Posts Tagged ‘1940’
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
An almost sublime piece of music, whose author is not known (as yet). This non film offering by Pankaj Babu is a gem that ensconces within itself, immeasurable depths of emotions. The words are just so beautiful, and the rendering by Pankaj Babu highlights the expressions to the utmost.
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This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
In the beginning of the 30s, when the talking films made a debut on the Indian silver screen, and Calcutta was the premier center for film making, with a gathering of renowned stalwarts guiding the industry through its infancy. Names like BN Sircar, Nitin Bose, PC Barua, Debaki Bose, Premankur Atorthy, Prafulla Roy, Kidar Sharma, Aga Hashr Kashmiri, RC Boral, Pankaj Mullick and many more come to mind when one thinks of the film industry, Calcutta and 1930s.
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This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
This song by Pankaj Babu, is a non film offering. Another one of his iconic recordings that is without comparison. Another great favorite of mine for many decades. It appears that during the years from 1930s to 50s, there was a more serious interest in music, as in there is a huge body of great music that was recorded as non-film music. I am not saying that the recording of non-film music is any less in the current years, but the content and quality is a matter of debate. No doubt there are some good quality songs that still get produced, but compared to the entire music that gets generated in a year, the percentage of music that is memorable, and that carries along with the collective memory of the society is definitely diminishing. When one thinks of the singers of the 30s, 40s and 50s, names like Saigal Saab, Pankaj Babu, Jagmohan, KC Dey, and more, their level of good quality memorable songs, in films and outside of films, is almost one hundred percent of what has been recorded. Rather, it is a misfortune that probably a much larger body of their work, as part of live programs and music conferences that happened in those years, is lost now, because it is not recorded, either as audio or even as documentary records of what all they sang. And yet, we are fortunate that we have, what ever that is available on record.
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This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
A tongue in cheek song, if ever there was one. The first line itself suggests that this one is going to be a very very interesting song. Recorded sometimes late 30s or so, this is a gem of a song from the pen of Pt. Madhur. What a pace and a rhythm, reminds one of, ‘aayee bahaar aaj aayee bahaar’.
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Praan chaahe nain na chaahe
Posted on: September 25, 2011
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
In the world of Indian cinema, most famous names are known and recognized for specific contributions, in specific aspects of film making. There are a rare few, whose breadth of talent goes beyond a single aspect, and whose influence and impact is evident on the society at large, and not just on the film industry. Their contributions are limited not just to the movie goers and critics, but pervade across the culture. Pankaj Babu is one such luminary figure. Composer, musician, audio innovator, singer, music director, teacher and a part-time actor, he is a colossal figure not only in the field of cinema but recognized as one of the greatest cultural icons of Bengal.
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Madbhari rut jawaan hai
Posted on: September 21, 2011
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
Pankaj Mullick, the name that shines in the Bengali music and culture as one of the brightest stars. Most of us are familiar with Pankaj Babu as being an accomplished composer and singer. But, much more than that, he was an innovator par excellence. Not many are familiar with the fact that this gifted musician, through his experimentation with providing music to films, originated the concept of background music in Indian cinema, to accentuate the emotions, the action and the pace of the scenes on screen.
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This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
The mystery of Saigal Saab’s mastery over music and singing will probably never be fully understood. Without a formal training regime from a dedicated master, the fact that he has accomplished what we know, one has to, but acknowledge an inner illumination and a divine gift.
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Hari binaa koi kaam na aayo
Posted on: September 15, 2011
This article is written by Sudhir, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a regular contributor to this blog.
The saga of Saigal Saab is known based on the memories that have been treasured by his family members, friends and associates. There is very little written documentary record of his life available, in terms of journals, letters or interviews. His departure at a young age of 43 years, did not allow an opportunity that many famous persona have, of writing or authorizing a biography, as they reach into the later decades of their lives. Very little, if any, is available in terms of written articles etc. from the 15 years (1931-1946) that he was in the limelight for the entire nation. His music, and the collection of anecdotal memories, is the legacy remaining, with which to know and fathom this extraordinary performer.
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Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
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