Saturday, February 11, 2012

Udhar tum haseen ho...

Movie: Mr. & Mrs. 55 (1955)
Music: O P Nayyar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Original singers: Mohammed Rafi & Geeta Dutt
Filmed on: Guru Dutt & Madhubala (February 14, 1933-February 23, 1969) .......................................................................................................................... I am very thankful to Azam for singing this duet with me.


Download "Udhar tum haseen ho"

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Ja ja ja ja bewafa...

Movie: Aar Paar (1954)
Music: O P Nayyar
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Original singer: Geeta Dutt
Filmed on: Shyama ( Khurshid Akhtar, Mrs. Fali Mistry)


Download "Ja ja ja ja bewafa"

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Nanhi kali sone chali...



Movie: Sujata (1959)
Music: S D Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Original singer: Geeta Dutt
Filmed on: Charu Chowdhary(Sulochna) & 2 children playing young Rama(Shashikala) and young Sujata(Nutan)

Baby Aashna has joined me in this lori.

Download "Nanhi kali"

Monday, August 1, 2011

Raag Pahadi



I am very thankful to Thinkal Govind Kumar for singing this vintage duet with me.

Movie: Anmol Ghadi (1946)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Tanvir Naqvi
Original singers: Noorjahan, Surendra
Filmed on: Noorjahan & Surendra
Video: by Rahul


Download "Awaz de kahan hai"




I am very happy that Pradip Somasundaran asked me to sing this duet and offered to mix it. We recorded this in 2007. I am posting it again because he has done a remarkable job with the dialogue and all.

Movie: Milan(1967)
Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Original singers: Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar
Filmed on:Sunil Dutt & Nutan


Download "Sawan Ka mahina"

Popular songs in Pahadi,to name a few...
Aage bhi jane na tu
Chaudhveen ka chaand ho, Chahunga main tujhe
Isharon isharon mein
Jo wada kiya wo
Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein, Kora kagaz tha
Lag ja gale
Neela asmaan so gayaa, Neele gagan ke tale
Suhani raat dhal chuki


Thaat: Bilawal
Prahar 5 (6 pm - 9 pm)
Aaroha 'P-'D-S-R-G-P-D-S'
Avaroha S'-N-D-P-m-G-R-s-'n-'d-'P-'d-S
Pakad S-'D-'P-'D-'m-'G-'P-'D-S
Jaati Audav-Sampoorn


Dr. Bharat Patel accepted my request to sing the Pakad even when he was under the weather. He is from my Medical school, my senior. He is kind, generous and has a great sense of humor. He plays keyboard too.


Pahadi Pakad

Friday, July 8, 2011

Main agar kahoon...


"Om Shanti Om" was produced by Gauri Khan (Mrs. Shahrukh Khan).... directed and choreographed by Farah Khan(choreographed Munni Badnaam and Sheila ki jawani in 2010) and introduced Deepika Padukone(daughter of Badminton champion Prakash Padukone).

A R Rehman withdrew from giving music score because of some copyright disagreement with T-series.

One song in this film, "Om Shanti Om" had guest appearances by more than 40 film stars.
At the time it was the highest grossing movie from Bombay film industry. Now it is ranked at #7.

I am very thankful to Azam for asking me to sing this duet. He has been very kind and has mixed the song and the video.


Movie: Om Shanti Om (2007)
Music: Vishal-Shekhar
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Original singers: Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal
Filmed on: Shahrukh Khan(Prakash Makhija), Deepika Padukone(Shanti Priya) &Shreyas Talpade(Pappu)
Video link: Main agar kahoon


Main Agar Kahun

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Jiya beqarar hai...


Movie: Barsaat (1949)
Music directors: Shanker-Jaikishen
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
Original by: Lata Mangeshkar
Filmed on: Nimmi, Premnath &Raj Kapoor


Download "Jiya beqarar hai..."

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Ye zindgi usee ki hai...


Bina Rai (June 4, 1936- Dec. 6, 2009) convinced her parents to let her act in movies by going on hunger strike. She acted with Premnath in Aurat (1953) which was a remake of Samson and Delilah. They fell in love and married. Her films with Premnath did not do well at the box office but her pairing with Pradeep Kumar was a hit.

Some of her very famous roles were in Anarkali(1953), Insaniyat (1955), Ghunghat (1960), Taj Mahal (1963) and Ram rajya (1967).

She received Filmfare best actress award for Ghunghat.


Film: Anarkali (1953)
Music: C. Ramchandra
Lyrics: Rajinder Kishen
Original singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Filmed on: Bina Rai and Pradeep Kumar

Download "Ye zindgai usee ki hai"

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Jaane kaise kab kahan...




Movie: Shakti (1982)
Music: R D Burman
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Original singers: Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar
Filmed on: Smita Patil & Amitabh Bachchan


I thank Azam for singing this duet with me and mixing the song and posting the VIDEO on his facebook page. He is a very versatile singer and a meticulous video/sound engineer.


Download "Jaane kaise kab kahan"

Friday, February 11, 2011

Sun Sun Sun Sun Zalima...



Azam and I recorded this duet a long time ago. I think he has done a wonderful job. Thanks Ajay for mixing the song.

Movie: Aar Paar (1954)
Music: O P Nayyar
Lyrics:Majrooh Sultanpuri
Original singers: Mohammed Rafi & Geeta Dutt
Filmed on: Guru Dutt(July 9, 1925-Oct. 10, 1964) & Shyama (born Khurshid Akhtar in Lahore, British India, June 7, 1935)



Download "Sun Sun Sun Sun Zalima"

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Kaisee paheli zindgani...




Movie: Parineeta (2005)
Music: Shantanu Moitra
Lyrics: Swanand Kirkire
Original singers: Sunidhi Chauhan & chorus
Filmed on: Rekha, Sanjay Dutt & Raima Sen( Raima's maternal grandmother is Suchitra Sen. Raima's paternal grandmother was Ila Devi, Rajmata Gayatri Devi's older sister.)


Download "Kaisee paheli zindgani"

Friday, December 31, 2010

So ja Rajkumari...




Movie: Zindagi (1940)
Original Singer: Kundan Lal Saigal (11 April 1904 – 18 January 1947)
Music Director: Pankaj Mullick
Lyrics: Kedar Sharma
Raag: Jhinjhoti


Download "So ja Rajkumari"

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Munni badnaam hui...


I am very thankful to Azam for singing this duet, recording all the dialogues for the video version and offering to mix this duet. I have grown accustomed to his versatility and his attention to details and I take it for granted.


Movie: Dabangg (Fearless) (2010)
Music: Sajid-Wajid
Lyrics: Lalit Pandit
Choreographer: Farah Khan
Original singers: Mamta Sharma & Aishwarya Nigam
Filmed on: Malaika Arora Khan (Munni), Salman Khan(Inspector Chulbul Pandey) & Sonu Sood (Chedi Singh)
and a cast of very talented dancers.

Malaika Arora Khan is married to Salman Khan's younger brother Arbaaz Khan, who plays the role of "Makkhi Pandey", Inspector Chulbul Pandey's younger brother and is the producer of "Dabangg".

Choreographer Farah Khan is the niece of Daisy Irani and Honey Irani.



Download "Munni badnaam hui"

Friday, October 29, 2010

Apni kaho, kuchh meri suno...


V. Shantaram (Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre) (18 November 1901 - 30 October 1990) was a well known Indian film producer. director and actor. He was the founder of Rajkamal Studio.
He was Maharashtrian-Jain.

Some of his very well known films were Jhanak jhanak payal baje (1955), Do aankhen barah haath(1957), Navrang(1959) and Geet gayaa pattharon ne(1964) in which he introduced his daughter Rajeshree and actor Jeetendra.
He was married 3 times, first wife Vimla, second wife-actress Jayshree ( Rajeshree's mother), third wife-actress Sandhya.
His daughter Madhura is married to Pandit Jasraj.

Awards, to name a few...
Best film-Jhanak jhanak payal baje
Best director-Do aankhen barah haath
Dada saheb Phalke award-1985
Padma Vibhushan-1992


I am very thankful to Pradip Somasundaran for recording this duet for me and mixing it, even when he was very busy with the release of his debut album "Mazhanritham" as a composer.

Movie: Parchhain(1952)
Music: C. Ramchandra
Lyrics: Noor Lukhnawi
Raag: Pilu
Taal: Dadra
Original singers: Lata Mangeshkar & Talat Mahmood
Filmed on: Sandhya & V. Shantaram


Download "Apni kaho"

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Sawan ke badlo...


Swaran Lata (December 24, 1924, Rawalpindi, British India-February 8, 2008, Lahore, Pakistan) was Sikh by birth. She lost her parents very early and was raised by her brother. She was studying in Lucknow when she was discovered by some director.

She moved to Bombay and worked on stage and later had a lot of success in Hindi movies and was called the "tragedy queen". She acted with Prithviraj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar, to name a few.
She fell in love with her co-star, Nazir Ahmed(20 years her senior) during the shooting of "Laila Majnoo" and married him. She converted to Islam and changed her name to Saeeda Bano. After partition she migrated to Lahore, Pakistan with her husband. They were a very successful team and produced several successful movies.


Karan Diwan (1917-August 2, 1979, Bombay), a successful and popular leading man of 1940s-50s Bombay film industry, who also sang some memorable songs along the way.
Some of his films were "Lahore" with Nargis, in which he sang "Duniya hamare pyar ki" with Lata Mangeshkar;
"Musafirkhana" with Shyama, and "Bahar" with Vyjayanthimala. He also acted in "Jeene ki raah" and "Gumraah" in supporting roles.


I am very thankful to Azam for agreeing to sing this duet from an era gone by.

Movie: Rattan (1944)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: D N Madhok
Original singers: Zohrabai Ambalewali & Karan Diwan

Download "Sawan ke badlo"

Friday, August 27, 2010

Aye mere humsafar...


Nutan (June 4, 1936, Bombay-February 21, 1991, Bombay)

Her first film was "Hamari beti" in 1950, produced by her mother, Shobhna Samarth; a popular actress of 1940s.


Nutan was the winner of "Miss India" in 1952.
She was married to Naval Lieutenant-Commander Rajnish Behl in 1959.
Her only son Mohinish is an actor. Her younger sister is actress Tanuja, Kajol's mother.

Filmfare Awards (Nutan has the distinction of receiving the most Filmfare awards for Best actress category)
1956 - Filmfare Best Actress Award for Seema
1959 - Filmfare Best Actress Award for Sujata
1963 - Filmfare Best Actress Award for Bandini
1967 - Filmfare Best Actress Award for Milan
1978 - Filmfare Best Actress Award for Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki

1985 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Meri Jung

1961 -Nominated for Best actress for Chhalia
1974-Nominated for Best actress for Saudagar

She received "Padma Shri", in 1974.
Many people may not be aware that she was a good singer too.
I have tried one of her songs from "Chhabili".

Nutan lost her battle with cancer in 1991.

Movie: Chhabili (1960)
Music: Snehal Bhatkar ( known for "Hamari yaad aayegi")
Lyricist: S. Ratan
Original singer: Nutan



Download "Aye mere humsafar"

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Thaheriye hosh mein aa lun...



I am very thankful to Azam for this duet.

Movie: Mohabbat is ko kahete hain (1965)
Music: Khaiyyam
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Original singers: Mohammed Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur
Filmed on: Shashi Kapoor and Nanda

Download "Thaheriye hosh mein aa lun"

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Meethee meethee baton se bachna zaraa...


I am very thankful to Noureen for helping me complete this song.

Movie: Qaidi No. 911(1959)
Music: Dattaram
Lyrics: !
Original singers: Lata Mangeshkar & Daisy Irani
Filmed on: Nanda & Daisy Irani

Download "Meethee meethee baton se"

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Ranjish hi sahi...



Mohammed Ali (November 19, 1938, Rampur, India- March 19, 2006, Lahore, Pakistan) was a very popular actor and was known as Shahenshah-e-Jazbaat. He was the winner of 7 Nigar awards for best actor, supporting actor and special award. He was married to actress Zeba.

Zeba (Shaheen- born on October 3, 1946 in Ambala, India) is one of the most famous, beautiful, glamorous and well respected actresses of Pakistan. She was a true superstar and credited for insuring success of many actors with whom she was paired.
Her first marriage to Sudhir(Pakistan's first superstar and action hero) was short lived. She married actor Mohammed Ali in 1966.

Mohammed Ali and Zeba lived a very opulent life style. Both of them were included in the 25 (all time) greatest actors of Asia which was published by CNN on March 4, 2010.


Nisar Bazmi (Syed Nisar Bazmi: 1924, Bombay, India- March 22, 2007, Karachi, Pakistan) was a famous music composer who was responsible for introducing Alamgir to Film music in Pakistan. Laxmikant-Pyarelal worked as musicians with him before the Independence of India and creation of Pakistan.

Ahmed "Faraz" ( Syed Ahmed Shah: January 14, 1931, Kohat, NWFP, British India-August 25, 2008, Islamabad, Pakistan), was one of the fine poets of his time, known for his simple yet beautiful poetry. He was outspoken and remained in self imposed exile during Zia-ul-Haq era. He was awarded Hilal-e-Imtiaz( the second highest honor given to a civilian or a military personnel in Pakistan) in 2004, for literary excellence but he returned it in 2006, showing his disapproval of Government and politics.

Mehdi Hassan (born in 1927, Luna, Rajasthan, India) is a famous Pakistani ghazal singer (known as King of Ghazals) and playback singer for Lahore film industry.

I have tried a version made popular by Runa Laila.


Movie: Mohabbat (1972)
Music: Nisar Bazmi
Lyrics: Ahmed "Faraz"
Raag: Yaman
Original singer: Mehdi Hassan
Filmed on: Mohammed Ali and Zeba



Download "Ranjish hi sahi"

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Aao bachchon tumhein dikhayen jhanki Hindustan ki...



Hindustan (Sindhu+Sthan) as it was known in ancient Persia and Middle East, means the land of the people who lived in the region of Sindhu River.
The struggle for Sovereignty has produced many Heros and Shaheed, some of whom are mentioned in this song.

India became independent from British rule on August 15, 1947 and became a republic on January 26, 1950.

Maharana Pratap of Mewar (May 9, 1540-January 29, 1597) was a contemporary of the third Mughal emperor, Akbar. Maharana was of Suryavanshi Sisodia clan. He is the symbol of Rajput pride. His horse "Chetak" has inspired songs. Maharana Pratap died of injuries sustained in a hunting accident.

Rani Padmini of Chittor : Allaudin Khilji(Sultan of Delhi) had seen her reflection in the mirror and was smitten by her beauty. He attacked Chittor in 1303 AD. Rana Rawat Singh held the fort for seven months and then gave his life up, fighting valiantly. Rani did "Jauhar" with many other women. Allaudin captured the Chittorgadh that had mostly children and old people left.

Shivaji Raje Bhosle (February 19, 1630 – April 3, 1680), popularly known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was raised and influenced by his mother, Jijabai. A contemporary of sixth Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb; Shivaji had been responsible for reemergence of Hindu rule and resistance during his lifetime.

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre is also known as the Amritsar Massacre, where, on April 13, 1919, 90 British soldiers, under the command of General Dyer; opened fire on an unarmed gathering of men, women and children . The people had gathered for peaceful protest against British occupation. The firing lasted for 10 to 15 minutes, until the soldiers ran out of ammunition. Many in the crowd jumped into a nearby well, to escape the bullets.( the footage is from the movie "Gandhi")

Subhash Chandra Bose (January 23, 1897, Orissa, British India-August 18,1945, Taiwan), a popular freedom fighter known also as "Netaji" had the same goal but conflicting views with Gandhiji. He had formed "Azad Hind Government" in exile. He is presumed to be dead in a plane crash over Taiwan.

I am very grateful to Nandita, N V Krishnan, Sarada, Azam and Pradip for joining me in this song.I am also very happy that Ragini, Gayatri and Priya did the chorus for me.

Movie: Jaagriti(1954)
Music : Hemant Kumar
Lyrics: Pradeep ji
Original singers: Pradeep ji and chorus
Filmed on: Abhi Bhattacharya and young students


Download "Aao bachchon"
आओ बच्चों तुम्हें दिखाएं ज़ांकी हिंदुस्तान की
इस मिट्टी से तिलक करो ये धरती है बलिदान की
वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम ...

उत्तर में रखवाली करता पर्वतराज विराट है
दक्षिण में चरणों को धोता सागर का सम्राट है
जमुना जी के तट को देखो गंगा का ये घाट है
बाट-बाट पे हाट-हाट में यहाँ निराला ठाठ है
देखो ये तस्वीरें अपने गौरव की अभिमान की,
इस मिट्टी से तिलक करो ये धरती है बलिदान की
वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम ...

ये है अपना राजपूताना नाज़ इसे तलवारों पे
इसने सारा जीवन काटा बरछी तीर कटारों पे
ये प्रताप का वतन पला है आझादी के नारों पे
कूद पड़ी थी यहाँ हझारों पद्मिनियाँ अंगारों पे
बोल रही है कण कण से कुरबानी राजस्थान की
इस मिट्टी से तिलक करो ये धरती है बलिदान की
वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम ...

देखो मुल्क मराठों का ये यहाँ शिवाजी डोला था
मुग़लों की ताकत को जिसने तलवारों पे तोला था
हर पर्वत पे आग लगी थी हर पत्थर एक शोला था
बोली हर-हर महादेव की बच्चा-बच्चा बोला था
यहाँ शिवाजी ने रखी थी लाज हमारी शान की
इस मिट्टी से तिलक करो ये धरती है बलिदान की
वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम ...

जलियांवाला बाग़ ये देखो यहाँ चली थी गोलियाँ
ये मत पूछो किसने खेली यहाँ खून की होलियाँ
एक तरफ़ बंदूकें दन दन एक तरफ़ थी टोलियाँ
मरनेवाले बोल रहे थे इन्क़लाब की बोलियाँ
यहाँ लगा दी बहनों ने भी बाझी अपनी जान की
इस मिट्टी से तिलक करो ये धरती है बलिदान की
वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम ...

ये देखो बंगाल यहाँ का हर चप्पा हरियाला है
यहाँ का बच्चा-बच्चा अपने देश पे मरनेवाला है
ढाला है इसको बिजली ने भूचालों ने पाला है
मुट्ठी में तूफ़ान बंधा है और प्राण में ज्वाला है
जन्मभूमि है यही हमारे वीर सुभाष महान की
इस मिट्टी से तिलक करो ये धरती है बलिदान की
वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम वंदे मातरम ...

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Akhiyan mila ke...


Zohrabai Ambalewali (1918-1990) was born into an orthodox Muslim family.
She received training under Ghulam Hussain Khan and Ustad Nasir Hussain Khan(Agra gharana).

She began her career on radio, singing mainly classical and semi-classical numbers. She also cut albums with HMV.
Music director Vasant Desai gave Zohrabai her first film song in Shakuntala (1943). Many of her popular songs were recorded for music director Naushad Ali in Ratan, Anmol Ghadi, Mela, and Jadoo.

Some of her very famous songs...
Sawan ke badlon...with Karan Diwan (Ratan)
Aayee Diwali aayee Diwali...(Ratan)
Aahen na bhari ...with Noor Jehan & Kalyani (Zeenat)
Udan khatole pe ud jaun...with Shamshad Begum (Anmol ghadi)

It is believed that Zohrabai sang the "most" number of songs between 1941-1950 (more than 1,000). Her daughter, Roshan Kumari is a famous Kathak dancer.



" Rattan" launched the career of Naushad .The story of two lovers who were separated when she was married off somewhere else, was considered a box office risk by the distributors but it turned out to be a huge success.
Lata Mangeshkar has included "Akhiyan Mila ke" in her "Shraddhanjali" album.

Movie: Rattan (1944)
Music: Naushad(1919-2006)
Lyrics: D N Madhok (1902- 1982)
Original singer: Zohrabai Ambalewali (1918-1990)
Filmed on: Swaran Lata(1924-2008) & Karan Diwan (1917-1979)


Download "Akhiyan mila ke"

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Kaahe koyal shor machaye re...




Shamshad Begum was born on April 14, 1919 in Amritsar, India. She started her singing career on Radio in Lahore on December 16, 1937. She was a big fan of K L Saigal and had watched his "Devdas" many times.

Music composer Gulam Haider Sahab used her voice in Khazanchi (1941) and Khandan(1942). When he moved to Bombay in 1944, she moved there also.

Some of her very popular songs...

Pee ke ghar aaj pyaari, Kahin pe nigahen...
Le ke pehla pehla pyar with Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle
Ho ooo bachpan ke din bhula na dena & Teri mehfil mein with Lata Mangeshkar
Meri neendon mein tum with Kishore Kumar
Milte hi aankhein with Talat Mehmood
Kajra Mohabbat wala with Asha Bhosle

She received "Padma Bhushan" in 2009, the third highest civilian honor awarded by the President of India. She was in the company of "Padma Shri" recipients for 2009... Helen, Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Akshay Kumar from the Bombay film industry.

Shamshad Begum was married to Late Ganpat Lal Batto and has a daughter named Usha Ratra.






Movie: Aag (1948)
First film under RK banner, first film for Raj Kapoor as a Producer and Director and his first film with Nargis
Music: Ram Ganguli
Lyrics:Behzad Lakhnawi
Original singer: Shamshad Begum
Filmed on: Nargis



Download "Kaahe koyal shor machaye re"

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Namak Ishq Ka...





Movie: Omkara (2006)
Music director:Vishal Bhardwaj
Lyricist: Gulzar
Original singer: Rekha Bhardwaj
Filmed on: Bipasha Basu as "Billo Chamanbahar"



Download "Namak Ishq Ka"

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Andaaz mera mastana...




"Andaaz mera mastana" is filmed on Meena Kumari and Raj Kumar, depicting a charity show by the hospital staff, Raj Kumar playing the role of the doctor and Meena Kumari and the other dancers are the nurses...the set is reminiscent of a scene from "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam "...

Omar Khayyam (May 18, 1048, Neishapur, Iran -December 4, 1122, Neishapur, Iran) was a renowned Persian poet, mathematician, physicist, philosopher and astronomer.

Shankar-Jaikishen won the Filmfare award for the "best music director(s)" for "Dil apna aur preet parayee". Other nominees were Naushad for "Mughal-e-Azam" and Ravi for "Chaudhvin ka chaand".


Movie: Dil apna aur preet parayee (1960)
Music: Shankar-Jaikishan
Lyrics: Shailendra
Original singers: Lata Mangeshkar and chorus



Download "Andaaz mera mastana"

Monday, August 17, 2009

Raag Miyan ki Todi




Miyan Tansen (born Ramtanu Pandey 1506 – 1589) , one of the greatest vocalists and composers of Hindustani classical music was born in Behat, near Gwalior to Hindu Brahmin parents. He learnt music from Swami Haridas of Brindavan and later from Muhammad Ghaus (Sufi saint of Shattari order).

He is believed to be the contemporary of Baiju Bawra. He was in the court of King Ramchandra Baghela of Reva when Shehanshah Akbar called for him and kept him in his court as one of the Navratna (nine jewels). Tansen later converted to Islam. Akbar honored him with the title of "Miyan".


Several of the Hindustani Raag are composed by him and often called...Miyan ki Todi, Miyan ki Malhar, Miyan ki Mand and Miyan ka Sarang. He is also credited with creating major raag like Darbari Kanada, Darbari Todi, and Rageshwari.

Swami Haridas, Tansen and Baiju Bawra were "Dhrupad" style singers.

Tansen married Husseini. All his children, Tanras Khan, Bilas Khan, Hamirsen, Suratsen and Saraswati Devi were musicians.Almost all Gharanas of Hindustani music trace their lineage to Tansen. Tansen was buried in the mousoleum complex of his Guru, Muhammed Ghaus, in Gwalior.


"Khuda-e-Bartar" is based on Raag Miyan ki Todi, (similar raag..Bilaskhani Todi, Gurjari Todi).
Despite the obvious strain on my voice from not being well, I have selected this song because of Sahir's lyrics.

I thank Rajesh for singing the Pakad (quintessence) of Raag Todi.

Thaat: Todi
Aaroha: S-r-g-M-dh-N-S’
Avaroha: S’-N-dh-P-M-g-r-g-r-s
Jaati: Shadav-Sampoorn
Vaadi/Samvaadi : dh/g
Prahar: Morning (9 - 12)



Movie: Taj Mahal(1963)
Music: Roshan
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Original singer: Lata Mangeshkar



Download "Khuda-e-bartar"



Download "Todi"
Khuda-e-bartar teri zameeN par, zameeN ki Khaatir, ye jaNg kyoN hai?
har ik fatah-o-zafar ke daaman pe Khuun-e-insaaN ka raNg kyoN hai?

zameeN bhi teri, haiN ham bhi tere, ye milkiyat ka savaal kyaa hai?
ye qatl-o-KhuuN ka rivaaz kyoN haiN? ye rasm-o-jaNg-o-jadaal kyaa hai?
jinheiN talab hai jahaan bhar ki unhiiN ka dil itnaa taNg kyoN hai?
Khuda-e-bartar teri zameeN par, zameeN ki Khaatir, ye jaNg kyoN hai?

Ghareeb maaoN, shareef behnoN ko amn-o-izzat kii zindagii de
jinheiN ataa kii hai tuu ne taaqat, unheiN hidaayat kii roshnii de
saroN meiN kibr-o-Gharoor kyoN hai? diloN ke sheeshe pe zaNg kyoN hai?
Khuda-e-bartar teri zameeN par, zameeN ki Khaatir ye jaNg kyoN hai?

qazaa ke raste pe jaanevaaloN ko bach ke aane kii raah dena
diloN ke gulshan ujaR na jaayeiN, muhabbatoN ko panaah dena
jahaaN meiN jashn-e-vafaa ke badle, ye jashn-e-teer-o-tufaNg kyoN hai?
Khuda-e-bartar teri zameeN par, zameeN ki Khaatir, ye jaNg kyoN hai?

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Jaane kahan mera jigar gayaa ji...



Johnny Walker (Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi... May 15, 1923-July 29, 2003) was born in Srinagar, India. His father was a mill worker. The family later moved to Bombay. Badruddin tried different occupations and while he was working as a bus conductor on the B.E.S.T. line that he caught the attention of Balraj Sahni, who was working on the screenplay of Guru Dutt's Baazi.
Guru Dutt gave him the screen name "Johnny Walker" and they remained good friends. Guru Dutt always made sure to have a role for Johnny Walker in his films.

Johnny Walker met Noor(actress Shakila's sister) on the set of Aar Paar and later married her. They had 3 daughters and 3 sons.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was quite fond of Johnny Walker.

He acted in many films...including Baazi(1951), Aar paar, Mr. & Mrs. 55, Pyaasa, Devdaas, Mughal-e-Azam, Chaudhvin ka chaand, Kagaz ke phool, Anand, Shaan....his last film was Kamal Hasan's Chachi 420(1998)

Some of his very memorable roles were in C.I.D.(1956), Chori chori (1956),Madhumati(1958) and Mere Mehboob(1963).

Awards...
Best supporting actor, Madhumati (1958)
Best Comedian, Shikar (1968)

Some of the songs filmed on Johnny Walker...
Aye dil hai mushkil ...C.I.D.
Dekhta chala gayaa main ...Gateway of India
Gareeb jaan ke...Chhoo mantar
Sar jo tera chakraye...Pyaasa
Mera yaar bana hai dulha...Chaudhveen ka chaand
Jungal mein mor nacha...Madhumati

I thank Azam for helping me pay tribute to the one and only, Johnny Walker...

Movie: Mr. & Mrs. 55(1955)
Music: O.P. Nayyar
Lyrics:Majrooh Sultanpuri
Original singers: Mohammed Rafi & Geeta Dutt
Filmed on: Johnny Walker & Yasmin


Download "Jaane kahan mera jigar gayaa ji"