

Yesterday was the 81st birth anniversary of arguably the most versatile legends of Hindi Film and Music Industry - Kishore Kumar. Here's homage to him in remembrance of his birth day. The man who was bestowed with the responsibility to spread happiness, to make the common man laugh inspite of his sorrows, to fall in love with his unique "harkaten" and to cherish those unlimited melodies for generations to come, will always remain close to the hearts of all Indians for generation to come.

Abhas Kumar, who came to Mumbai industry as a frequent visitor to his then already-star brother - Ashok Kumar (Dada Munee) did some acting stint to start with, changed his name to Kishore Kumar (Did numerology exist prior to Ekta Kapoor?) and went on to become the numero-uno playback singer of the 70s and 80s. Here are a few interesting and exceptional thoughts about him.

One of the Best Ever - Without a formal training
Kishore Da was initially dismissed for his first singing assignment because he did not have any formal training in Music. At a time when classically trained singers dominated the playback singing, it was pure talent and creativity that KK more than compensated for his lack of formal training. The same music director - Salil Choudhary - who was dismissive of him for his first assignment, gave us some of the best gems of KK in years to come.
Inspite of not trained in music, Kishore Da had amazing perfection in his singing. You would never hear a flat note from him, inspite of all his "harkaten" which he used to do even in the studios while recording the song. He was a gifted man. Gifted with a voice that was devine.... one that would touch the soule. Although he harldy sang classical based songs (like Rafi, Manna Da), he had surgical precision in all of his songs.

Versatility
He is possibly the most versatile singer we have seen ever since the Hindi Music Industy was born in the last century. Close to him will be Asha Bhosale. Right from romance, comedy, love, sorrow, philosophy, devotion... KK has it all covered on his portfolio. His versatility not only crossed the boundaries of genre, it crossed genders as well. He is possibly the only one who has sung a duet himself. "Aake Seedhi Lagi Dilpe" was supposed to be sung by him and Lata Didi. Since Lata Didi could not come at the 11th hr, he sang in lady voice as well - with no help from technology by the way.
Apart from classical based songs, Kishore Da is also lesser known for Devotional songs. Although he has sung many of the devotional songs right from his start of the career right upto Swami Dada in late 80s, this genre remained the core competence of Rafi. Nevertheless, many of his devotional songs do touch your soul, although they might not be popular as "Roop tera mastana".

Creativity - Yoodleeyooo
KK gave us something that noone could ever imagine. The Yoodling. Perhaps this was his way to compensate for his lack of classical training and inability to sing a classical based song. With this, he created something that none of his contemporaries like Rafi, Manna Da could sing. "Main hoon zum zum Zumroo" is the most yoodled song ever and even today remains the best test of a "KK Style" singer.
He was born with the gift of creativity. The story of how he managed Asha's fumbling in "Piya piya piya" is well known. One of his best funny song, "Meri pyari bindu" from Padosan was his instant creation on the sets while shooting. It wasn't planned earlier - added later to the music album of Padosan.

Beyond Music
KKs versatility extended beyond Music into Films as well. Actor, Producer, Director, Music Director, Editor. Are there any other roles remaining? He did everything. Apart from singing, he is second-best known as a comedian. Who can forget the "Guru Vidyapati" of Padosan ? Apart from acting, he produced 18 films. Sadly only 8 saw the light of the day. Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Door Gagan ki Chhaon mein, Zuumroo are some of his best known films.

The Serious Kishor... Seriously???
Many close to him say that although on the face of it he looked vary funny, jovial and full of humor, somewhere within, there lived an extremely serious person. This shows up in the soul he put in his serious songs like "Dukhi man mere". In many of his films, his style was completely different than the comedian persona which he was known for. Look at "Door Gagan Ki Chhaon mein". A story of a soldier and his son. Many say that these films were his way to vent out that personality of him.
Inspiring Generations
Kishore Da has inspired generations of singers. Many have made thier careers after him by imitating him. Kumar Sanu (Duplicate), Babul Suprio (Duplicate ki Xerox Copy), et al. It is sad that many of them do not acknowledge this fact after becoming a star. However, an imitation after all, remains an imitation. There has been no equivalent of him even after decades when he left us. Recently, there was a kind of remix of "Bachna aye haseenon" in the movie with the same title (staring Ranbeer Kapoor). Listen to it carefully. There are original lines by KK initially and then new lines are sung by a new comer. The difference is evident. Even with today's technology, KK stands out.
Kishore Da, you will always remain alive in our hearts forever. Your music is the only refuge amidst the chaos and noisy numbers dominant in the music industry today. I only wish we had more of you.
Hope you rest in peace.