Kaminey

In continuation of the exploration of the music of Kaminey (Dhan Ta Nan and Fatak) and specifically the lyrics written by Gulzar, here’s Gaurav Sabnis on the title track sung by Vishal Bharadwaj.

My favourite lines, which in true Gulzar style has as many interpretations as your imagination allows it, are as follows:

Jiska bhi chehra chheela (But whenever I peeled off anyone’s face))
Andar se aur nikla (Underneath it, there was more/something else (pun))
Masoom sa kabutar (What I thought was an innocent pigeon)
Naacha to mor nikla (When it danced, showed itself to be a peacock)
Kabhi hum kaminey nikley (Sometimes I was the crook)
Kabhi doosrey kaminey (And sometimes, the others were crooks)

(Note: Translations given by Gaurav)

Bob Dylan – Bootleg Series, Vol 1

Having recently acquired the complete songs of Bob Dylan, it has been some great musical journey all along. Every day I listen to a couple of songs, songs which one hears for the first time.

And unlike other songs, you can’t just listen to Bob Dylan as just another song. You stop / pause it, go back and play again. You listen to couple of lines three to four times. Over 30-45 minutes, you generally listen to two Bob Dylan songs at least 5 times each.

And then you sit back and ponder the song in your mind.

Here are two from the Bootleg Series, Vol 1

Ramblin’ Gamblin Willie:

So all you rovin’ gamblers, wherever you might be,
The moral of this story is very plain to see.
Make your money while you can, before you have to stop,
For when you pull that dead man’s hand, your gamblin’ days are up.
And it’s ride, Willie, ride,
Roll, Willie, roll,
Wherever you are a-gamblin’ now, nobody really knows.

And this one

Who Killed Davey Moore?

Who killed Davey Moore,
Why an’ what’s the reason for?

“Not I,” says the referee,
“Don’t point your finger at me.
I could’ve stopped it in the eighth
An’ maybe kept him from his fate,
But the crowd would’ve booed, I’m sure,
At not gettin’ their money’s worth.
It’s too bad he had to go,
But there was a pressure on me too, you know.
It wasn’t me that made him fall.
No, you can’t blame me at all.”

Go enjoy. More from the 20th century’s greatest poet (IMHO)

Bedtime Music – Led Zeppelin

Hangman hangman hold it a little while,
Think I see my friends coming,
Riding many a mile.
Friends did you get a some silver?
Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me my dear friends,
To keep me from the gallows pole?
What did you bring me,
To keep me from the gallows pole?

Bedtime music is usually soothing, peaceful, soporific stuff. So Led Zeppelin for bedtime music? Well not quite bedtime. Working as a consultant, all day is spent doing mental exercises and brain work. Result – mental fatigue. Solution – something that flushes the mind and clears everything.

And so Led Zeppelin.

Past couple of hours, spent time listening to albums Volume 1, 2 and 3.

Couldn’t find video of Gallows Pole, but here’s Dazed and Confused from Volume 1.

Volume 1 is the introduction – the first album – to Led Zeppelin. A whole new sound of blues, folk, classic rock. Folksy vocals of Plant, wailing chords of Page. If you ever want to dig into Led Zep, start here.

Piyush Mishra and Swanand Kirkire

Three songs in the recent past that I have heard, I would like to write about. Given the current elections climate, some of these lyrics seem so eloquent and thought provoking.

Let’s start with Piyush Mishra and two songs from Gulaal – Aarambh (sung by him) and Ranaji (sung by Rekha Bharadwaj)

Aarambh first:

In a strong war-cry like tone, Piyush Mishra sings:

Aarambh Hai Prachand,
Bol Mastako Ke Jhund
Aaj Jung Ki Ghadi Ki Tum Guhar Do

Straight and direct, a call for war. Further on, he advises:

Ishr Ki Pukaar Hai
Yeh Bhagwat Ka Saar Hai
Ki Yudh Hi To Veer Ka Pramaan Hai
Kauravo Ki Bheed Ho Ya Pandavo Ka Neer Ho
Jo Lad Saka Hai Wo Hi To Mahaan Hai

And further on

Jis Kavi Ki Kalpana Mein Zindagi Ho Prem Geet
Uss Kavi Ko Aaj Tum Nakaar Do
Bheegti Nasso Mein Aaj, Phoolti Rago Mein Aaj
Aaj Aag Ki Lapat Ka Tum Baghaar Do

There is no metaphorical thinking in this song. Very theatrical but without using crappy Bollywood junk words. Piyush Mishra goes into allegory with Ranaji

Haayeee Ranaji Maare Gusse Mein Aaye
Aiso Balkhaaye,
Agiya Barsaaye,
Ghabraaye Marro Chain

Sounds like typical chamiya village item numbers. Then comes the punch lines used to describe the proverbial Ranaji’s temperament (Translation provided for those who don’t understand Hindi – tried to get as much of the spirit as possible)

1. Jaise door desh ke tower mein ghus jaaye aeroplane (Like how an aeroplane piled onto a tower of a far off country)
2. Jaise sareaam eeraaq mein jam gaye Uncle Sam (Like how Uncle Sam made merry in Iraq in front of everyone)
3. Jaise bisleri ki botal pee ke ban gaye Englishman (Like how drinking “mineral water” differentiates an English educated guy from a rustic bumpkin)
4. Jaise har ek baat pe democracy me lag gayee band (Like how democracy gets f*** at the drop of a hint)
5. Jaise bin baat ka Afghanistan ka baj gaya bhaiya band (Like how Afghanistan got f*** for no fault)

The movie of course has its merits. I recommend listening to the soundtrack independently.

Now to this song from Welcome to Sajjanpur. I watched the movie on cable the other day and I quite liked it. A light comedy from Shyam Benegal with all the usual sarcasm and jibes at life and society. The music by Shantanu Moitra was quite pleasant if not outstanding. I would like to point out to two songs – Aadmi Aazad Hai and Munni Ki Bari

Aadmi Aazad Hai first. Sung by Kailash Kher, it’s sounds like all feel-good patriotic numbers but for two things – the ektara twangs that give it a nice folk (esp eastern India) touch and these lines by Swanand Kirkire:

Khil Rahi Thi Kali Kali,
Mehke Thi Gali Gali
Aap Tabhi Saanp Huye,
Hum Ho Gaye Chhipkali
Satta Ki Yeh Bhuk Vikat,
Aadi Hai Na Ant Hai

Abb Toh Prajatantra Hai
Aadami Aazaad Hai

Arre Jiski Laathi Usaki Bhains,
Saanp Ne Bana Diya
Hey Note Ki Khan Khan Sunaake Vote Ko Gunga Kiya
Party Fund Yagya Kund Ghotaala Mantra Hai

Abb Toh Prajatantra Hai
Aadami Aazaad Hai

No longer is it a feel-good number but some really good lines telling many things within the mood of hope. The chorus line “Abb toh prajatantra hai, aadmi aazaad hai” are both a celebration as well as a plea, a prayer of hope.

Then there’s this eunuch song which may be a good dance number but do observe these few lines:

Are Mardo Ne Khub Kiya, Haan Ji
Are Aurat Ne Khub Kiya, Haan Ji
Are Dono Ne Khub Kiya Raaj,
Ki Aayi Abb Munni Ki Baari

Aa Gai Hai Munni Bai,
Dholak Pe Mohar Lagayyo
Munni Bai Kohi Jitayyo
Dham Dolak Baajegi,
Munni Bai Jitegi
Dukh Ki Ghadiya Bitengi,
Aur Munni Bai Jitegi

This is another post on Hindi lyrics. I had done on Gulzar’s Jai Ho and Piyush Mishra’s Kaala Bandar.

Prasoon Joshi – Hey Kaala Bandar

There were days when one didn’t know which way to turn – there was Shailendra, Majrooh, Shakeel Badayuni, Hasrat Jaipuri, Sahir, Gulshan Bawra, Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Rajinder Krishan, Anand Bakshi – legendary poets writing for the masters of music – Salil Chowdhury, SJ, Naushad, SD Burman, RD Burman et al. From that age, today we have only Gulzar and Javed Akhtar holding the fort.

Personally, I prefer Gulzar’s metaphors “zariwale neele aasman” to Javed Akhtar’s verbosity “albele albele tan, lachchkile lachchkile tan”.

One person who seems to be proving to be a strong contender is Prasoon Joshi. His usage of the metaphor is quite impressive.  I am have been listening to the soundtrack of Delhi-6, especially Hey Kaala Bandar. I present my observations of the lyrics (the melody part, not the English rap lyrics).

Here’s one snip

Ghoonghat Ki Gehrai Mein
Tan Failaye Kaun Hai
Jab Safed LibaaS mein
Kaala Sa Sach Moll Hai

Another snip from the song

Kasme To Moongfali Hai
Jab Jee Chhahe Hum Khaate
Upar Se Na Na Na Karte
Par Thaali Aage Sarkate

“Moongfali” – peanuts, eh? In the Mumbai local trains and bus stops, the peanut fellow comes in small 1 rupee / 2 rupees rolled packets. They are sold as “timepass”. So in effect what Prasoon is saying that we make promises as timepass, whenever we want – it’s just another trivial part of our lives.

“Thaali Aage Sarkate” – holding up the plate while saying no. A typical trait in everyone – saying no, I have eaten and yet not resisting when more helpings are given.

Going down to the end of the song

Saare Reeti Rivaaz Hatakar
Dekho Apne Ghar Ke Andar
Shaayad Kahin Kissiko Kone Mein
Ghoom Raha Hai Kaala Bandar

It is my conjecture that “Kaala Bandar” refers to the monkey man scare in Delhi. I would like to be corrected. Assuming this conjecture, the above snip has some insightful words – “Saare Reeti Rivaaz Hatakar” meaning jettisoning rules and customs; by extension throwing away one’s dogma; and even more, opening up one’s eyes.

He is saying, you open up your eyes and you will see the monkey inside you – all the hoaxes, the fears, the inhibitions, the dread.

Nice stuff. And then Prasoon Joshi closes the piece with these two lines

Jaane Kaunse Rang Mein Range
Hamaam Mein Hum Saare Nange

Touche

Sukhwinder Singh – Chhaiya to Jai

Consider the following list, not exhaustive

1. Kaava Kaava
2. Chaiyya Chaiyya
3. Ramta Jogi
4. Chak De India
5. Dard-e-Disco
6. Fashion Ka Jalwa
7. Jai Ho

They are all Sukhwinder songs, no doubt. And all hit numbers. But there is more – the phrases specifically are so well entrenched into our consciousness. No doubt the lyricist is to be complemented. But a major reason for these phrases to have such enduring resonance in our minds is the voice that sung them originally.

Sukhwinder Singh is one of those apecial singers who gets tunes made for him i.e. music directors do not call him for all and sundry songs. They call him when there is something significant, something challenging, something that only Sukhwinder can do.

Among the others in the current generation, there’s Sonu Nigam, Shaan and KK who invoke the best out of all music directors.

But back to Sukhwinder. (I am not linking you to the wikipedia page as it is very shoddily written. Instead I have linked to the imdb page.) Now, “Jai Ho“, the song from Slumdog which has been nominated for Best Song at the Academy Awards has the full Sukhi (as he is called by his peers) energy and vitality required for the song. As I have written about Jai Ho in the previous post, the song opens up the undying spirit of the young street smart slum boy. And the singer had to bring it out and it was done.

So next time there is a phrase that becomes a war cry, it would most probably be a Sukhwinder song

Jai Ho!!

Jai Ho – Why Gulzar is nominated for the Oscars

Let’s start by posting the lyrics of Jai Ho (in poetry form)

Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho
Aaja Aaja Jinda Shamiyane Ke Tale
Aaja Zariwale Nile Aasman Tale
Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho

Ratti Ratti Sachi Maine Jaan Gavayi Hai
Nach Nach Koylo Pe Raat Bitayi Hai
Akhiyon Ki Neend Maine Phoonk Se Uda Di
Neele Neele Tare Maine Ungli Jalayi Hai

Chakh Le, Ha Chakh Le, Ye Raat Shahad Hai…  Chakh Le
Rakh Le, Ha Dil Hai, Dil Aakhri Had Hai…  Rakh Le
Kala Kala Kajal Tera Koi Kala Jadoo Hai Na
Kala Kala Kajal Tera Koi Kala Jadoo Hai Na

Kab Se, Ha Kab Se Jo Lab Pe Ruki Hai.. Kah De
Kah De, Ha Kah De Ab Aankh Jhuki Hai.. Kah De
Aisi Aisi Roshan Aankhe Roshan Dono Bhi Hai Hai Kya

Aaja Aaja Jind Shamiyane Ke Tale
Aaja Jariwale Nile Aasman Tale
Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho
Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho, Jai Ho

So what’s the big deal about these lyrics? Right, let’s analyse. I am not much of a Hindi widhwan but I will give it a shot.

The slum boy spends his life without a roof over his head. All he has is the sky. The sky that is alive with stars and planets and galaxies and is his roof (zinda shamiana); the sky that looks like a gold threaded blanket (zariwale neele aakash)

The boy lives his life through bit by bit (ratti ratti); Spending his nights (raat bitayi) after surviving through all possible ordeals (nach nach koylo – dancing on coals) ; He has dismissed all sleep and rest (Ankhiyon Ke Neend Main Phoonk Se Uda Di – just like blowing out a candle); And burnt himself trying to catch his stars, his luck, his fortune (Neele Neele Tare Maine Ungli Jalayi Hai)

Now that victory is here, it is time to taste sweet success for the first time (Chakh Le… Ye Raat Shahad Hai); Finally, it is the heart (Dil Aakhri Had Hai) that keeps one going (Rakh Le)
- Danny Boyle’s view of the slum life – spirit of life that keeps people going

What you wanted to say for a long time, was on your tongue for ever (Jo Lab Pe Ruki Hai), let it out now that there is someone waiting for it in complete surrender (Aankhe jhuki hai)
- in these two lines, the entire romance of Jamal and Latika is described.

Gulzar is the master of the Hindi metaphor – No high sounding Urdu or big words – simple common street language but used as metaphors for describing a world beyond. And this song is an excellent example of his craft. My favourite is of course the main two lines with the zinda shamiana and zariwale neele asmaan.

The Oscar might well be his. And deservedly so.

Luciano Pavarotti 1935 – 2007

Only two tenors left in the world

“Pavarotti is the biggest superstar of all” said critics

Presenting lyrics of Miss Sarajevo
Is there a time for keeping a distance
A time to turn your eyes away
Is there a time for keeping your head down
For getting on with your day

Is there a time for kohl and lipstick
A time for cutting hair
Is there a time for high street shopping
To find the right dress to wear

Here she comes
Heads turn around
Here she comes
To take her crown

Is there a time to walk for cover
A time for kiss and tell
Is there a time for different colors
Different names you find it hard to spell

Is there a time for first communion
A time for east 17
Is there a time to turn the mecca
Is there a time to be a beauty queen

Here she comes
Beauty plays the crown
Here she comes
Surreal in her crown

[Pavarotti]
Dici che il fiume
trova la via al mare
E come il fiume
giungerai a me
Oltre i confini
e le terre assetate
Dici che come fiume
come fiume
L’amore giunger
L’amore
E non so pi pregare
E nell’amore non so pi sperare
E quell’amore non so pi aspettare

[English translation:]

You say that the river
finds the way to the sea
And as the river
you’ll come to me
Beyond the borders
and the thirsty lands
You say that as river
As river
Love will come
Love
And I cannot pray anymore
And I cannot hope in love anymore
And I cannot wait for love anymore

[Bono]
Is there a time for tying ribbons
A time for Christmas trees
Is there a time for laying tables
When the night is set to freeze

View the video of U2 performing with Pavaotti at the Pavarotti & Friends concert at Modena http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX6c5als1lk

Source:
The Australian, News from Australia’s National Newspaper

Little Boxes

For nostalgic reasons, I downloaded the song used in the Maruti Zen Estilo commercial – Little Boxes, written by Malvina Reynolds and made famous by Pete Segar.

Anjan Dutta has his own Bengali version as well

Here are the lyrics

Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes made of ticky tacky
Little boxes
Little boxes
Little boxes all the same
There’s a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they’re all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same

And the people in the houses all go to the university
And they all get put in boxes, little boxes all the same
And there’s doctors and there’s lawyers
And business executives
And they’re all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same
And they all play on the golf course and drink their martini dry
And they all have pretty children and the children go to school
And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university
And they all get put in boxes, and they all come out the same
And the boys go into business and marry and raise a family
And they all get put in boxes, little boxes all the same

There’s a green one, and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they’re all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same

Some trivia on this song from songfacts.com

Music that shaped Rock

Well the votes are in, the essential ones any way.

The Top Ten

1. All along the watch tower
2. Stairway to Heaven
3. Knocking on Heaven’s Door
4. Bohemian Rhapsody
5. American Pie
6. Cocaine
7. Mustang Sally
8. Norwegian Wood
9. Imagine
10. My Generation

What’s with these songs?

A. Look at the number of covers they have generated
B. At least three of those songs have launched new genres in rock
C. Besides the original artist/writer, these songs have boosted the careers of many other artists
D. Each of these songs represent or have started a new movement

The Next Ten

1. Layla
2. Smoke on the Water
3. Locomotive Breadth
4. Freebird
5. Bad Medicine
6. Me and Bobby McGee
7. Echoes
8. The End
9. Sultans of Swing
10. Woodstock

Iconic songs they all are.

The full list is getting compiled. Send in your list asap