Music In The Mountains: Kandhon Se Milte Hain Kandhe

We are forever grateful to our brave soldiers for guarding the borders of our country. They live and work in inhabitable locales under difficult conditions to provide safety and security to their fellow countrymen and women. We always wish well for them, but just as we send our wishes to people on their birthdays even though we mean it all through the year; we express our gratitude to our soldiers on a day like this when we celebrate our Independence Day.

Presenting a song from "Lakshya" (2004) today. It is a war drama that tells the story of an aimless man who gets transformed into a focused army officer due to the circumstances in his life. The events in the film are set against a fictional backdrop of the Kargil War. But the dedication, determination and valour of the men is as real as can be!

Singers: Hariharan, Kunal Ganjawala, Roop Kumar Rathod, Shankar Mahadevan, Sonu Nigam, Vijay Prakash

Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

Music: Shankar Ehsaan Loy

Music In The Mountains: Seemaen Bulaaen Tujhe Chal Raahi

When I started working on the current theme, I knew that the majority of songs appearing here would have romance as the common thread. I also expected many songs that would talk about the Nature or seasons or beauty of the hills. While it is true that a large number of memorable songs belong to these categories, I would like to look out for songs that express other emotions. They will give more dimensions to this theme and make it more complete.

The number being featured today is from "LOC Kargil" (2003). It highlights the sacrifice of families who stay behind and send their loved ones to protect the borders of our country from the enemy. Javed Akhtar's words fill your heart with pride for our brave soldiers, making your eyes moist at the same time for those who wait for them at home.

Singer: Alka Yagnik
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: Anu Malik

Saawan Songs: Aisa Des Hai Mera

Greetings! India celebrates its Independence Day today.

It is mostly fun and sometimes a challenge to find a song for a special day as today, and match it with the ongoing theme. I am happy to present a beautiful song from "Veer Zaara" (2004) today. The visuals are stunning and the lyrics lovely. The composition is pleasant too. And yes, there is a bit of saawan in it, with Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta getting drenched in the rain in spite of being under a blue plastic sheet.

Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Udit Narayan, Gurdas Maan, Pritha Majumdar
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: Madan Mohan

Garden Of Five Senses: Phoolon Mein Jo Khushboo Hai

Watch Aishwarya Rai and Prashanth frolicking around the seven wonders of the world in this romantic duet from "Jeans" (1998). It was made originally in Tamil and later dubbed in Hindi. It was the most expensive Indian film made at that time. India nominated this film as its official entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category for the Academy Awards in 1998.

Singers: Sadhana Sargam, Hariharan
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: A. R. Rahman

Garden Of Five Senses: Suno Na Suno Na

This solo from "Chalte Chalte" (2003) is shot on a beautiful location. Good lyrics and peppy music go hand in hand to make it a hummable, likeable song. It was perhaps the most popular number from the film's repertoire.

Singer: Abhijeet
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: Aadesh Shrivastava

Garden Of Five Senses: Dheemi Dheemi Bheeni Bheeni

"1947: Earth" (1998) is a sensitive film based on Bapsi Sidhwa's novel "Cracking India" (also published as "Ice Candy Man"). Centred around the partition of India, the story takes place in Lahore. A beautiful composition from this film today. The video from the film does not include the full song. So, posting the full song without the video too.

Singer: Hariharan
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: A. R. Rahman

Garden Of Five Senses: Tumko Dekha Toh Yeh Khayaal Aaya

This post is dedicated to Farooq Shaikh who is no more. This beautiful ghazal from "Saath Saath" (1982) features him with the lovely Deepti Naval. Together, they made one of the best on-screen couples. Also, watch them in Yeh tera ghar yeh mera ghar from the same film, posted earlier in this space in "Her Story".

Singers: Chitra Singh, Jagjit Singh
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: Kuldip Singh

Garden Of Five Senses: Ek Ladki Ko Dekha

Great lyrics, superb music (R. D. Burman's last work) and lovely visuals shot in scenic hilly locales. That is what today's song is all about. This solo from "1942: A Love Story " (1994) is one of Javed Akhtar's best. It brought him the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist. Kumar Sanu bagged it for Best Male Playback Singer.

According to trivia, this song was written keeping Madhuri Dixit in mind, as she was supposed to play the female lead. But for some reason, it went to Manisha Koirala. In an earlier series "Her Story", I have posted "Pyaar hua chupke se " featuring her.

Singer: Kumar Sanu
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: R. D. Burman

Rain Songs: Ghir Ghir Aayi Badariya Kaari

Listen to a very beautiful song based on classical music today. It is from Shyam Benegal's critically acclaimed film "Sardari Begum"(1996) that won National Awards in several categories. Noted classical vocalist Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar has lent her sonorous voice to this lovely composition. Posting the full song without the video from the film. The clip from the film shows only a part of the number.

Singer: Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: Vanraj Bhatia

Rain Songs: Baadal Ghumad Badh Aaye

Sai Paranjpye's "Saaz"(1998) was perhaps inspired by the lives of sisters Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. It told the tale of two sisters who inherit nothing but immense musical talent from their father. How much the rest of the film had in common with the real life story of the legendary sisters is not known. Being all about singers, it had 10 wonderful songs and the music was composed by Yashwant Deo, Bhupen Hazarika, Zakir Hussain and Raj Kamal. A lovely track from this film today. There are two versions, one in male voice and another in female voice. The clip for the female version is not available. I could not find out who amongst the four named above has composed this particular number.

Singer: Suresh Wadkar
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

Rain Songs: Ghanan Ghanan

"Lagaan" (2001) was a film in which rains--rather the absence of rains--formed the crux of the story. A very popular song from that film today. The whole village has gathered in anticipation of rain showers. Celebrations have already begun. But a hush descends as the clouds decide to give the village a miss and start receding.

Singers: Sukhwinder Singh, Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: A. R. Rahman

Rain Songs: Rim Jhim Rim Jhim

"1942: A Love Story" (1994) was a good film with memorable music by R. D. Burman. It was the last film that he composed for. In fact, it was released after he passed away. A sweet duet from that film today.

Singers: Kavita Krishnamurthy, Kumar Sanu
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: R. D. Burman

Her Story: Settling Down

The new bride and groom find pleasure in everyday chores when they settle down in their new home. Here is a number from "Saath Saath" (1982), that shows a young couple finding their feet in a small house in Mumbai.

Singers: Chitra Singh, Jagjit Singh
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: Kuldip Singh

Her Story: Love Blossoming!

She is ecstatic. She has just realised that she has found that 'special someone' in her life. This song from "1942: A Love Story" (1993) conveys her emotions in the most beautiful manner. Lovely lyrics, catchy composition and a marvellous Manisha Koirala went on to create this memorable melody. Enjoy it, it is an audio-visual treat.

Trivia: This film was R. D. Burman's last work as a composer. It brought him one of the three Filmfare Awards that he received in his entire career, although he was nominated for 16 films. This was the first Indian film to use Dolby Stereo.

Kavita Krishnamurthy bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback for this song. She married Violin Virtuoso L. Subramaniam and settled down in Bangalore. Javed Akhtar received a Filmfare Award for Best Lyrics too, but for another song from this film, Ek ladki ko dekha toh aisa laga.

Singer: Kavita Krishnamurthy
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: R. D. Burman