Saturday, 19 November 2011

Padma Bhushan – Dada Saheb Phalke Naushad Ali (Part 1)

Repairing Harmoniums to creating Harmony

Part1: Song: Pyar Kiya Tho Darna Kya - Film-Mughal-E-Azam

Born before India’s Independence on 25th December, 1919 was an Indian Music Director. He was one the most successful music directors in Hindi films and according to me is known specifically for bringing Classical Indian Music & Indian Folk music to the Western world during his times.

Naushad saheb during his childhood used to listen to great qawal’s on the banks of Barabanki performing before devotees at Deva Sharif.  He studied Hindustani Classical music under Ustad Ghurbat Ali, Ustad Yusuf Ali, Ustad Baben Shaeb and others. He used to repair harmoniums those days.

Naushad saheb is one of those few music directors who never used to work for money or fame but used to work for the pleasure of creating music which would stand the time. I strongly believe as a creative person you should never be satisfied with your best works – because, once you think this is my best, than that is the end of the road for your creativity. I wish to remind one and all that there has never been a second master piece from anybody in this world though they worked even after. I felt that Naushad Saheb is from that school of thought which says “Pyaas Meri Bhuj Gayi Hoti; Tho Zindagi Phir Na Zindagi Hoti” meaning if my thirst for music ends my life ends.

History Byte: Mughal-E-Azam
Song: Pyar Kiya Tho Darna Kya

Anarkali and Mughal-E-Azam had the same story line & situation along with the characters. The Director K Asif did not budge even an inch when reminded by Naushad saheb and in return told Naushad Saheb that it is your examination and not mine so go and compose. So, Naushad Saheb and Shakeel Badayuni (Gr8 lyricist shall talk about him in my next blogpost) sat from morning 6 to next day morning 6.00 am and came out after having written and composed many lyrics & songs before finalising this song which even today is a testimony to this legend composer as it stands the time even after 51 years and shall live till the time ends.
So, my tribute goes to those nights of toil that these people had put in to give millions of music hearts the pleasure of Indian music, which goes unmentioned.
I sincerely hope that you will enjoy this melody from one of the legends of Indian Music Naushad Saheb.



Do let me know if you have enjoyed this article & music.

Sunday, 13 November 2011

G.K. Venkatesh, Music Director (Kannada-Tamil-Telugu)

Gurjada Krishnadas Venkatesh,  popularly known as GK Venkatesh is one of the most prominent music composer of  Kannada movies during the 1960s, ‘70s & late ‘80s. He also composed music for Tamil & Telugu movies. He has left behind many unforgettable melodies in Kannada/Tamil/Telugu  films. You can say he was the pioneer who brought Western background score into Kannada films. GKV used elaborate Western-style orchestration in his songs, be they of any genre. He has scored music for all Bond movies of Late Dr. Rajkumar in 60-70's.
Interesting aspect of this music composer is that the very genius that we all know today called “ILLAYARAJA” worked under him as an assistant for more than 200 Films. More over if we listen to compositions of Illayaraja during his beginning days as music composer you can feel that there has been a lot of influence of GK Venkatesh.

If we just listen to “Kanulalo Ne Roopam” from the movie "Ravanude Ramudaithe”which was GKV’s composition and listen to “Neeve Amara Swarame” from "Gharshana", we can feel the influence of GKV in Illayaraja’s composition during that time.
He is the one who introduced Dr. Rajkumar, as a singer in Ohileshwara (Song. Sharanu Shambu) & recorded Dr.Raj's first duet in Mahishasura Mardhini (song: Tumbitu Manava with S. Janaki). He composed more than 50 movies in which Dr. Rajkumar played hero.
He successfully brought the Legendary singer Dr. Bhimsen Joshi to sing for films "Sandhyaraga" in 1966. Bhimsen Joshi sang again in 1983 in the movie "Nodi Swami Navirodu Heege".
During the times Ustad BIsmillah Khan was very reluctant to play Shehnai for films but GKV got the master Shenai player to play shehnai for lead character Appanna (Played by Dr. Rajkumar)  in the film "Sanadi Appana" in 1977. Infact this song went on to become a charbuster & used to be played on AIR regularly in Kannada Radio.

I am just playing some interesting melodies of the composer in all three languages below, hope you enjoy the music.


History Byte: Film Kasturi Nivasa Language: Kannada Singer: PB Sreenivas
This movie hit the tamil screens in the name of Avandan Manidan. Which was Sivaji Ganeshan's 100th Film. When Released it ran ony for 4 weeks due to the contract with the exhibitors, but ran for 100 days on its second release.


History Byte: Film-Ravanude Ramudaithe Language: Telugu


History Byte: Tamil Song from the movie Ponnuku Thanga Manasu


History Byte: Film-Bangarada Manushya Language-Kannada


History Byte: Film-America Ammayi Language-Telugu


History Byte: Film-Sridevi Language - Telugu

Hope you enjoy the music GK Venkatesh.

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Illayaraja-Asha Bhosle

Dear Friends,

Illayaraja, is a true music maestro in every sense to prove this point I wish to share with you my understanding during the making of the film "Hey Ram" the music score was originally composed by world renowned violinist Dr. L. Subrahmanian and the songs had been canned (filmed). When Kamal Hassan approached the maestro due to some tiff that he had with Dr. L. Subrahmanian, I have read that he had told the maestro that he give new tunes for this film and he shall re-shoot all the songs in the movie. But, the maestro told him he will compose the song with new lyrics keeping the lip-sink and the emotion intact and the result is what you would see and listen to the link below. Truly a masterpiece composition by the maestro and sung by Asha Bhosle and Hariharan.

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Asha Bhosle & Hariharan singing in Hey Ram

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/E1gsJG6W1hM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Asha Bhonsle's most popular song in tamil

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Asha Bhosle - SPB, Film-Ashwamedham (Telugu)