Nostalgia with Nostalgiaana !

Anupam Sinha | 1st Feb 2024

​There is something about creative artists that, they seem to spellbind the audiences in whatever they do. Anupam Sinha was no different. A comic book artist and writer, with sections of media crediting him for revolutionizing Indian comics with his work at Raj Comics. He is credited as the creator of the superhero - "Super Commando Dhruva"

The songs he presented, he said, had great memories for him and evoked a sense of nostalgia in him whenever he heard them, though there were no particular incidents that he connected to these songs. Something he mentioned, clearly stuck a chord with most listeners since they had experienced the same situation when growing up. Anupam mentioned about how in his childhood, there was no radio in their house, and he would hear songs wafting through the neighbor's radio. What's difficult to access or acquire is cherished the most, he said while introducing the songs and no truer words have been spoken. He cherishes some of the songs that he had chosen to play tonight as they were accessed with great difficulty and these songs have got themselves imprinted in his mind forever. 

Eight of the Ten songs had lyrics referring to romance, love and beloved. Though Anupam did not mention it, these songs probably were heard during his youth and hence the affinity for them is understandable.

• "Tu Chanda Main Chaandni" from the film "Reshma Aur Shera" was the first offering of the night and it did cast a spell on the audiences from the word go. Anupam metaphorized this song to a - उड़ता कागज़ का टुकड़ा - which no one knows will float in which direction. The way the song evolves is similar. Myriad emotions, rhythm swings, melody changes make this a one of its kind of a song.
• The first song had the "Chandini" as this song too - "Tere Bina Aag Yeh Chandni" from the film "Awara". A classic which from the movie which anointed Shankar-Jaikishan as the Composing Giants who ruled the airwaves for the next 2 decades. Anupam mentioned about Binaca Geetmala and how his Wednesday evenings were invariably devoted to this (as it was for many of us here) 
• Anupam, when he one day heard the album "Uran Khatola" on the LP, was mesmerized and kept hearing them for a long time. One song he played tonight - "Kuhu Kuhu Bole Koyaliya" from the film "Suvarna Sundari", he mentioned gave him that joy of discovery that he felt when he first heard the Uran Khatola LP. A delectable soft crooning romantic song of Lata and Rafi who were arguably at their prime of singing in 1958.
• Three songs chosen from the same movie came as a surprise to all. Well, the context made it clear why Anupam had chosen to play them together back-to-back without interruption. The film was "Dekh Kabira Roya" The film had a very intriguing theme. Three artists - a singer, a writer and a painter fall in love with three women - again artistes and exactly the same category as them. The comic situation is created when the pairing is not a straight match of their artistic inclinations.  The artist then tries to become someone he isn't leading to hilarious situations. Anupam's contention, possibly, being even between artists there is no commonality of thoughts. 
  1. ​​"Meri Veena Tum Bin Roye" 
  2. "Ashqon Se Teri Humne" 
  3. "Tu Pyaar Kare Ya Thukraye" 
• Just when one was beginning to get thinking, will every song be of a "serious" nature, Anupam unleashed two frothier romantic gems, with faster rhythm and one that nobody, who has ever been in love, can turn away from 
  1. "Humdum Mere Khel Na Jaano" from the film "Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon"
     
  2. "Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho" from the film "Hanste Zakhm"
  The former a destress song for Anupam as he called it, and this never fails to bring a smile on his face no matter what the situation. It does the same to us too. Not for nothing is O P Nayyar the Rhythm King. He can get your feet taping, heart beating faster and the adrenaline pumping harder. The latter was showcased for the arrangers which Anupam kindly credited Nostalgiaana to bringing to the fore. One of his personal favorites and a song that can never die, will keep the romantics intrigued eternally.

• In between all this, Anupam slipped in two sombre, yet profound songs 
  1. "Dekhi Zamaane Ki Yaari...Bichde Sabhi Baari Baari" from the film "Kaagaz Ke Phool" 
     
  2. "Hum Gaganwa Na Jaibe" + "Sakal Ban Gagan Pavan Chalat" + "Vikal Mora Manwa Un Bin Haye" from the film "Mamta"
  The latter a combination of three parts of the song which on screen shows the journey of the main protagonist from her childhood to adulthood. The former, of course, is a cult classic which Anupam said stuns him into silence each time. The fickleness of the friendship and of the world in general is so aptly presented by Kaifi Azmi.

Anupam was engrossing and his song selection were special. My only peeve - would have loved to hear him speak more. The artist in him remained hidden and maybe he chose to keep it that way!!