When you run into a 24-year-old and are hazarding a guess of the kind of music he would be listening to, chances are you wouldn't be thinking of the Hindi Retro Film music of the 50s and before. My introduction to Kartikeya started off on this note. About a year ago he got in touch with over social media and whilst we exchanged notes, he came across as someone who was besotted by the 1950s of HFM. So much so that we even conducted a few shows exclusively of the 50s decade for an audience of his choice. We didn't find this choice of decade unusual .......... well until we found out his age!!!

Kartikeya started his PMP by stating that he likes to listen to all genres of music, but his favourite remains the songs in HFM which are based on classical music of the golden era. He weaved his 10 songs with a compelling narrative of a love story as it unfolds with each song sequentially

1. Starting off with a raag Hameer based composition he presented the song "Lachhmi Moorat Daras Dikhaye" from the film "Street Singer". Kannan Devi's crisp rendering of this Bhakti geet from the 1938 film was just the start one needed to jump into the Kartikeya mood of the retro HFM.
2. After starting off with a devotional song, Kartikeya now opened his love story to the audience. The kick start of a love relationship is attraction, and he starts from this premise with the song "Do Maina Matware" from the film "My Sister (Meri Bahen)". This Raag Kalyan based song of K L Saigal song is an ode to the "Matware" nain (eyes) of the woman which seems to draw the attention of the lover to them.
3. With the man setting his eyes on his lady love, it's reciprocation time and the next song "Hue Unse Naina Chaar" from the film "Bekasoor" describes the feelings of the woman as she also feels her heart slipping away .... आशाओं में हलचल है, अरमानो में तूफ़ान, दिल कर बैठा है प्यार, अब में क्या करूँ .... convey the mood of the woman nicely 
4. Any couple in love would know that "roothna - manana" is part of this wonderful journey and invariably must come in every love story. Kartikeya's story is no different. Hansdhwani based composition "Jaa Tose Nahin Bolun" from the film "Parivar" comes up next as the story now moves to the stage where both have acknowledged their respective loves and this "nonk-jhonk" must appear as part of the story's continuity. This song on screen is seen as Krishna trying to cajole and convince Radha to give up her anger
5. As the love story continues, Karikeya now moves to the humour part of the relationship with the song "Lapak Jhapak Tu Aare" from the film "Boot Polish" based on Raag Darbari. Only Shankar-Jaikishan could have pulled off a comical song based on such a serious raag where David on screen is seen invoking the rains to soothe his bald head and help grow back the hair.
6. Dedication is the next stage of the love story once it is clear between the two lovers that they are made for each other, and it seems natural for them to spend their lives together. "Man Mera Udta Jaye Ba" from the film "Maa Beta" was next on the list, A song adapted from Rabindra Sangeet this delectable composition of Hemant Kumar is soothing to the ears. These lines convey the sentiments beautifully the feelings of someone in love ........ आज न रोको प्यार के इस दीवाने को | हातों से दिल जाता है तो जाने दो | तोड़ चला ये बंधन सारे , जहाँ साजन का प्यार पुकारे | पागल मन है कब यह किसी की माने रे 
7. Envy does creep into the love relationship and Kartikeya takes his love story forward where this feeling is depicted through the classical touch comical song "Aao Aao Sanwariya" from the film "Padosan". An outrageously filmed song, it always brings a smile to our faces watching or even just hearing it 
8. Anxiety about the future of the relationship is inevitable and Kartikeya move to this sentiment with the next song "Ritu Aaye Ritu Jaye" from the film "Hamdard". Based on Raag Sarang and Malhar. Not a conventional Separated-in-love song, this song talks about various Ritus (Seasons) with consequent changes in the mood of the song (based on the season) conveying the moot point that seasons come and go, but the sight of the beloved is still deprived. 
9. "Tinak Tin Tani" from the film "Sargam" seems a misfit in the context of this presentation at first listening, but a more careful listening brings out the nuances that Kartikeya wishes to showcase. Overcoming obstacles as part of the love journey is common and if love is intense and sincere the lovers can overcome situational difficulties to accomplish their goal 
10. Finally love triumphs, if stayed the course by those in love. The finale - "Man Ki Been Matwari" from the film "Shabab" which is based on the Raag Basant + Bahar was Kartikeya's sign off song. All well that ends well, goes the adage and sure enough we close this presentation with a happy ending

I am stunned by the precision of Kartikeya's delivery, conciseness of content, a taut narrative and a choice of songs that left us spellbound. At the end there's only one thing I can say ... Take a bow Kartikeya! 

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.