O Re Piya

Touted to be as comeback movie for Madhuri Dixit, Aaja Nachle didn't quite set box office on fire. Rather it met with dismal response. However the song O Re Piya written by the talented Piyush Mishra, rendered beautifully by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and composed by Salim Sulaiman is, as one would say, music to the ears. So just plug in the earphones and listen.

The Rains Songs....Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein

As I had said in one of my earlier posts rarely has any leading actor escaped dancing in the rain in a Bollywood movie. So how could the then superstar (or India's first Superstar I should say) be an exception. With the sensuous Zeenat Aman for company (in the movie ofcourse) ...there's every possible to reason to think out loud "kaisa lagta hai" about getting drenched in the rain.

With Kishore Kumar in his elements and Lata Manageshkar for company you have all the more reason to try for yourself how it feels to get wet in the rains. The talented RD Burman sets the mood just right for make you feel mischievous.

The Rain Songs....Sawan Barse Tarse Dil

The only reason one may remember the movie Dahek (starring Akshay Khanna and Sonali Bendre) is for the song Sawan Barse Tarse Dil. Chances are you may not even remember the movie but the song has stayed on with you and you might as well be humming it as and when you remember it or hear it play.

Hariharan and Sadhna Sargam capture the impatient wait of two love struck souls in the crazy rains (you have to be a Mumbaikar to  know how crazy rains are) of Mumbai who just can't wait to get out of their homes.

Letters

There's hardly anyone in this world who may have not sent or at least dreamed of writing a love letter to his/her beloved one. How can the Bollywood which has been epitome of romance be an exception to love letters then. Songs centered round letters not only described the innocence of love and longing but played a key role in taking the narrative forward. So presenting songs themed around letters in Bollywood Movies.

Two songs themed on letters though stand out from those based on love letters. Both incidentally sung by prominent ghazal singers in their own style and written by same lyricist too....wonder how the lyricist managed to capture the essence of life in totally different wordings built around the same theme and yet maintain there uniqueness...the speaks a lot about the greatness of Anand Bakshi as a lyricist.

Beginning with these two songs first.

This ghazal / song from the movie Naam raises the bar of how to use a song enhance the impact of story. The song is synonymous with the movie. The song has all the qualities to stand out even on its own but when considered in context of the movie it lends even more depth to meaning of the song. This is Mahesh Bhatt at his best. The soulful voice of Pankaj Udhas, heart touching lyrics of Anand Bakshi and mesmerizing music by the Laxmi-Pyare duo make it impossible to solely credit one of them for the run away success. Even today when you listen to song play....it does manage to bring goosebumps. If it doesn't..then may be you are not human.

The second ghazal is from the movie Dushman. Though I have not seen the movie so can't comment on its significance in movie but a gem nevertheless. Jagit Singh was blessed with a voice that transferred you into a different world altogether. Music by Uttam Singh touches chord with the heart instantly.

The Rain Songs....Dekho Zara Dekho Barkha Ki Jhadi Hai

The only time Akshay Kumar & Kajol paired up to give a simple yet wonderful hit "Yeh Dillagi" with Saif Ali Khan for company -  A movie inspired from Hollywood hit movie "Sabrina". Though Saif walked away crooning the mega hit "Ole Ole" this song did manage to hold on its own and remains one of the rain songs worth listening to be there rains or no rains.

The Rain Songs....Aaj Rapat Ho Jaye

Movie : Namak Halal
Music Director: Bappi Lahiri
Singers: Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle

Rain has always been an integral part of Bollywood movies. Rarely has any actress escaped a rain song in her career. Here we see Smita Patil one of Bollywood's powerhouse and most revered actress flaunting her glamour quotient in what else than rain.

Her most ardent fans probably may not have been able to accept her in this role but then when it's Smita Patil not in her usual elements who is complaining. She seems to be enjoying the adulation with song that literally means if I slip, fall don't bother picking me up rather be careful for you may slip too. With Amitabh playing a perfect foil and Kishore da and Asha Bhosle setting the song on fire with their playfulness  in background there is hardly any doubt you won't like to play the song twice. And not to forget Bappi Da....for playful yet a sensuous song.

Saiyaan by Kailash Kher

I literally stumbled upon this gem by Kailash Kher...till the time I heard it..I was not even aware there is such a song. But then when I heard it.....I have lost count of how many times have played it again and again.....

Heere moti main na chahoon
Main to chahoon, Sangam tera,
Mai to teri saiyaan, tu hai mera,
Saiyaan, saiyaanaaaaaaaaaan
Tu jo choole pyaar se, araam se mar jaaun
Aaja chanda baaho mein tujhmein hi ghum hoi jaaun mai,
Tere naam mein kho jaaun,
Saiyaan, saiyaaaaaaaaaaaaan.

Mera dil khushi se jhoome gaaye raatein.
Pal pal mujhe doobayein jaatein jaatein,
Tujhe jeet jeet haaron, yeh pran-pran waaru,
Haye aise main ni haru, teri aarti utaaru.
Tere naam se jude hai saare naate,
Saiyaan, saiyannnnn..

Banke maala prem ki, tere tan pe jhar jhar jaayoon
Baithun naiyan preet ki sansaar se har jayoon main,
Tere pyaar se tar jaayoon
Saiyaan, Saiyannnnn

Yeh naram-naram nasha hai badhta jaaye.
Koi pyaar se ghunghatiya deta uthaye,
Ab baawara hua mann,
Jag ho gaya hai roshan,
yeh nayi-nayi suhagan,
ho gayi hai teri jogan,
koi prem ki pujaran mandir sajaye.
Saiyaaan, Saiyaaaaaaaan (2)

Heere moti mai na chahu mai to chahu sangam tera,
mai na jaanu, tu hi jaane mai to teri, tu hai mera...(2)
mai to teri......
tu hai meraaa..