Dum Laga Ke Haisha – Music credits

The review for Dum laga ke haisha will take time and will most probably go online on B.B.C. Web on Feb 27. Meanwhile, you can hear the songs here and see the music credits below (because we must know who is behind the awesomeness or who to blame if things go wrong! :) ) …This is the film that got Anu Malik back!

Music Director : Anu Malik Lyricist : Varun Grover MOH MOH KE DHAAGE (MALE) VOCALS : PAPON SONG ARRANGED AND PRODUCED : HITESH MODAK GUITAR : ADITYA BENIA FLUTE : NAVEEN KUMAR SHEHNAI : OMKAR DHUMAL   DUM LAGA KE HAISHA VOCALS : KAILASH KHER, JYOTI NOORAN AND SULTANA NOORAN SONG ARRANGED AND PRODUCED: ABHIJEET VAGHANI ADDITIONAL PROGRAMING : HITESH MODAK PERCUSSIONS : SIVA MANI FLUTE : NAVEEN KUMAR   TU VOCALS : KUMAR SANU MUSIC PRODUCTION: PRAFUL KARLEKAR AND PRAKASH PETERS TRUMPET : KISHORE SODHA WHISTLE: SANJEEV VERMA —   SUNDER SUSHEEL VOCALS : MALINI AWASTHI AND RAHUL RAM SONG ARRANGED AND PRODUCED: HITESH MODAK DOTARA/EKTARA/GUITARS  : ADITYA BENIA PERCUSSIONS: ARUN SOLANKI AND RAJU SALVE ADDITIONAL BACKING VOCALS : POOJA DAS SARANGI : DILSHAD KHAN BRASS SECTION : KISHORE SODHA, BLASCO M, IVEN MUNNS SHEHNAI : OMKAR DHUMAL — DARD KARAARA VOCALS : KUMAR SANU AND SADHANA SARGAM SONG ARRANGED AND PRODUCED: JACKIE V FEMALE CHORUS:ARCHANA GORE AND GROUP  GUITAR : HONEY SATAMKAR STRING ORCHESTRA (VIOLIN, VIVOLA, CHELLO, DOUBBLE BASS): C-M-A Group ARCHANA GORE AND GROUP — MOH MOH KE DHAAGE (FEMALE) VOCALS : MONALI THAKUR SONG ARRANGED AND PRODUCED : HITESH MODAK GUITAR : ADITYA BENIA FLUTE : NAVEEN KUMAR SHEHNAI : OMKAR DHUMAL —   PREM’S THEME SONG   VOICE: PAPON COMPOSED BY: ANU MALIK SOUND PRODUCTION BY: ANU MALIK

Kitabon se kabhi guzro

It was 10 Sept 2006

I sat with Jagjit Singh to ‘learn ghazal singing’. Bangalore.

Pardon my silly writing, but going through some old stuff, found these 2 pages and wanted to share it with you.

Happy birthday in advance, Jagjit Singh.

And when you are done looking at the pics, listen to this

Piddly – Whaaaa? daaa?? faaaaaa?

Yes, this is the kind of post that I would never do because it is not cool to give out ‘first reaction’
Anyway, this is about shamitabh. This is about a song that has ilayaraja at the helm and words are penned by Swanand kirkire.
When I write ‘piddly’ from my keyboard, it auto-corrects the same to ‘puddle’ and that is exactly what the song is. The song has 1980s feel to it.
1980s when the music cassette was invaded by ‘featuring dialogues’ (because the music is so bad!)
I am ok with the autotune because, well why not! But lyrics are embarrassing to say the least. The ‘stanza’ is embarrassing. No wonder the audio was released after with video because we have to depend on the video Y’all!
Why should English words stay behind in the times when we have a million urdu words around which a song has to be made no matter what happens!
Perhaps some people should stay in 1980s.
It is exactly that kind of a song which the ‘inner circle of the elites’ will praise but would bitch about later and publicly dismiss ‘masses’ for not understanding the ‘finer nuances’.
Sorry didn’t work!

Also – Boo!

Check out the song and feel free to disagree with me

CokeStudio Pakistan Season 7, Episode 7 – Review

With a mixed bag of goodies, Cokestudio Pakistan Season 7 lead us to the last episode. Here is what I thought of it. Apologies for being late.

Hans Dhuni – It is only logical for the season’s last episode to begin with the same artist who enthralled us as he opened the season. Ustad Raees Khan gets up close and makes us sway with his brilliance as he performs Hans Dhuni. There is absolutely nothing to write about it here apart from the fact that It should have been at least 10 minute track. A living legend playing one of the most soothing ragas on Sitar in a contemporary setting with terrific musicians isn’t a daily affair these days, sadly. By giving my ‘view’ on the song, I am just trying to flatter myself. Superb presentation!

Suth Gana – Giving us the flavor from the daily lives of cinema lovers in Pakistan, the hook of the song literally means ‘throw a song’ and is uttered out rather loudly by the audience in Pakistan in cinema halls if cokestudio site is to be believed and guess what? I believe it. Sajjad ali hasn’t been particularly exciting this season but this song right here is right up Ali’s alley. The catch of the song is in its lyrics and you must totally check it out. Brilliantly aided by Mr. Tafu, Adeel and Sajid ali, this is probably a better song from Sajjad ali this season. Don’t get fooled in by the opening of the song (which I absolutely loved!), the song is not an out and out ‘Phool banro’. There is hardly any pure classical note after the song starts. I am not a fan of mixing english in a song but by the time song ends, you won’t cringe at the use of words like ‘situation’, ‘shoes’, ‘Chance’, ‘taime’ etc. in the song because it is all in good taste and you will find yourself smiling through most of it.  Much of the credit for the wonderful pace goes to the accompanying musicians. Watch how the song ends.. Everyone was top notch!

Za Sta Pasha Na Yam - And here is the song of the episode!  Naseer & Shahab give us a fantastic song that literally means ‘I am not like you’. Faraz Anwar on his guitar ensured we would get up and dance to the meaninglessness of everything and stupidity of material world. I would be surprised if I don’t hear from this wonderful duo more in future. This is a song that would make Rohail Hyatt proud!

Paani da bulbula – You don’t have to an expert to understand that this is a folk song and the intentional nasal start from Abrar ul haq just confirms it. The song is fun yet conveys the basic message of life to be happy no matter what and not be bogged down. What impressed me beyond my own expectations was the way Abrar rapped! Even in this song, there is a lot of english mixed with punjabi lyrics, but trust me you won’t mind them. The backup gang is spot on and a special vote of thanks to Hamza for playing ukulele the way old saints used to play their iktara, thereby giving an earthy touch to the song.

For a season that started being strictly average and way too loud (thanks to the theatrics by everyone in the studio), this episode is a fitting end to the season. I believe cokestudio is NOT just about the music. The videos play an equally important role and I missed Rohail’s subtle presentation all throughout. Still, to give praise where its due, Strings should be proud of themselves for doing this season.

Not sure what is in store for the next season, but this season adds to the grandeur that CokeStudio Pakistan always enjoyed thanks to the brilliant mounting Rohail and his handpicked artists gave to the show.

Thank you Strings, for not messing it up!

CokeStudio Season 7 Episode 6 – Review

After a break, CokeStudio Pakistan’s Season 7 resumes!

Chaap tilak – When names like Abida parveen and Rahat fateh ali Khan appear in the same song with CokeStudio Pakistan’s iconic backdrop, you do expect a lot. This is of course, if Rahat fateh ali Khan is not in his ‘done to death Bollywood singing avatar’, but I digress. I won’t lie, the opening piano notes gave me goosebumps. Abida Parveen and Rahat fateh ali set it up quite nicely with their powerful yet soulful opening act. The backup vocal group called Humnawa adds to the sense of occasion. Even though the song lasts for about 9 minutes, I could have done with a couple of minutes more because after the mounting the song got thanks to the opening, it fades all too soon. Oh yes, the part at about 7:26 minutes when Mahotarma Abida parveen joins Rahat fateh ali khan is beautiful and for me, the high point of the song. A parting thought – may be strings could have given this song to Abbas Ali Khan instead of Rahat fateh ali khan. I don’t mean to imply that Rahat fateh ali isn’t good in the song but towards the end, you do feel that both Abida parveen and Rahat fateh ali khan’s voice isn’t complimenting but competing with each other and the song drifts albeit for a moment towards noise. This could have been because texture wise, both the voices hold the same character, in my view. Not the greatest covers of chaap tilak, this.

Descent to the Ocean floor - Usman Riaz weaves magic in the ‘neoclassical’ offering by Strings and it is actually quite nice to see an out and out instrumental piece once a while. The notes on the piano convey a feeling of descent which is at first quick and bouncy but settles down once the descent is complete. The strings section adds to the aesthetics of the song along with the twinkling Xylophone and free flowing backups by Rachel and Sara. At the risk of sounding extremely greedy, I would have liked this to be a longer track. Splendid job!

Yaad – Javed bashir gets another song in the season and honestly, I wasn’t looking forward to the song, not because I don’t like Javed Bashir, but I get tired if I listen to the millions harkats he takes in a simple song. The back up vocals are again manned by humnawa. The song has a (pardon me for saying this) bollywood song DNA. Thank God for Tanveer Tafu and the melodious harmonium by Arsalan Ali. Watch and listen how Tanveer saheb weaves the instrument almost all throughout the song without interfering in the effect of the song. The song did not work for me otherwise.

Jaana - Zoheb hassan tries so hard! That is all there to say. Wisely, strings pairs his song along with the master Amir Zaki so that the glitches in the singing are camouflaged well enough. While it was a relief to hear Zoe Viccaji, it was excruciating to get yet another song from Zoheb hassan because he has already done a lot in the season and perhaps the producers should have given someone else a chance? The song has a pop character and the weighed down start that Zoheb hassan gives, settles down thanks to Zoe but the song is below average on the whole because for once even the lyrics shout out their mediocrity.

Probably the most disjointed episode so far with just one track by Usman Riaz standing out and the other featuring two stalwarts just about making the cut. This is not the CokeStudio I used to look forward to.

Now we know why Strings do not give out the songs in the promo and cover it up with an amateur, accented voice over. Talking of the entire ‘in your face’ title ‘sound of nation’ – what is so ‘sound of nation-sque’ in the voice over, I wonder!

CokeStudio Pakistan – Season 7, Episode 5 – Review

Mujhe Ek baar – The wonderful Abbas Ali Khan who enthralled us in Phool Banro earlier this season returns with a modern ghazal treated somewhat too much. The qalaam is superlative but the overall track sounds overproduced. The singing is top class and I am in love with the element of finality with which this track starts. The guest musician here is Shallum Xavier.This is an qalaam by  Hazrat Baba Gulzar Sabri and Abbas voiced this first in his album Tamam alam mast.  Hear it a couple of times and you can’t help but feel Abbas’ voice had to really fight through the cacophony that follows him throughout the track more of less. Disappointing.

Kheriyaan - Sajid ali teams with Niazi brothers to lend pain to the ever so beautiful ‘Heer’. You don’t have to consult ‘word meanings’ to understand the immense pain of the song. Barely 2:23 mins in the song, you will know what I am talking about. So much pain, such ease of singing…beautiful! If you do feel like knowing more about the song go to cokestudio.com.pk where the meaning of the song can be found under ‘song info’. I still don’t understand why there are no subtitles? That aside, I recommend you get a taste of this beautiful composition. 

Pehla Pyar – Jimmy khan goes solo for this song (which is penned by him as well) accompanied by the guest musicians Omran Shafique and the magician with a flute, Sajid Ali. It is wonderful seeing Omran sing along at times, Give him a microphone already! The singing is sweet and the overall feel of the song is innocent. Backup Vocals by Sara, Momin and Zoe are synced well with the song. In a song that is less than 4 minutes, one does come to expect some magic (given the kind of musicians at work here). It is what we can call a bonfire song. The song is hummable but not ‘CokeStudio Pakistan level hummable’.

Mitti da Pehlwan – Jawwad Ahmad, accompanied by Omran, Jaffer hussain gives us the most powerful song of the episode. The voice of Jawwad sahab and the singing style is laced with nostalgia. Everyone of us has grown up listening one or two artists who sound what could be described as musical equivalent of pure gold. The song talks of the arrogance in mere mortals who think they are invincible whereas they are just fragile creatures of clay. As if Jawwad sahab was not enough, we saw the backup vocalists give their best so far in this song. Omran Shafique has been the best guest musician so far in the show and he raises the song many folds with this part here as well. A winner song!

Only 2 songs stand out in this episode and I hope we are done with all the weak songs for now. Thank God for Niazi brothers, Jawwad Ahmad, Sajid ali and Omran Shafique!

CokeStudio Pakistan Season 7, Episode 4 – Review #CokeStudio7

Shakar Wandaan Re – The track starts with Tanveer Hussain’s mesmerizing banjo and you won’t be judged for thinking there are good things in store. Asrar keeps it light and hits it out of the park! Everything is spot on and the track is ably supported by the backup trio of Momin durrani, Rachel Viccaji and the ever so over-emoting Sara haider. In fact, towards the later part of every antara, it is sheer delight to hear the backup vocalists take the song higher by their splendid singing. A job very well done, the song doesn’t sound over produced like Asrar’s first song in the season. There is a treat for music lovers towards the end of the song by Asrar. All the signs point to us that we have another singer who is ready to be commoditized like Rahat fateh ali khan. I hope Asrar doesn’t fall in that trap though.

Ambwa Talay – Javed Bashir & Humera Channa lend their voices for this song. There is a goosebumps inducing quality that braj ki boli has and we saw ample proof of that in the season 6 as well. In this song, the accuracy and fondness that Humera Channa brings to the composition is delicious to say the list. The tune dovetails into the tenderly composed (In Raga Pilu, I guess) song from bandini Ab ke baras bhej bhaiyya ko babul.  Javed Bashir sounds like a jogi who provides the much needed thehraav to your senses. A special mention of Jaffer Hussain on Clarinet is very much in order because it creates the right sense of occasion and not surprisingly, it is used towards the beginning of the song. God how I wish we poach Humera Channa to sing some songs on this side of the border!

Dheere Dheere Dheere – The guest musician credit has the name Omran Shafique so not surprisingly, there is a hell lot of infectious guitar in the song but that is not the only good thing on offer here. The somewhat iconic song from the years gone by performed by Zoheb hassan introduced us to the Zoheb who grunts, dances and doesn’t mind having a great time while singing.His limitations were on display in ‘chehra’ and that hasn’t changed here but the attitude is quite nice to see. The song has cute 1990s lyrics and don’t worry if it paints an image of a red Cadillac Eldorado an  long country side road driven by a boy who is  announcing to the world that he is quite high on love. I found the clarinet in the song lacking on the impact front, everything else is top drawer. This is how you recreate nostalgia with a pinch of contemporary!

Bone Shaker – Performed by Usman Riaz, Babar Ali Khanna and the flute magician Sajid Ali, the rhythm which the trio have showered  leaves us asking for more and thereby taking me to my only grouse – the track should have been longer. It is a beautiful piece. What I would give to hear more from Sajid ali and Babar Ali khanna together for a longer duration! Usman Riaz has already made a lot of news before CokeStudio Pakistan (Google him!) and we cannot wait for more from him. The highlight of the track for me is the tarana-jugalbandi between Babar ali khanna and Usman, Thumbs up!

An episode that picks up from where the splendid episode 3  left, the creators and the musicians deserve all the praise for this one. When you come across songs like these, you just don’t want to season to end!