When I wrote Letter, Ritu quipped, “You are a true romantic.…” Now lets take that romanticism forward!

Ever since I can remember, I have been obsessed with hindi songs, all of which started from the hit song of Hum Aapke Hain Koun, ‘Didi Tera Devar Deewana’. I must have been barely five years old at that time, and this was the first movie I ever saw in a theatre. At that time, I didn’t know who is a devar and what is meant by deewana - but the song caught my imagination somehow, and you saw me singing it at every conceivable place — in the bathroom, at the dining table, in the school bus, in front of relatives.… Being an innocent child, I used to think that it was fun! 

During the days of All India Radio, there wasn’t much to listen on FM, isn’t it? However, when the private channels like Radio City came along, the scene almost changed! It was 2003 I think, with me being in Class IX. Suddenly, there was a lot more to listen and enjoy! As soon as I’d get up in the morning, I’d switch on the Radio. As soon as I’d return from school, I’d switch on the radio. After I returned from tuitions? You know what I did! For somebody like me, who was obsessed with bollywood music, this was nothing short of Heaven!

***

Cut to 2006. I am in Class XII. The leadership camp is approaching, and I need something to go with it. Perhaps, a pocket radio? Will I be able to afford one? Perhaps yes! I get enough of pocket money OK, so what do I do? I bunk my tuition class for a day, go to an electronics shop in Jail Road, and purchase a pocket FM radio for Rs. 175. Batteries cost another Rs. 20, and I have a pocket FM Radio that looks like a MP3 player! Have a look:

***

Can I say that purchasing a pocket radio was the turning point of my life? That would be a bit too exagerated, huh? However, when that radio accompanied me everywhere I went, I discovered music (Yeah.. even that too is an exageration!!) in a weird sort of way. At that time, there were around 7–8 radio stations present in Delhi, and they all used to play the same genre of music — Popular Bollywood. So there were a few which caught my attention. Even today, whenever I listen to them, I get reminded of the olden days :

Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai — This song, from Woh Lamhe, was frequent on the radio those days. Radio One, which was just launched back then, used to keep playing this one over and over again. I became affectionate of that, particularly to the remix version. None of my friends used to like that one, and it was fun being different 

Tere Bin — Do I have to tell the origins? This Bas Ek Pal melody by Atif Aslam was the show stopper. Guys used to croon, Girls used to listen to them lovingly! One particular guy in my class had even earned himself the nickname of ‘Tere Bin’! Can you imagine? As far as I am concerned, I wasn’t so very fond of it, but the girl I used to have a crush on, was! 

Dil Keh Raha Hai — During the days when this song used to be ‘hot’, I never managed to find out its origins. Which movie? Who’s the actor? And like that. But I used to like that. I remember that this was the song playing on Radio City at 3 in the morning, when I was sitting in my school’s basketball court, alone, writing down my first ever short story (the one I never managed to complete!), with Meeta Ma’am stopping over and watching me write! 

Chak De Phatte — This one from Khosla Ka Ghosla had an uncanny habit of playing itself on the radio whenever I was on my way to the physics tuition. Always! And I’m still wondering how! Too much of a coincidence, isn’t it?

Sun Re Sajania — Awww No! Shreiks!!! I don’t know what the guys at various radio stations used to think when they played it over and over. This Ali Zafar song is bad!! Very Bad!! Though it did ued to do me a favour everytime… When my Board Exams were on the anvil, listening to radio all the time wasn’t a very good habit. Whenever this song used to play, I was encouraged to switch off the radio and start studying!!

Kuch Iss Tarah — It is utterly romantic, I must say. At first, I used to dislike this song; but after listening to it a couple of times, and as the melody gre upon me, it left me mesmerized. Agreed, that it has an element of sadness, but once you finish listening to it, you feel refreshed.. you feel good! Till date, I regard it as the best Atif song ever.

… And there were many more! But talking about all of them would bore you to death, isn’t it? 

Ever since I bought a multimedia phone, I’ve stopped listening to FM, literally! Agreed, that having the music of your choice loaded in the phone, so that you can listen to it anytime you want, is very convenient. But can it ever match the spontaeinity, the suspense of the radio? All the fun of guessing the next song is lost. All the fun, and frustration, of scanning all the radio stations and not finding the song of your choice, is lost. All the fun connecting to the RJ is lost. 

The pocket radio has stopped working ever since, and the FM reception in my phone is not upto the mark. I think I’ll have to spend that Rs. 175 again!

Sing Along!

Note: This happens to be my 25^th post over here. Happy Silver Jubilee!

Image Courtesy — purplesongscanfly.org (part of their logo)

For me, the world is a musical place. I listen to music while working, while playing, while traveling, while reading, even while not doing anything! Looks as if me and music are inseparable. Most of the time, I listen to tracks from Bollywood movies. (Right now, its the OST of Mission Istanbul). Once, about two weeks ago, it occurred to me — why not ask people about their preference of misic? So.. I did a sms poll with five of my friends to rate the OST’s of 12 hindi movies on a scale of five. Before I divulge the results, let us look at the movies included in the list.

• Bunty Aur Bubli

A 2005 movie starring Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukherji and Amitabh Bachchan. Also starring Aishwarya Rai in a special appearance. The film is about Bunty (Abhishek) and Bubli (Rani), who are exepert conmen. They steal, but with a style! Starting off by stealing a few thousands from a small businessman, they go on to sell off the Taj Mahal. Amitabh Bachchan plays Dashrath Singh, a police officer who is after Bunty and Bubli.
The songs in the movie are pretty OK, with one exception — Kajra Re, which almost became the youth anthem of the country! The song, featuring Aishwarya Rai along with Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan, became a huge hit, and still has a fan following. The movie’s music was given by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy.

• Dil Chahta Hai

This 2001 movie, by Farhan Akhtar, is about three guys — Akash (Aamir Khan), Sameer (Saif Ali Khan) and Siddharth (Akshaye Khanna), their individual relationships and the effect that these relationships have on them. The movie also stars Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni and Dimple Kapadia.
The songs, again, are pretty OK, and not one of them became the youth anthem. However, they can easily sound differently if you listen to them when you relax. The title track is nicely rendered by Shankar Mahadevan. Also, tracks like Kaisi Hai Yeh Rut and Tanhayee can be quite relaxing.

• Guru

This film is based on the life and times of Dhirubhai Ambani, and stars Abhishek Bachchan as Gurukant Desai. It discusses the explosive rise of the business tycoon during the decades of ‘50s and ‘60s.Other than Abhishek Bachchan, it stars Aishwarya Rai, Vidya Balan and R Madhvan, among a host of others.
The soundtrack is by AR Rahman, and is his finest work ever. Tracks like Aye Hairathe Ashiqui and Tere Bina certify this. Barso Re is a popular number, along with Maiyya Maiyya, in which the audience is treated (?!?!) with a guest appearance by Mallika Sherawat.

• Jodhaa Akbar

A recent film by Ashutosh Gowarikar, starring Hrithik Roshan as Akbar (why??) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Jodhaa Bai. I haven’t seen the movie, however, it has been a hit.
The Music is by AR Rahman. Not very convincing though. Azeem-o-Shaan Shehenshah is good, by the way.

• Jhoom Barabar Jhoom

This 2007 movie by Shaad Ali Sehgal and starring Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Bobby Deol and Lara Dutta .. .. .. is NOT a movie. Maybe it is an extended music video, maybe something else. I don’t know what the filmmakers were thinking when they made the movie. It was a BIG FLOP. Sadly. The storyline lacks finish. They had a good concept, but erred in turning it into a film.
However, as far as music is concerned, it has been done well by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy. I have a soft spot for it, personally. I listen to the album pretty frequently. The tracks are peppy, especially the three versions of the title track, namely JBJ, Jhoom and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Ticket to Hollywood sounds very differently, while Kiss of Love is an example of really bad lyrics. However, the star of the album is Bol Na Halke Halke, sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and a personal favorite of Shankar Mahadevan’s wife. (She once confessed it in a reality show on TV).

• Jab We Met

It was a surprise hit of 2007. The film, starring Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapur, is a romantic comedy with a heavy dose of over acting by Kareena. The concept might not be unique, but it has been executed the fun way. You cannot stop laughing during the movie. A must watch, I must say.
Jab We Met’s music is given by Pritam, and includes some very good tracks, like Aao Milo Chalo, Tum Se Hi, and Aaoge Jab Tum. Tum Se Hi, sung by Mohit Chouhan, is a favorite among my friends even today. Aaoge Jab Tum, sung by Ustaad Rashid Khan and Aao Milo Chalo by Shaan are my personal favorites.

• Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna

A Karan Johar movie, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Abhishek Bachchan, and Rani Mukherji, is about extra maritial relationships. SRK fans call it his worst movie ever. Understandably. I won’t go into details now. Those who have seen the movie know why. Those who haven’t, don’t need to know.
The music, by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy, is good. They have done the title track quite nicely. Mitwa is another favorite of mine.

• Lagaan

An Ashutosh Gowarikar movies, starring Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh (her debut movie). The film is about the inhabitants of a small village in Gujrat affected by drought. They are offered a waiver in their tax if they defeat the Britishers in a cricket match. The movie won rave reviews and was nominated for the Oscars.
The music is by AR Rahman, and is pretty descent in my opinion.

• Partner

A David Dhawan film. Starring Salman Khan, Lara Dutta, Govinda and Katrina Kaif. The movie is bad. Thumbs Down! Salman Khan plays a Love Guru for Govinda, to help him win the heart of Katrina. Shouldn’t it be the other way round??
The music is by Sajid-Wajid. Not much to say about it, because the soundtracks lack finish. They have been quite popular, however. During its days, every DJ at every Night Club was playing Soni De Nakhre and Do You Wanna Partner. If people love the songs, they become good, isn’t it?

• Salaam-e-Ishq

This film by Nikhil Advani, was a mess. Starring as much as 12 actors, and six parallel storylines, you were bound to get confused. He loves her, she in turn loves some other. Another thinks he is in an extra-maritial relationship. They are newly married, and comic. She loses her memory, and makes a new start with her husband. The guy’s an NRI, getting arranged married to an army person’s daughter, whose boyfriend left her but wants to come back. Uff.. You got the idea. The biggest dissapointment is that it is a Nikhil Advani movie, who gave us Kal Ho Na Ho earlier. Did success get him?
The Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy soundtrack can get you started, though. The title track is melodious. Ya Rabba can make you think about love. Other songs are all goody-good. No negative reviews here.

• Taare Zameen Par

It marked Aamir Khan’s directorial debut, and we all know he did well. This film, starring Darsheel Safary as Ishaan Awasthi and Aamir Khan as Ram Shankar Nikumbh, tells the story of a young child who suffers greatly in school until a teacher identifies him as a dyslexic. The child (Darsheel) is a brilliant painter but has a difficulty in learning. He is looked down upon by his own father, and is packed off to a boarding school. There, his art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, identifies his talent and his dyslexia. He then trains Ishaan to be at par with the others. A heart rendering movie. Brings you to tears.
The soundtrack excells not just due to Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music but also by Prasoon Joshi’s lyrics. Taare Zameen Par, Kholo Kholo, Mera Jahan, Maa, Bum Bum Bole — all are brilliant tracks. The lyrics are the best. The music is minimalistic. The songs are soothing. And I have memorized the lyrics of all of them! Five Stars and High Fives!

• Tashan

I cannot tell you the story. Because I don’t know about it.!.! I haven’t seen the film. I can just tell you that it was made by Vijay Shankar Aacharya and stars Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar and Anil Kapoor.
The music is by Vishal-Shekhar, and is quite popular. (Good?? I can’t say. Ask yourself.) Chaliya and Dilhaara are not bad, but Dil Daance Maare is! Look at its lyrics.. Outright Preposterous!

So these are the films and songs on which I based my poll. Wanna look at the results? Here they are:

Guru Wins! Closely Followed by Partner and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. My friends have a good liking for music, isn’t it?
Enjoy your music…
Do you want to differ with the results? Let me know in the comments section.

How many times have you yearned for some relaxing music? How many times you’ve wished that you could lay hands on something interesting to hear? Finally, how many times you’ve spent hours on the internet searching for free music? Well, your wait is finally over!

Jamendo is an online repository of music — which is free to listen, free to download, and free to distribute. Freelancing artists from all over the world publish their Creative Commons licensed music on this website, thereby making their creativity accessible to a large audience while retaining the rights to their music at the same time. Users can browse the albums, listen to their favorite tracks, and even download them. Jamendo makes these tracks available as .mp3 for direct download, and as either .mp3 or .ogg for download via Peer-2-Peer networks (BitTorrent and eMule). Website or Blog owners can even insert widgets into their web pages to display their favorite tracks and play them via streaming. Moreover, accessing all these Jamendo services is completely free.

The website boasts of music suiting to a wide variety of tastes. A sample tag cloud retrieved from the website can actually tell you all about it. Ambient, ecperimental, electro, techno — you name it and it has it. When I checked it last time, the site had well over 9000 published albums in various categories and about 350,000 members. Sure, Jamendo is very popular.

Also, the contributing artists do not provide their music for free! Jamendo distributes 50% of its ad-revenue and donation equally among all the artists. Also, listeners have the option of directly donating to the artist of their choice from the website itself.

Not only free-music, Jamendo also offers Web-2.0 style services to its users. Registered members can create playlists of their favorite songs and share it with their friends. They can interact with other members of the website via forums and vote for their favorite albums.

Below, I have embedded my favorite Jamendo track — Bell Meditation from Cosmic Lullabies by Doc.

Please remember that the track is very long, so if you have a slow internet connection, it might take a long time to download! Enjoy!