When I first decided to scribble something in cyberspace I ran the idea by my very cheeky nephew. He asked me what I was aiming at. Read on:
"Well", (that's me), "something on Hindi film music."
The twinkle in his eyes raised his brows to the ceiling: "Why don't you write about something you know something about!!!" (that's him).
I could have smacked the fellow but the thought remained hanging in midair. Just because I could remember some song लताबाई sang in some film and the name of the संगीतकार, does not make me a ज्ञानी.
Believe it or not, over the years that I have listened to film music I have been convinced that there is much more to it than the "vacuity" it has been stigmatized with. There is depth and there is an evocation of life....and the streets of Bombay of yesteryear that I roamed and grew up on, the people I have met, the first gramophone record I saw whirling on dad's HMV and everything else that has gone hand-in-hand with all that.
I know that there are people out there who know more than I do.....So, all of you, get aboard my bandwagon.
Jani O Jani,
ReplyDeleteI suppose it is a mathematical truism that there must be someone there who knows more than oneself. But that does not diminish the treasure that you embody. So we are all ears, and look forward to the tales that regale.
A small 'taufa' by way of a url that opens with the page on Latabai:
http://www.hindigeetmala.com/singer/lata_mangeshkar.php
but has many more artist-gems.
Happy retirement and sangeet-dhoom!
-Bhadrayu
Thanks, Bhadrayu. What a nice email to awaken to! Now that I do not have to fear getting up every morning to plod to the station, I will still be up at the refreshing hour of 5, nagging my wife for my tea and muffins! What delight.
ReplyDeleteThanks for appreciating my blog, I hope to replenish it every so often: have to thank my Milan and his brazenness for setting me on the trail. Help me on with your remarks. Best to the boss. Let's talk over the phone..