Vintage Tunes

                                                         Vintage Tunes



One of the many things that have evolved greatly in the past century is music. To us, it goes beyond the realm of sur and taal. It is more than mere lyrics being voiced out melodiously. Life, like music has its own rhythm and harmony, always moving to the beat. There was an era in Bollywood, where Munnis and Sheelas didn't exist. Long before, Mere Daftar ki Girl and Hookah Bar came to town, there was some serious stuff brewing in the music industry. Music, is an entirely personal entity. However, I'm one of those who believe that "you are what you listen to". Also, I feel that people these days don't really see beyond the gibberish lyrics and haphazard music arrangement. So, I've made this list of a few songs, which are extremely close to my heart, and which I also believe should be heard at least once in their lifetime, by everyone. Cover versions and remixes are made time and again, but nothing matches the beauty of the originals. I'm sure I'm leaving out a lot of songs, and there would surely be a lot more wonderful songs apart from these select few. Here are 10 songs of the yesteryear era, which I feel, every person of my generation, should listen to, at least once.


1) Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye

A song considered to be amongst the finest works of Mukesh, with lyrics by Yogesh that make your soul weep, this melody is absolutely timeless.

2) Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujh Par

This Mohammed Rafi number, is a treat for the hopelessly romantic. Love was never expressed more beautifully.

3) I Love You from Hare Rama Hare Krishna

Dum Maaro Dum, which was sort of, the youth anthem at that time, stole this song's thunder. However, this song is arguably amongst the best works of RD Burman, according to me. This song was way ahead of its time and ushered in a revolution. Much credit has not been given to Usha Uthup, who later on went to become the Queen of Disco. This song has shown the true potential of a voice like hers. And of course, there's Asha Bhosle, with her smashing  vocals.

4) Chand Si Mehbooba

This song is genius with lyrics that flow like honey through your ears, and an amazingly haunting melody. This number is the epitome of old school romance.
"Haan tum bilkul waisi ho, jaisa maine socha tha..."

5) Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli

Not much has been said about Salil Chaudhary's musical genius in the past few decades. However, we owe the evergreen music of the film Anand to this man. Yogesh had never written truer words. Combined with the rock solid vocals of Manna Dey, this song is eternal.

6) Jab Deep Jale Aana

Not many people know of this song from the film Chitchor. Flaunting the deep vocals of Yesudas, this song is an easy-listening number.

7) Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha

With words that are bold and delicate, expressions being conveyed directly and with subtlety, all at the same time, this perfectly nuanced number is one of the finest performances by Lata Mangeshkar.

8) Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar Jaate Hain

I believe, this is one of the most inspirational songs in the history of Indian music. The lethal combo of RD Burman and Anand Bakshi, this song is an all-time favourite. And who doesn't love Kishore Kumar?

9) Abhi Na Jaao Chhod Kar

With the powerful voices of Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi, this tune is a perfectly carved out mix of harkat, ada, nazaakat and obviously, sharaarat.

10) Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhaata Chala Gaya

Jaidev's music with Mohammed Rafi's vocals gave more meaning to the already beautifully written words of Sahir Ludhianvi.
                                            " Barbadiyon ka shok manana fizul tha
                                               Barbadiyon ka jashn manata chala gaya
                                               Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya
                                               Har fikr ko dhuen mein udata chala gaya..." 

Future lessons of the past

                                                             Future Lessons of the Past


                   Alice Morse Earle had said, “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present.” As much as I love this quote, I often wonder as to why we'd like to forget the past? And it is human nature, to anticipate the future and plan things in advance. Quotes sound lovely on paper, but how do we actually implement them in practicality?
                  It is said that, History is the best teacher. The demons and ghosts of our past, prevent us from committing possible mistakes in the future. Then why would you let the past go? It may hurt you, but it can definitely teach you a lot of things, only if you wish to learn. Is every event of your past saddening? Surely, there must have been times when your happiness would have crossed all bounds and you would have felt life at its best. If people would've let go of those splendid times, the feeling of 'nostalgia' wouldn't have existed. Yes, bad things do happen, but it is those experiences that sculpt our character over time. We don't really forget things, they just get buried deeper overtime, and don't surface till you dig deep enough. As much as we'd like to forget things, none of us want to be forgotten. All of us want to be remembered. We want to be etched in someone's mind forever, in some way or the other. We wouldn't want to be a forgotten chapter in someone else's book. We all want to make memories. We all want to reminisce and be reminisced. 
                    Maybe, this is the reason why we are so possessed with the future. We can't help worrying about it and get way ahead of our time. Our mind is a million miles ahead of itself, plotting and planning sequences and events. However, if we wouldn't think about the future, how would we set our goals? If we don't visualize a future for ourselves, what will we work for in the present? With no future to think of, we'd be just aimless with zero idea about the direction towards which we're heading. Therefore, it is important to dream. 
                   So, if I've got it right, I think the quote means that there is no harm in thinking about the past or the future, but it doesn't mean that you start living in a different time altogether. Take lessons from your past, but don't cling on to it forever. Cherish all the wonderful memories you've had, but don't forget to make newer ones. Plan ahead of your days. Use the gifts of your past, in the present, for a better tomorrow. The future beckons, are you ready yet?

Story-Telling

                                                              Story-Telling

                    The Universe is made up of stories, not atoms. Each person has a story to them. Some stories go on to later achieve the status of legends, while some are buried so deep under the sands of time, that they remain untold forever. But, it is these untold stories that add to the mystery of life. This uncertainty, is what adds to the beauty of the plot. The uncertainties, in turn add to the numerous possibilities, which make everything, all the more interesting. So, whatever lies under the surface matters too. After all, the partial truth is, but a lie.
                    Our life is one such long story with multiple short chapters. Like every story, at every instant, a new character is introduced. We may be the protagonists of our own tales, while we may have a trivial "blink and you miss" appearance in someone else's story. Every time, life has thrown  new character of utmost importance in my story, the plot has taken a twist, and changed the ongoing track. New characters come and go, altering the original story-line and ushering in a variety of emotions. A question that often plagues my mind is, have i ever been a vital character in someone else's story? Have i ever managed to make a difference? Has my role ever been important in their life? Was I the Hero or the Villain? Or just some sidekick? Did I ever matter at all?
                     All stories do come to an end, and in this story, the end is pretty much the same for everyone. They say, it's not about the destination, it's all about the journey. Analogous to this, we may conclude that more than the climax, it is the plot that is of significance. Our folks have maintained that a pen is mightier than a sword, which makes me believe that we write our own ballads and legends. We write our own poems and our own epics. We write our own songs and poetry. We are the writers of our own stories.