A.R. Rahman’s hit track ‘Paathshala’ from the film ‘Rang De Basanti’ still rules the top Bollywood album position. It is an energetic number and captures the psyche of today’s youth. Let’s look at the 10 Hindi songs of the week:

1. Paathshala from Rang De Basanti
Singers: Naresh Iyer, Mohammed Aslam; Music: A.R. Rahman.
The song’s popularity is still soaring and it has perched itself in the first position. (more…)

Evergreen lyricist Gulzar was nominated for three of his works in this year’s Filmfare awards - ‘Dheere jalna’ from ‘Paheli’, ‘Chup chup ke’ from ‘Bunty Aur Babli’ and ‘Kajra re’ again from ‘Bunty Aur Babli’. Of course his ‘Kajra re’ was the hot favorite of everyone. Gulzar thinks this award wining song is not devoid of poetry. At this moment he is writing songs for editor Shirish Kunder’s directorial debut ‘Jaan-E-Man’ and wants to learn the language of mainstream cinema.

You seem to be on a quest for new peaks to conquer.
Recently I returned from Chennai after a music sitting with Mani Ratnam and A.R. Rahman. We are working together again after ‘Dil Se’ for Mani’s ‘Guru’. Again we’ll try to attempt a different sound. Guru has a serious layer below the surface, which I’ll tap as a poet. Mani Ratnam is the only director who asks for abstract images. It’s lovely to share my poetry with him. His Hindi is getting better. But I’m lagging behind. My Tamil should improve soon.

As a lyricist, I’d say my first turning point as an abstract lyricist was ‘Humne dekhi hai un aankhon ki mehekti khushboo’ in ‘Khamoshi’. Another turning point was Mani Ratnam’s ‘Dil Se’ where with ‘Chaiyyan chaiyyan’ my sufiyana phase started. Now let’s see, perhaps with ‘Guru’ there will be another turning point. It’s wonderful to work with a director who expresses scenes musically. (more…)