Rimjhim Gire Saawan

Two years ago, when I started sharing my favourite Pancham songs, little did I know how interesting & fulfilling this journey would be. On one hand, it helped me exploring such different facets of Pancham, also enriching my knowledge about the music itself. On the other hand, I got to know so many other die-hard fans of his music – much more passionate & aware of the magic that R D Burman created during his life time & of his legacy.

This 150th post is, hence, dedicated to that legion of Pancham fans for whom his music is a window to another world altogether - for whom Pancham's sur is the whole sargam. It would have been difficult to choose a befitting song but the weather outside made it easier.

I am sure the moment it starts raining, there are a number of songs one can think of from RD’s repertoire, but the one that comes uppermost to everyone’s mind is this one – a perfect song – more so because it has two solo versions sung by two most preferred singers of Pancham – Lata & Kishore

Yes, it is Rimjhim Gire Saawan – from Manzil, a Basu Chatterjee movie with Amitabh & Moushami, released in 1979.

The song was featured in two different situations in the movie with two – though not strikingly –different moods.

One is picturised outdoor in the real rain, with K K Mahajan’s incognito camera following the pair (Moushami at her natural best) through the city, and capturing South Bombay’s beauty in monsoon. The other is an indoor song, set in a party to celebrate a wedding.

One is of a girl in love, experiencing the rain with her beloved, letting her feelings & thoughts take flight. The other, in a male voice, is more about the feeling of getting attracted, but being unsure if the feelings are right or will be reciprocated.

The composition – set in Raga Kirwani - remains same yet the treatment differs with the situation.

The one sung by Lata has faster tempo, more instruments and with Lata’s aalaap during each stanza, and the way it extends to meets the notes of Santoor & Guitar, really soars.

The one sung by Kishore has lesser number of instruments, Sitar being the major one, but brings out the feelings of that growing attraction. The verse, or rather really the poem, penned by Yogesh, differs too – again to match the moods.

Normally it is always the case of at least one version having an upper hand, but for this particular song, it really is difficult to choose which one would be my favourite – specially since both bring to you that whiff of petrichor that comes with the very first rains. So here is the combination – giving you both the versions together:

Mahafil Men Kaise Kah Den Kisi Se,

Dil Bandh Rahaa Hai Kis Ajanabi Se

Haye Karen Ab Kyaa Jatan, 

Sulag Sulag Jaae Man

Bheege Aaj Is Mausam men

Lagi Kaisi Yeh Agan

Rimjhim Gire Saawan

Is Bar Saawan Dahaka Hua Hai 

Is Bar Mausam Bahaka Hua Hai

Jane Pee Ke Chali Kya Pavan, 

Sulag Sulag Jaye Man

Bheege Aaj Is Mausam men

Lagi Kaisi Yeh Agan

Rimjhim Gire Saawan