Lata Mangeshkar - the soul of India

As a kid I strongly believed that If God had to speak she’d sound just like Lata Mangeshkar.

In the Western coastal belt - Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka - most of my generation grew up listening to bhajans of Bhimsen Joshi and Lata Mangeshkar.  The great Bhimsen Joshi renowned for classical music was at stratospheric levels that seemed beyond reach. Even singing his Bhajans was impossible.  Lata Mangeshkar on the other hand seemed part of everyone’s family and a voice that soothed everyone.

Musical Great - Vanraj Bhatia

Vanraj Bhatia is one of the most prolific music director of the Indian film & advertising industry and chances, are very few know or have heard of him.

But in terms of music he, IMHO would be there among the top, and I loved his music and found it superlative and on par with the best in the world.

Bhajans – devotional music

Singing Bhajans – devotional songs, have been an integral part of my family.  It was a ritual, a daily practice even, when we were kids.  In my community (the GSB – Gowd Saraswat Brahmans) this used to be a common practice in my father’s generations.  In the evening when the lamps were lit, there would be a short session of Bhajans.

For me, it started off as an unwanted discipline and chore that I couldn’t avoid, to now something I genuinely enjoy and is one of my favourite things to do.

Ilayaraja - The quintessential God to my generation

As I write this, I cant help examine the paradox, herés me -  a non-expert in Music, who cant speak in any of the south Indian languages - writing about one of the legends from the south Indian movie industry. 



So there's my disclaimer. But then, I think Ilayaraja's achievements was simply that. I cant think of anyone down south in my generation who has not been moved by his music. 

Krishna by Colonial Cousins

This song is one of the ever green and outstanding compositions that will stand the test of time. Colonial Cousins was a collaboration between Lez a musical wizard mostly making ad jingles, and Hariharan a ghazal singer. 

However when they came together I think they got the combination absolutely bang on and produced some outstanding stuff.

Apsara Aali Laavani from Natarang

Again, no connoisseur of great music - but in my limited view, I think this song's possibly one of the most perfect songs I have seen in a really long time in my lifetime.

Indian films celebrate music, romanticisim by creating the fantasy sequences (started by Raj Kapoor) - as well as the surrealistic scene where the actors begin singing and dancing, and there's great music that magically appears as an accompaniment.

Breathless by Shankar Mahadevan

To me breathless by Shankar Mahadevan is the one album I know in which each song is crafted to an outstanding standards and the output is therefore songs which can be on my playlist forever.

As usual I have never been much into music, and would never know of the latest songs or hit songs, only finding out through acquaintances or through mass media.  I might have read about it and found it gimmicky (according to news reports, in one of the songs Shankar sings straight for around 4 minutes without pausing for breath – hence the name of the album. He denied it during his interviews saying it was pre-recorded and mixed)

Main Radha tu mera shaam from Vishwaroop

Some songs from Indian films are simply outstanding.

And since I love dancing and theatre, those with an element of dance are also my favourites. 

Whats better is when the entire things comes together beautifully on screen.  This one almost does...

ABBA – the the group (and Mamma Mia, the movie!)

Another one of those admissions which might attract scorn and get even a bigger lot of folks looking down upon me and mah tastes!!

I loved ABBA – one of my first loves, and rediscovered their wonderful talents and body of work through this absolute delight of a movie : Mamma Mia!

A R Rahman - the inspiration

One of the few pleasures in life is getting to listen to a new song that really provides you with the variety you are seeking (usually when you are tired of listening to the old songs).

I am listening to the songs of the film Highway and after a long time A R Rahman’s songs have that instant connection which make it a favourite on your playlist.

Krishnaa - the musical by Sobhana

Can you collapse the infinite into two hours?  Well actor-danseuse Sobhana tries hard to do just that in her musical Krishnaa.

                              

The result is this hi-octane, mostly chaotic ensemble performance that seems to move at the speed of light; and even before you absorb a scene, a dialogue or enjoy the thrill of a dance, its already over and the stage has shifted to the next story on Lord Krishna.

Err… why is this then making to my favourites?   Well, let me first complete the reality bites part about the show.