चलो Picnic अतुल के संग

Atul Mishra | 13th Apr 2024

All of us have been on picnics at different stages of our lives. The school picnics were fun and joyous . The college picnics set the context for teenage romances and the office picnics were for socializing and chilling out. Picnics in HFM are no different. They are of all kinds, and this is what Atul Mishra, Kanpur walley chose as his theme along with the ubiquitous thermos flask, Chattai (Mat) and the Guitar on display as he presented his songs. 

Here are the songs presented. 

• An appropriate start with the song "Sa Re ke Sa Re Ga Ma ko Lekar gaate chale" from the film "Parichay". Gulzar's play with words is on displays where he uses the notes of the Sargam to create a song with multiple interpretations. As flicker of romance (on screen) builds between Jeetendra and Jaya Bhaduri, R D Burman unleashes the child in him. Impossible to not let the child in you awaken as you hear this song. 
•  "Hawa Chale Kaise" from the film "Daag" featured next, which Atul mentioned as a "Nirguni" Bhajan presented in the form of a Picnic song. In some ways, Sahir acknowledges, through these lyrics, that some things in life are unexplainable and it best to let them remain so. A magnificent score from L-Ps only collaboration with the Chopra's 
• Trust Shailendra to write song for a comic situation filled with optimism with eccentric Kishore Kumar all suited up delivering it with aplomb. The song "Rang Yeh Duniya Badalti Hai" from the film "Naughty Boy" was Atul's next choice and Boy, did it set the hearts soaring in joyous with the words. 

                                           दिल का साज़ जब छिड़ जाए धड़कन गाने गये 
                                           फिर एक शाम की पहचान अफसाना बन जाए 
                                           जीवन वो धरा है जो बांध के रह ना पाए 

• Picnics songs don't always come in the happy flavor . There are other shades too in the HFM context as the next song "Jab Chali Thandi Hawa" from the film "Do Badan" showcased. The eyes of a woman in love searching for her beloved in the crowd of people is something all of us who have been in love would empathize with. How the mood would be uplifting if suddenly out of nowhere the beloved appears 

                                    ज़िंदगी की दास्तां, चाहे कितनी हो हंसीं
                                    बिन तुम्हारे कुछ नहीं,  बिन तुम्हारे कुछ नहीं
                                    क्या मज़ा आता सनम,  आज भूलेसे कहीं
                                    तुम भी आजाते यहीं, तुम भी आजाते यहीं​

• When a bunch of friends head out to have fun, they set on fire the place, mood. The song "Hum Hain To Chaand Aur Taare" from the film "Main Nashe Mein Hoon" was just that. This one was of course a surprise as a picnic showcase. Nice of Atul to pick this up.
• Didn't most of us have a crush on one of our teachers, especially on a picnic. The song "Teetar Ke Do Aage Teetar" from the film "Mera Naam Joker" is a reminder to us all of those days. Another picnic song so endearingly composed by SJ and sung by Asha Bhosle. The finish is truly magnificent as the chorus (for the kids on screen) runs along with Asha's solo voice as it fades into the distance as the train moves out of sight. WOW!!
• No picnic can be complete without food and how does one make up for its absence. The song "Suraj Zara Paas Aa" Film from the film "Ujala" is a sombre reminder of the fact that some picnics can be without food and still be fun. Shailendra's piercing lyrics hits one deep. 

                                    चूल्हा है ठंडा पड़ा और पेट में आग है 
                                    गरमा गरम रोटियां कितना  हसीन ख्वाब है 

• A regional song was next on the list and Atul presented the song "Vaanengum Thanga" from the film "Moondram Pirai". The movie which was made later in Hindi as Sadma features this nearly forgotten song. Raja unleashes his magic on our senses with the Guitar riff at the start and S.Janaki's sonorous voice coupled with the chorus and SPB's vocal make this a song for all seasons. 
• Picnics are meant to bloom romances when in college no doubt, but what if there is a counselling session between two lovers where one is talking of love in glory and the other is conservative and is bogged down by the troubles of life. Sahir's in the song "Din Hain Bahaar Ke" from the film "Waqt" does exactly this and lo behold, this is a picnic song too. 
• Atul's icing on the cake was the song "Yeh Sham Mastani" from the film "Kati Patang". A contrast to the earlier song such that the hero is keen to romance but the heroine for societal reasons is hesitant. An eternal favorite of many, Atul signed off with this glorious melody of the 70s which saw the Quartert of RDB + Kishore + Anand Bakshi + Rajesh Khanna at their respective peaks. 

A lovely set of songs of Atul on the picnic theme. While the theme itself is common the selection of songs conveying varied moods within the picnic format is what set this presentation apart. Thank you Atul for the walk thru the park. I certainly reminiscenced about my picnic days fondly.