Hame Tumse Pyar Kitana (Kudrat - 1981)

Here's another one of the Kishore Kumar's/R.D Burman's gems. Extremely romantic and passionate song rendered daintily by the maestro. Great song choice dad and thanks a lot for the recommendation. I know you asked me to sing my songs patiently and carefully but I couldn't resist to get this gem out in a hurry on my blog.... :) Thanks a lot for the reco!!

Here goes my attempt to sing this golden song !!

Chahoonga Main Tujhe (Dosti - 1964)

Maestro Rafi gives a heart warming performance in this deeply emotional composition by the legendary Laxmikant Pyarelal from the movie "Dosti". This song, like some others I have on my blog, is way way before my time, however growing up as a kid I could always hear my dear Mama chanting this song at my Grandma's place. The melody and emotions in this tune always fascinated me since my childhood and soon it was one of my most admired rendition from Rafi. Not only its technically a tough song to sing but Rafi packs in loads and loads of emotions in every word making my job all the more tough but an exciting experience.

Here goes my modest attempt to bring out the emotions in this songs !!

Wada Karo (Aa Gale Lag Ja - 1973)

A wonderful romantic composition from R.D Burman from movie "Aa Gale Lag Ja". The song is exquisitely rendered by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. Kishore Kumar Ganguly...a name which has become something more than just a mere example of an exemplary and anointed music. His songs have always been a treat for music lovers and the same goes with Lata Mangeshkar. The immortal fame of Kishore Kumar undoubtedly owes to a large extent to the immortal tunes of RD Burman.

Lending the female voice to this duet is one of my good friend and colleague, Smitha, who is very talented to say the least and is training in classical singing. Thanks a lot !!

Here goes the attempt to sing this classic of all times !!

Kehna Hai (Padosan - 1968) -- Re-recorded

"Kehna Hai" is arguably one of the most classic songs of one of the most classic movies of all times. Amazing music by R.D Burman, the song is rendered terrificly by Kishore Kumar. Kishore Kumar, who had no formal training in classical singing, displays amazing natural vocal abilities in this song. Legend has it that the song 'Ek Chatur Naar', from this movie, (a duet by Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey) was partly improvised by Kishore Kumar at the time of recording and Manna Day, determined to show Kishore Kumar how he would sing the duet better (since Kishore had not been trained classically), got into the mood of the song and immortalized 'Ek Chatur Naar'.

I really want to thank Laksmi akka for requesting me to sing this wonderful composition. It was a tough job finding the soundtrack for this music but my persistence paid off and in the process I also happened to find a stash of other hits of Kishore Kumar. More Kishore Kumar songs in future.....
Thanks again for all the encouragement !!

Here goes my modest rendition of this classic !

Yaad Na Jaaye (Dil Ek Mandi - 1963) -- Re-recorded

Last night I was viewing videos of some of the Sonu's Concerts in the past and I happened to stumble upon his concert "Rafi Resurrected - An Evening In London" videos. "Yaad Na Jaaye" was the opening song of the act and it was amazingly recreated by Sonu. The concert was a symphonic interpretation of the finest old melodies sung by Rafi with 75 of the most talented musicians from Birmingham's symphony group lending a phenomenal score to Sonu's vocal prowess.

No sooner did I listen to it, I knew I had to....had to...try giving it a shot.

Here goes my attempt at this timeless classic!!

Chu lene do nazuk (Kaajal - 1965)

Put it simply this song is a masterpiece. Beautiful lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi and masterfully rendered by Rafi, this song is one of my most favorite. Music is by Ravi. Both mellow and melodious, Rafi's voice graces the heights and depths of this song. The special emphasis on words by the master was key in bringing the right emotions the song demanded.

An interesting trivia : The song was picturized on the legendary Raj Kumar and Meena Kumari. Ironically (with reference to this song), Raj Kumar died because of not drinking and Meena Kumari died of cirrhosis of the liver due to heavy drinking.

Here's my modest attempt to sing this masterpiece!!

Chand Sifarish (Fanna - 2006)

A beautiful song from the the movie 'Fanaa' undoubtedly the most melodious song of 2006. Music by Jatin-latin (one my favorite music directors of recent times) inspires awe and admiration ! This is my most favorite song in this movie, rendered tastefully and delicately by Shaan. Kailash Kher on the high octave notes "Subhan Allah....Subhan Allah". For me, singing the high octave notes was a big challenge, since it involved lots of "harkat" while maintaining a high pitch.

Here's my go at this beautiful composition!

Kya Mujhe Pyar Hai (Woh Lamhe - 2006)

A beautiful song from the movie Woh Lamhe. Music by Pritam is very soothing to the senses. Kay Kay renders the song beautifully with his crisp voice. The song "Kya Mujhe Pyar Hai", was lifted by composer Pritam, from "Tak Bisakah", composed by Indonesian band Peterpan, honoring the latest tradition of "song lifting" in Bollywood!!! :D

Here goes my attempt singing this melody!

कौन है जो सपनों में आया (झुक गया आसमान - 1968)

This was how the magic was created (with a sitar and a harmonium !!). Even the toughest of the songs looked ridiculuosly easy when Mohd Rafi sang it...truly the greatest ever...Music by the dynamic duo Shankar-Jaikishan who I rate as one the best composers ever as evident from the fact that they were honored with the most number of filmfare awards till date. This melodious tune needs no praise. Here goes my attempt to recreate some fraction of the magic !

पुकारता चला हूँ मैं (मेरे सनम - 1965)

The OP-Rafi combo symbolised lively and vibrant music। Pukarta chala hoon main epitomised their combination. Then you have Rafi with GeetaJawaniyan yeh mast mast, Laakhon hain nigahon mein, Phir wohi dil laya hoon, Aap ke haseen rukh pe. And the Rafi-Asha duet that made every music lover deewana: Deewana hua badal. What superb orchestration with sitar, sarangi, flute and drums! And Rafi’s special emphasis on “dil jhooma”. No one could play with words like he did! And, of course, when we talk about Nayyar O P, we must mention the wonderful Rafi-Asha team. Maang ke saath tumhara, Main pyar ka rahi hoon, Aap yunhi agar humse milte rahe, Isharon isharon mein, Phir miloge kabhi, Mujhe mera pyar de de, Humdum mere khel na jaano; the list is practically endless. Here's my attempt to sing this timeless melody.

Aisa Pehli Bar Hua Hai (Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega - 2000)

A rocking song and a rocking performance by Salu and Sonu. Music by Anu Malik, this is a very high energy song where Sonu displays another rockstar aspect of his singing and belts out the dance number which has some sounding similarity with the title track of "Janam Samjha Karo". The compositions do take time to grow on you, but once they do, you enjoy them. Here's goes my attempt !!

लिखे जो ख़त तुझे (कन्यादान - 1969)

A beautiful song from movie "Kanyadan" composed by the dynamic duo Shankar-Jaikisan and beautifully sung by Mohd. Rafi. It's a song I admire and was craving to sing. Here goes my attempt to sing this ethereal composition.

Zindagi Maut Na Banjaye (Sarfarosh - 1999)

A composition to die for.

RESPECTFUL HOMAGE TO ALL KILLED IN NOV 26 MUMBAI ATTACK

Really its one of my most favorite songs. The amazing talent of Sonu Nigam and Roop Kumar Rathod is displayed at its apex in this song. A sheer delight for anybody who has a taste for great music. Jatin-Lalit, the duo music directors have done a tremendous job extracting every ounce of talent from both the vocally gifted singers. There is lot of classical and gazal style singing involved. I would rate this song as one of the toughest song ever composed. Its stupidity and sheer love for this song that has made me even attempt singing this great composition. I've never had any real formal training in classical or gazal singing which could make my song selection to most, who know me, as "madness". As it is said "Great Risks Brings Great Reward". I have done the "Risk" part here and the satisfaction I get on finishing rendering of this vocal is extremely "pleasure filled" to say the least. The soundtrack did not have the "chorus" part so I tried to do a little improvisation singing those parts multiple times and then super-imposed them to get the same feel. Also singing the "Sargam" notes at the end (which again has been sung together by both the singers in the original) of the song was a very challenging experience and I tried to do as much justice with it as my little talent could afford to. Also tried to super-impose two version of this "Sargam" both sung by me at different pitch. Hope everyone who listens this song will enjoy it as much as I did singing it !!!

Badan Pe Sitare (Prince - 1969)

CLASSIC !! CLASSIC !! CLASSIC !! All I can say is that its one of the liveliest and classic dance-floor worthy rock-n-roll ever with marvelous rendering by Mohd. Rafi. Music by Shanker-Jaikishan. Shammi Kapoor, in the song, looks like he came to shoot straight from the family Thanksgiving dinner where he gorged a whole Turkey wearing a suite which wasn't tailored for such an emergency :D . Here's my attempt to sing this wonderful composition.

Tanhayee (Dil Chahta Hai - 2001)

A wonderful song from a wonderful movie. I have lost the count of how many times I have seen this movie. Music from Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is amazing. They try to experiment and explore uncharted areas of music in this movie and do so with quite some sucess. This is one of the very dramatic and emotionally charged songs. The music is becharming to put it simply ! Sonu Nigam does a superb job rendering the vocal. Here goes my modest rendition of this all time classic.

Pathar ke Sanam (1967)

Although I haven't seen this movie but the ethereal melody of this song and the great panache with which Mohammad Rafi sang this song has always fascinated me. In this song we see a distinctive and stylishly elegant singing by the maestro (Rafi) !! Here's my attempt to sing this great composition.

Tu Hi Tu (Dil Se - 1998)

My first baby steps...

Although I have been a bathroom singer like forever and learned carnatic singing for a brief period (thanks to a dedicated guru - my grandpa), its only recently that I have cultivated this immense interest in honing my singing skills.

To tell you frankly, singing is great emotional vent for me and kinda way to retrospect. All these song selections have a meaning in my life. Some bring out happy emotions and some make me nostalgic. But either way they help me relive my "good ole days".

I have developed a great admiration for Sonu Nigam as my song selections would aptly reflect but the iconic Mohammad Rafi tops my all time favorite singers.

Tu hi Tu .This song is from the movie Dil Se (1998). A very elegant flowing composition from AR Rahaman and a beautiful rendition by Sonu Nigam. Rahaman's music epitomizes music meeting an art-form. His blessed touch to the music takes one to a heavenly abode. His subtle variations in the musical notes and use of a wide range of musical instruments have always been a treat for the senses.