For The Love of Music (What can We do with Indian Music - 1)

Reading sometimes need time, which is nowadays at premium, but listening music requires little effort and is doable even in busy times. If there was anything to inspire me to be active on the blog again it had to be music. For long I had thought of posting a series of clips, in audio or video format, of music and musicians who enchant me greatly. 

Since I couldn't find a better title, I title this latest endeavor of mine as 'For the Love of Music'. I start this with a series of 6 posts showcasing the brilliance of music when our Indian music is amalgamated with music from other parts of the world or musical forms that are not intrinsic to it. From suggestions by friends to accidental discoveries to recommendations on web, the posts that form the part of this series showcase music that I find highly enjoyable and inspires me to further explore the beautiful world of music. I hope that readers too will find the music presented enjoyable and inspiring enough to embark on their own musical journey; and if you do come across some fascinating music during this journey of yours, don't forget to return the favor by mentioning the same in the comments :)

Tinariwen with Kiran Ahluwalia

Mast Mast 

I discovered Tinariwen accidentally about five years ago while listening to Ali Farka Toure on Youtube. Youtube's sidebar having list of suggested videos had a Tinariwen song as one of the suggestions,  dont remember which one perhaps Cler Achel. Since then Tinariwen has remained my favorite band from Africa, inspiring me further explore the great wealth of African music and leading me to great african acts such as Toumani Diabate and several others. Having admired and listened to Tinariwen, it filled me with great excitement when in 2011 they recorded 'Mast Mast' with the impressive Indo-Canadian singer Kiran Ahluwalia. Many of us have listened several versions of 'Dam mast mast' and yet this Tuareg-Indian fusion stands out for its unique experimentation and registers the magical impact this great sufi sing is capable of. This song has looped on a repeat for a long time on my music player and high chances that it will end up the same way on yours. Enjoy :)

There's a longer version of this song available of youtube as well that shouldn't be difficult to find the same :)

My Favorite Mithun Dance Numbers

Well, I wanted to write about something else but I guess its time for the long delayed Mithun Da tribute :) Here are some of my favourite Mithun Da numbers in no particular order. I have included only one number from one movie so lots of obvious and glaring exclusions, but I guess that leaves something for discussion through the comments ;)

Gunmaster G9 (Suraksha)

OK, I said that I wont include two songs of a movie but I will start with an exception, two songs of this iconic movie, one for its sheer Mithunness and the other for the fact that it remains one of my favourite Mithun Da dance number. This one is the first, brilliant opening credits for the movie that started it all for Mithun Da.

Ae O Aa (Disco Dancer)

Every song in Disco Dancer was fabulous but this one remains my fav, a perfect launch song for a budding disco star and sets the tone of the movie nicely.

Tum Jo Bhi Ho (Suraksha)

Second song from the movie that started it all. Though earlier 'Gunmaster G9' opening credit song, with its Bond-like style, is more famous; this one showcases Mithun Da's dancing abilities better :)

Title Song (Taqdeer Ka Baadshah)

Great Intro to this disco funk number crooned in his typical voice by Bappi Da. Watch out for Mithun Da's iconic moves, which I think were the only good thing in this otherwise ordinary movie.

Tonite (Dilwala)

This song typifies Mithun Da's dancing. Silly lyrics but nice tune; Bappi Da must have copied it from somewhere ;)

Yaee Yaee Yahaa Or Whatever it is called :)(Pyar Ka Mandir)

Crap song, I mean really crap song but Mithun Da's dance is awesome although his costumes aren't :)

Vaada Hai Kya(Taxi Chor)

Not a disco number or dance number as such, in fact this one is a really nice romantic number. Mithun Da's steps make it even better :)

Ek Hasina ki Nigahon Ka (Yaadon Ki Kasam)

Again not a Disco number, yet a nice number; kinda sounds like those Altaf Raza numbers ;) On a serious note, Mithun Da shows that he is just too good when it comes to shaking a few legs, give him beats and he wont fail you :)

Julie Julie (Jeete Hain Shaan Se)

One of the bigger hits of its times. Mithun songs had a formula to them, catchy tune, crappy lyrics, crappy singer and typical Mithun moves. BTW this one has Anu Malik giving music and also doubling up for crooning. I think this must be one of his original numbers ;)

Kabootarbaaz(Turki ba Turki) (Waqt Ki Awaaz)

Mithun Da with Queen of Dance, Sridevi, in villain's den; Hmmmm I guess thats a good enough reason to watch the song. BTW, this movie had some nice songs, 'Ladka akela' with Mithun and Sri doing robot dance and Mithun Da's angry dancing in 'I wanna hit somebody' hmmmmmmm :)

Jeena Bhi Kya Hai Jeena (Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki)

Well its a take on MJ's legendary 'Billie Jean' and I guess choreography is inspired from 'Thriller' (though not completely), but still a Mithun classic.

Tu Mujhe Jaan Se Bhi Pyara Hai (Wardaat)

Mithun Da's Classic, Ultimate song, funky sensual tune. This time he takes on John Travolta's Saturday Night Fever, in his own characteristic style :)

Banno Re (Mere Sajna Saath Nibhana)

Mithun in a desi avtaar with Shakti 'Aaaoo Lolita' Kapoor for company, need I say more :)

Mujhe Kar Gayi Hai Kangaal (Cheetah)

Iconic Mithun Da movie, nothing special about the song but just wanted to include it for the sake of the great Mithun Da movie ;)

Jeele Aha Jeele (Avinash)

Mithun Da doing Michael Jackson and Bappi Da doing 'Beat It', No Moonwalk but Mithun Da compensates for that with his own brand of Moonwalk ;)

Mera Naam Doom Doom (Commando)

Not the most popular of Commando's song, but best in terms of Mithun Da dance. Well you can also check 'Maine maine tujhe tujhe' from the same movie, which has a more catchy tune and was a big hit in late 80s.

Title Song (Karate)

Hmmmmm, this one is kinda weird song, actually pretty crappy one but for Mithun Da's great energy, just look at him, he seems to be a man possessed.

Nightful of Songs

Some nights are like this, when you have nothing else to do, or lets say that even if you have plenty to do, nothing beats passing it listening to sweet and soulful songs. Here's how I passed this night of mine.

Songs for the day

Rains, Monsoon and a heart with sweet melancholy. You dont get to hear Koyal's song here in Denmark, but then imagining doesn't cost you anything :) One shouldn't be surprised if one feels like singing of love.

Here's to a beautiful rainy day and the divine feeling of love. I have included my fav Mithun Da's song which captures the essence even though its not a monsoon song :)

Short Movies 2

I'll Wait For The Next One

The Ball

Movies By Ted Chung

On Time

A Thousand Words

Nostalgia (Revisited)

Thought this time I should try my hand on video blogging. Don't really know if this qualifies as one, but here it is anyway. The aim was to give the words a voice, color them with music and finally forge an amateur video. The tools needed for this task: an audio mixing software like Mixpad, which was available as a free download, windows movie maker and a voice recorder. Dont really know how good the final attempt is, so comments and feedback are more than welcome :)

Here's the poem ......

Woh shikayato ke din yaad aate hain

Har shaam ka roothna manana
Raaton ke sapno mein savere bitana
Routine ka romance, jabardasti ki taareefein
Ajeeb si chuppi aur fizul ki muskarahate
Woh baaton ki baaton mein
Na jaane kitne jahan simat jaate hain
Woh shikayato ke din yaad aate hain

Awara kasmo ke hisaab khaate
aur behisaab aahein
Chakkaro ka silsila
the jo kabhi yunhi
tere ghar ke lagaye
Barbad hui un dopahariyon ki garmiyan
Canteen mein thandi hoti chai ki chuskiyan
Umr ke us daur se
yeh daur gujre jaate hain
Woh shikayato ke din yaad aate hain

Na jaane kitne email
Din bhar mein kai baar
Har ek mein likhi hui
Bas yahi ek baat
Aaj jab padhta hoon
un khato ko kabhi kabhar
to uljalool un khato mein
sanware woh shabd bhikar jaate hain
Woh shikayato ke din yaad aate hain

Zamane the yeh kaun se
Jo bakso mein band maun se
Peele hue un panno par ikhtiyar
Taazuub kabhi un par
Kabhi dastako ke zor par
bina italla diye
woh jab yunhi chale aate hain
Main seenchta hoon aansoon se
un kitaabo ko kabhi jab
un peele panno mein rakhe
Sookhe phool muskarate hain
Woh shikayato ke din yaad aate hain

Woh shikayato ke din yaad aate hain.

Loreena McKennitt

Thought I should share some good music with those who read my blog (if there are any readers). Loreena McKennitt is a Canadian singer, songwriter whose brilliantly interwoven Celtic and Middle Eastern folk songs are a treat to listen to. She takes you to faraway lands in faraway times on a mystic and soulful journey which you'll enjoy thoroughly.

Here's a sampler of the marvellous music she creates, enjoy !

The two songs are Marco Polo and Kecheritomene (with the ever beautiful moon in the background, the pic was taken just before sunrise on the Jacksonville Beach, Florida).

For more information on her check
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loreena_McKennitt

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Transmission at outpost 79

Old Reliable

A Scooter New Year

Haka - The All Blacks Way

Tujhe Kya Sunaoon Main Dilruba