Kishore Kumar, the eccentric, multi-faceted singer-actor-music director would have turned 91 today (August 4, 2020). Words are simply not enough to describe this legendary genius who is still as popular as he was in the seventies or eighties and whose songs still blare across media channels, either in their original form or remixed versions. Born … More A tribute to Kishore Kumar – A song list
Kumkum, the leading lady who lit up the screen with her expressive limpid eyes and her with her expressive limpid eyes in the 1950s and 1960s passed away this morning (28 July 2020). Born in Hussainabad, Bihar on 22 April 1934 as Zaibunnissa, her Hindi film career started when Guru Dutt cast her for a … More My favourite songs picturised on Kumkum (22 April 1934 – 28 July 2020) – In memoriam
The past few years have seen a number of books on SD Burman, like Sun mere Bandhu – The musical word of S.D. Burman by Sathya Saran or S.D. Burman: The World of his music by Khagesh Dev Burman ( a relative of S.D. Burman – the original book being Sachin Kartar Gaaner Bhubhan). I … More Book Review – S.D.Burman – The Prince Musician by Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Balaji Vittal
A tribute to Shashi Kapoor who died last December had been long overdue but I did not want to draw up another song list. An unplanned break from work this week meant that suddenly I had time to read and watch some movies. And when this movie and its music was analysed in a delightful … More Sharmeelee (1971)
I have been meaning to restart this blog for a while – the hiatus, as before, was entirely unplanned – as work and other real-life matters took up much precedence. Many unfinished drafts later, finally back here with a movie review. Why this movie? I read Asha Parekh’s autobiography, The Hit Girl some months back … More Ziddi (1964)
This blog has been dormant now for 8 months: real life and sheer laziness had come in the way and I kept putting off updating it. Rains in my city, which forced me to stay home from work today proved to be the catalyst. I decided to post something – just anything at all. So that this becomes … More Asha sings for Ravi
An accomplished actress, a Bharatanatyam danseuse par excellence, a Carnatic classical singer and a parliamentarian, Vyjayantimala has several feathers to her cap. Her influence on Hindi cinema has been far-reaching. It is because of her, primarily, that training in classical/ semi-classical dance has become a necessary part of a heroine’s resume in Hindi cinema. The … More Happy Birthday, Vyjayantimala ji
I have never been much of a Mukesh fan. I found him a bit limited in his range and technical mastery, when compared to my favourites Rafi and Manna Dey. And most of his songs sounded morose – not particularly endearing to my younger self. And in particular he was the voice of an actor I … More My favourite songs sung by Mukesh
A couple of weeks back, I saw a tweet announcing an upcoming book that piqued my curiosity. I wanted to get my hands on it right then. The book was titled Gaata Rahe Mera Dil, a compilation of 50 classic Hindi film songs from the period 1935 to 1993. And it had a still of Nutan and Dev Anand on … More Gaata Rahe Mera Dil – 50 Classic Film Songs – Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Balaji Vittal
I spend a couple of hours in a car daily as I commute from Gurgaon to my work place in New Delhi. Last week, as I was on my way, I started thinking about how so many songs have been picturised in modes of transport – cars, cycles, jeeps, boats, trucks, lorries, trains, bullock carts, horse carts … More My favourite ‘car’ songs
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