Khush Raho, Ahal-e-Watan..

It has been a long time since I visited this page. There have been reasons - the procastination being one of them, and finding a suitable occassion being another. I realised that today could be a good day to begin another phase where we explore the genius of Pancham.

It was 21 years ago, this day, when he moved away from this world and yet his legacy has lived on. In fact, his music is sounding as fresh and is as popular now, as it was then. While writing about him today I was looking for a suitable song and came across this gem .

Words – especially those which are well thought out lasts forever. The times may change and one fine day the same phrase re-appear again, looking as befitting and as apt as they were years ago – or in this particular case – centuries ago.

Around 1857, Wajid Ali Shah, the Nawab of Awadh was forced to abdicate his throne & was exiled from his beloved city Lucknow. It was this pain that made him pen a couplet that has been used many a times.

Our history tells us that one of the earliest user was Shahid Bhagat Singh when he wrote his final farewell letter from the gallows to his brother.

Almost 50 years later, in 1982, Gulzar was making a movie based on a truck driver’s life and his interaction with a family full of women. Perhaps taking an inspiration from the truck art – this couplet is quite often seen on the trucks - Gulzar used the last line of this couplet and penned lyrics of what could be an eternal journey song, in Kishore Kumar’s inimitable baritone for movie Namkeen.

Pancham of course was at his prime when Namkeen was produced, and created a composition where simplicity of instruments and the creative use of Hindustani Ragas – Malkauns for the night drive & Megh Malhar for the rainy season – turned it not only a classic, but also a perfect song as his legacy for his fans.

So here it is:

Aise Ujade Ashiyane, Tinke Ud Gaye 
Bastiyon Tak Aate Aate Raaste Mud Gaye 
Hum Thahar Jayen Jahan
Usko Shahar Kahte Hain 
Raah Pe Rahte Hain 
Yadon Pe Basar Karte Hain 
Khush Raho Ahal-e-Watan, Hum To Safar Karte Hain

Phir Se Aaiyo, Badra Bidesi..

While on my regular evening walk today,there it was - after a hiatus of almost 2 months - a perfect setting Sun. There were a few clouds but too few and too scattered to make any difference. It seems the time to bid adieu to another monsoon is here. A perfect way to end a week that began with the birthday of Asha Bhosle.

Now, just in case you all are wondering about the missing connection that my ramblings are hinting at, here is another gem of Pancham. A not so heard composition from one of Gulzar's unsung works - Namkeen.

Namkeen was a 1982 release starring Waheeda, Sharmila, Shabana, Kiran Vairale and Sanjeev Kumar, and was centered around the world of Waheeda & her three daughters, and the interplay of their emotions, aspirations & relationship - before and after the entry of Sanjeev Kumar in their household.

The composition I was talking about is at the moment when one you are in love with has gone away, without a hint of promise to return. It is not really a complete heart-break. There is an uncertainty, a lingering doubt and yet there is a hope.

Pancham created a haunting melody, using the reverberating effect of percussion instruments which coupled with a drawling & distortion effect of very soft Guitar notes bring out the pathos. Asha's voice, with the mountains as backdrop, echoes Shabana's musings & sentiments, as she roams amidst the melancholic & foggy Rohtang Pass, almost touching the clouds, asking:

Tere jaane ki rut main jaanti hoon , 
Mud ki aane ki reet hai ki nahi?

Kali darga se poochungi jaake

Tere mann mein bhi preet hai ki nahi?

Kachchi puliya se hoke gujariyo, 

Kachchi puliya kinaare milungi

Phir se aiyo badra bidesi, 

Tere pankhon pe moti jadungi