Naino Mein Badara Chhaye ...

Mera Saya (1966), a story of Sunil Dutt and Sadhana in double role, was a thriller directed by Raj Khosala. It was a remake of Marathi film Pathlag. Raj Khosala brought back the hit composer from his previous film, Woh Kaun Thi, for Mera Saya too. And Madan Mohan did not disappoint him. He composed three immensely popular songs of 1966 for Mera Saya. The haunting title song "Tu jahan jahan chalega...", one of Asha's greates hits "Jhoomka gira re..." and "Naino mein badara chhaye".

Naino mein badara chhaye starts with a great Sitar piece played by Madan Mohan himself.  Lata has sung this song with her usual mastery but this becomes one of the great song by the music interludes withing verses and Lata's aalaap. Lyrics also complements this great composition. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan wrote this song with suggestions of surprises in the movie. While watching this song Raj Khosala's direction highlights unease of Sunil Dutt and then transition to the flashback with blurring of screen. The location choice is also unique to have a temple on the hill on the banks of lake. Sunil Dutt and Sadhana  express their emotions fluently to make this song even better to watch.







Enjoy ! 

Miyan ki malhaar ...

We are once again in the territory of Rohail Hyatt - Coke studio. In the sixth season of the coke studio Pakistan, Rohail tried something different. He put forward an ensemble of artists in this song with four singers, a house band, two musicians from Nepal and two guitar players. He transformed this Hindustani Classical song in to a rock performance. The first song of this blog was "Bole re Papihara" from "Guddi" . This song was composed in raag "Miyan ki Malhar". Thus this is very close to me.  

Song starts with a simpler rendition by Ayesh Omar. She says she learned this from her master when she was young so it is simple. The beats catch on with the chorus. We have a break of pace with flute solo and then Fariha Parvez joins in with Umand Ghumand . This raag has a big story behind it. They say Miyan Taansen in the court of Akbar sang this raag and rain came down. Thus it got it's name which had a word Malhar in it which means rain or Monsoon. The dholak behind is played by Babar Ali Khanna. He starts here and continues with the rock. Which is performed by two guitar solos and alapi by Rustam Fateh Ali Khan. The song ends on such a high note that you fell the rain is actually falling !