Mausam Hai Nostalgiaana

Balaji Vittal | 04 Jan 2024

We were obviously delighted when Balaji consented to make the first PMP (for non-members) . He comes with a great reputation as an Author & Columnist and besides is a good friend and supporter of Team Nostalgiaana.

When the presentation date happens to be 4th Jan, and the presenter is someone who has co-authored a book on R D Burman, what can one expect?  A full show on R D Burman, right?  Wrong!!!

Balaji slipped in a googly on the attendees when they were expecting a full toss !!

He chose to showcase RD Burman only with his finale song and credit to him to touch upon 10 different composers for each of his song, straddling several decades and genres of songs. Five songs were of composers who dominated the airwaves in the 50s and 60s 

• Naushad - "Husn-e-jaana Idhar Aa" from the film  "Saathi" which Balaji highlighted for the role of the arranger and how he transforms the style and flavour of composers. In this case Kersi Lord bedecked a Naushad composition with his arrangement 
• O P Nayyar - "Ek Tu Hai Piya Jispe Dil Aa Gaya" from the film – "Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye" . Balaji opined that   O P Nayyar lost out in the 70s as his rhythm was unidimensional and he was low on innovation quotient. I don't entirely agree with this. The fact is every artiste has his/ her golden period and then a slide is inevitable. Happened to O P Nayyar too. 
• Shankar-Jaikishan - "Aaj Na Jaane Paagal Manwa" from the film "Begunaah" . Kishore with his "hichkis" interspersed into singing made this very difficult song a walk in the park. Only somebody as supremely talented and God gifted as Kishore Kumar could have pulled this off with aplomb.
• S D Burman - "Dene Wala Jab Bhi Deta" from the film "Funtoosh". If the earlier one was "Hichkis" this one was gibberish in what sounds like Russian. A virtual vocal histrionics is what Kishore indulges in and convert this song into a laugh riot. 
• Madan Mohan - "Charagh Dil Ka Jalao" from the film "Chirag". This is apparently Balaji's top favourite of the Rafi + Madan combination and I concur too. 

Balaji also touched upon a few composers who ruled the roost in the 70s including his favourite - R D Burman 

• Laxmikant-Pyarelal - "Dil ki baatein Dil Hi Jaane" from the film "Roop Tera Mastana". Balaji touched upon the enduring friendship of LP and Pancham and mentioned that due to the orchestration this song had a Pancham-ish feel to it. He also turned emotional talking about how LP paid tribute to Pancham in their first live show after Pancham's death by choosing to play a song on his on stage
• Kalyanji-Anandji - "Aap Ka Sarkar Kya Kuchh" from the film "Hera Pheri" . KA according to Balaji were expert at sound mixing and this song was a great example of this. 
• R D Burman - "Ye Mastani Dagar" from the film "Hifaazat" . Balaji ended the show with his favourite composer ,on whom he co-authored a book too. A frothy, lively number from the early 70s , a time when RD could do no wrong 

The two other composers whom he also touched were

• Sajjad Hussain with the song "Aye Dilruba Nazrein Mila"  from the film "Rustom Sohrab" . A composer with mercurial temparament who spared none in the industry and paid a heavy price for his intemperate conduct. A beauty by Lata during the times when Sajjad was done with his professional work. As they say quality lasts forever and this one surely does. 
• Babla - "Kabhi Hoti Nahin Hai" from the film "Khara Khota". Babla the brother of KA was in showcase as Balaji  highlighted how many unknown actors (today) benefitted by the playback voice of Kishore Kumar. So, while the actors slipped into oblivion, the song continues to enthrall audiences even today. 

Thank you , Balaji for the engaging and entralling presentation.