New Delhi, (IANS) The girl next door of “Guddi” turns 60 Wednesday. At the milestone, Jaya Bachchan maintains her firm hold on family, politics and the affection of numerous fans.

Juggling many roles and responsibilities, Jaya has taken a break from her work and flown to Miami to be with her son Abhishek on her birthday, which will be a quiet affair restricted to her immediate family.

Amitabh Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai have also gone with her to Miami where Abhishek is shooting for Karan Johar’s “Dostana”.

The actress, who went through many difficult phases in life, says that real happiness comes from “positive thinking and one should be always positive in life”.

Firm and forthright Jaya is more active in politics as a Samajwadi Party MP, than films. Recently, she criticised Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati for attacking her husband.

Although she has not acted in as many films as the Big B, she leaves an indelible mark whenever she appears on screen. “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”, “Kal Ho Naa Ho” and “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag” are some recent examples of her acting acumen.

Jaya was born to Indira and Taroon Coomar Bhaduri who was a writer, journalist and stage artiste. After completing her schooling from St. Joseph’s Convent in Bhopal, she got an opportunity to play a small role in Satyajit Ray’s Bengali film “Mahanagar” at the young age of 15.

She later joined the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. She made a remarkable Bollywood debut in 1971 with “Guddi” after which there was no looking back for this talented actress. She starred in hit after hit - “Koshish”, “Parichay”, “Bawarchi”, “Abhimaan”, “Mili” and “Chupke Chupke”, to name a few.

In 1973, Jaya married her co-star Amitabh Bachchan with whom she paired up in films like “Zanzeer”, “Abhimaan” and “Sholay”. After marriage she took an 18-year break from acting to concentrate on her family.

Jaya has received seven Filmfare awards besides the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award.

While staying away from the silver screen, she produced the popular television serial “Dekh Bhai Dekh”.

Jaya made a grand comeback to movies in the critically acclaimed “Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa” in 1998. In 2000, she played mother to Karisma Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan in “Fiza” and received the Filmfare award for best supporting actress.

Her fans will see her next in journalist-poet-author Jayabrato Chatterjee’s “Love Songs - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow”.

“It is a nice film, watch it,” she said.

The film was premiered at Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image’s International Film Festival in March.

Mumbai, (IANS) She is known for her comic timing, but Juhi Chawla says her “Krazzy 4″ stars beat her to it with their superb sense of humour, so much so that she had to beg them to stop making her laugh.

She teams up with Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan, Rajpal Yadav and Suresh Menon in the movie directed by Jaideep Sen and produced by Rakesh Roshan.

“It was a complete blast! They made me laugh so much that my mascara used to come running down sometimes! I had to beg them not to make me laugh and let me do my scenes. All four are quite special in their own way and we were quite a good team,” said Juhi in an e-mail interview.

After “Deewana Mastana”, Juhi wears the hat of a psychiatrist once again for the film and the four actors play her patients.

“I am the only responsible person in this crazy film. I play a psychiatrist and these four are my patients. I decide to take all four to a trip into the city and I somehow fall into a trap and, to everyone’s surprise, it is these so called mad people who actually have the sense to help me out.”

“It is a very sweet satire which also teaches us a lesson while having fun. I have a small but pivotal role…in a sense, the film revolves around me.”

The former Miss India entered Bollywood with “Sultanat”, but her first big hit was “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak”, in which she was paired opposite Aamir Khan. She later went on to give hits like “Darr”, “Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke”, “Yes Boss” and “Ishq”.

Over the last few years, the actress has become selective and prefers to work in offbeat films like “Jhankaar Beats”, “My Brother Nikhil” and “Ek Pal”.

Asked why she picked this role in “Krazzy 4″, Juhi said: “I have always wanted to work with Rakeshji and also I know the director Jaideep Sen since he was assisting. He is very capable and I knew I would be in good hands. Also, I relished the opportunity of working with my four co-stars.

“FilmKraft is a very efficient, quality production house and you can always guarantee your film will be of the best quality in Rakeshji’s hands.”

Do you miss working in comedy films?

“I had my share of lead roles and fun and I did everything I ever wanted to do. I don’t miss much and I am always looking out for quality roles, whether big or small, not necessarily comedy or romantic.

And when she is not shooting for films, she keeps busy learning music.

“I have started to learn music, so my free time goes in doing riyaaz. Apart from that, my children, family and social events take up all my free time, so I’m happily busy even when not working.”

Juhi will also be seen in the Amitabh Bachchan starrer “Bhootnath” and Aziz Mirza’s “Kismet Konnection”.

Mumbai, (IANS) Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, who sang “Mere paas aao” in the 1979 hit “Mr Natwarlal” for children, feels it is time he reconnected with his young fans.

After doing two adult romances “Nishabd” and “Cheeni Kum”, Amitabh is all set to woo his little fans in a big way with “Bhootnath” and “Alladdin”.

In “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom” where his Jack Sparrow get-up was inspired by Johnny Depp’s act in “Pirates Of The Caribbean”, the kids loved Amitabh.

“I’m delighted to hear that,” said the Big B. “What you call the Jack Sparrow get-up in ‘Jhoom…’ just happened. I made no special efforts.

“The beard was my own. And that hat just happened at the last minute before the shooting. When I was going to face the camera, I saw the hat lying around and asked my director Shaad Ali if I can wear it for my song. That’s it. But I’m glad kids liked the look. I’m, in fact, doing two films this year that are specially aimed at younger audiences,” Amitabh told IANS.

In Vivek Sharma’s “Bhootnath”, the Big B will play a friendly ghost and in Sujoy Ghosh’s “Alladdin”, he’s the genie.

“Both the ghost and genie roles require me to tap the child within me who, let me tell you, is never very far from the surface in my personality. A lot of my interaction in ‘Bhootnath’ is with a child.

“I’ve had a child as my co-star years ago in ‘Do Anjaane’ and more recently in ‘Black’ and ‘Ek Ajnabee’, but these were films for a grownup audience. ‘Bhootnath’ and ‘Alladdin’ are my gifts to my young audiences.”

Also coming up is Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s take on “Lord Of The Rings” to be directed by ad-man Ram Madhvani featuring the Big B in an FX-suffused avatar.

Mumbai, (IANS) Current Bollywood flavour Priyanka Chopra is all set to attend the music release function of “Love Story 2050″, actor Harman Baweja’s debut film, and has already set aside time for it.

Though Priyanka will be shooting in Miami for Tarun Mansukhani’s “Dostana”, she is taking time off from the tight schedule to pay a flying visit to Mumbai May 10 for the music release.

Seldom, if ever, has a co-star gone so much out of her way for any project.

The shooting is almost done. The last two days when Harman’s snazzy introduction was shot has just been completed. And Harman’s long-awaited debut film will be released July 4.

“We’ve all worked very hard on this film. The shooting is complete. Now begins the real struggle. The FX are comparable with anything from Hollywood, as we could see from the theatrical trailers that were released with ‘Race’,” Harry Baweja, who is producing the film, told IANS.

Earlier this month, Priyanka joined the crew in Miami a day late because she wanted to be in Mumbai when the theatrical trailer of “Love Story 2050″ was released.

Priyanka has also set aside a major chunk of dates for the film’s promotion in June.

Says Priyanka, “What’s the big deal? ‘Love Story 2050′ is as much my film as Harman’s. I’d have done just as much for any of my films. About returning for the music release, it is being worked out with Karan Johar.”

The schedule in Miami goes on till May 20. But Priyanka hopes to wrap up her work in time for the music release.

The Bawejas have quietly acknowledged her huge hand in seeing Harman’s launch acquire epic proportions.

A whole elaborate song sequence in the air with Priyanka flying on a jet singing and dancing across Mumbai’s shimmering skyline has been choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant.

“This,” says an inside source, “was the least the Bawejas could do for Priyanka after all she has done for them. Harman has a couple of super-elaborate songs and dances. They felt the need for Priyanka to also make her presence felt.”

Harry said: “The song we’ve done with Priyanka has her flying on top of futuristic Mumbai. It’s something never seen before.”

Gurgaon, (IANS) The Gurgaon district administration will Wednesday decide on an application of actress Soha Ali Khan seeking a personal hearing in a gun licensing case.

The district authorities sent her a notice seeking explanation about how the weapon for which she was licensed was used by her father to kill a black buck in Haryana in 2005.

Soha Ali Khan sent a letter to the district administration Monday, seeking a personal hearing, Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Gupta said.

She was issued the notice March 21 to explain how she obtained an arms licence despite being underage. The authorities also marked a probe into her original application file, which has gone missing from official records here.

Rakesh Gupta said the notice to Soha Ali, the actress-daughter of former cricketer Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and actress Sharmila Tagore, has given her 15 days to send her reply.

District Magistrate Gupta also directed Additional Deputy Commissioner Abhay Singh Yadav to probe how she obtained the licence despite being underage and also how her original application file went “missing” from the official records here.

Soha Ali has been charged with obtaining an arms licence for her .22 bore rifle Nov 5, 1996 when she had not completed 21 years of age - a legal pre-requisite for possessing an arms licence.

The passport record of the actress put her year of birth at 1978 and in 1996 she was just 18 years old.

The weapon for which she was issued licence was used by her father Pataudi in a black buck poaching case in which he was arrested July 2005 by the Haryana police in Jhajjar district near here. The poaching case was registered June 5, 2005 and the weapon is still in possession of the Jhajjar police.

The poaching case is being tried in a wildlife and environment court in Faridabad town in Haryana.

Soha Ali was also asked to explain why, while moving a fresh application for renewal of her licence Sept 7, 2005 before the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Gurgaon, she concealed the fact that the weapon was in the possession of the Jhajjar police.

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By Bollywood Hungama News Network

Saif Ali Khan showed off his hitherto less known rock-star side to

thousands of screaming Mumbaikars, as he performed along with rock

band Parikrama at the Seagram’s Royal Stag Mega Music concert in

Andheri last evening (Jan 20).

The actor sporting a dark blue dotted bandana with a black tee and

jeans looked at ease as he strummed the guitar to popular rock

numbers like ‘Smoke on the Water’ by Deep Purple, AC/DC’s ‘Highway

to Hell’ and Pink Floyd’s ‘Run like Hell’.

The actor also showed that he can definitely sing much more than a

line or two as he crooned Chuck Berry’s ‘Johnny B Goode’ and even

dedicated the song to his daughter who was in the audience.

The concert also featured Pakistani band, Strings, who rendered some

of their popular hits like ‘Aakhri Alvida’ from Shootout At

Lokhandwala.

However, those wanting to see Saif’s lady love, Kareena Kapoor, at the

concert were disappointed as she was busy shooting out of the country.

Nevertheless, her name was seen tattooed prominently on Saif’s

forearm. So, what if Kareena couldn’t be Saif’s arm candy for his

special night, she sure ended up being his fore-arm candy.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network

Himesh Reshammiya’s second outing KARZZZ continues to make

news-n-noise, even though director Satish Kaushik and producers

Bhushan Kumar and Kishen Kumar have yet to embark on a major

shooting schedule of the reincarnation film in South Africa and Kenya.

While a lot has been said, spoken and written about the remake of

Ghai’s KARZ, here’s something you didn’t know.

The makers of KARZZZ have decided to retain the signature tune of

the film, which plays in the background the moment the protagonist

remembers his punar janam. “It’s a haunting tune and all of us decided

that we should use it in the remake as well,” Satish Kaushik tells me.

While Himesh has already recorded fresh songs for the remake, there’s

one song that they’ve decided to retain from the original — ‘Ik Haseena

Thi, Ik Deewana Tha’ — which comes at the climax of the film.

While on KARZZZ, Himesh is participating in acting workshops to get

the character right. After all, not just the film or its music, even

Himesh’s performance will be viewed with a magnifying glass and

compared to the power-packed performance that Rishi Kapoor pitched

in, in the original.

By Joginder Tuteja Bollywood Hungama News Network

In a unique experiment which is certainly one of it’s kind, two top

actors would be dancing to the tunes of the same song, though

presented in different versions. The film in question is Krazzy 4 and

the men who would be shaking their legs are Shah Rukh Khan and

Hrithik Roshan.

Confirms Vishal Dadlani (of Vishal-Shekhar fame), who is fast

becoming one of the preferred singers in Bollywood, “The track has

been composed in two versions with one each reserved for Shah Rukh

and Hrithik. I have sung both the versions.”

While one version of the song would be appearing within the film,

another would appear as a part of end credits roll. Adds Vishal, “The

song is a mix of hip-hop and rock and should do really well with the

younger generation.”

Talking about how the song fell in his lap, Vishal reveals, “I am a big

fan of Rajesh Roshan brand of music. How can one ever forget that he

is the man behind ‘Dil Kya Kare Jab Kisi Se Kisi Ko Pyaar Ho Jaaye’

from Julie? The song stays on to be one of my all time favorites. This

is why when Rakesh Roshan gave me a call and said that he wanted me

to sing for a Rajesh Roshan composition, I was game for it.”

For Shah Rukh Khan, this would be his yet another item song special

appearance in recent times after ‘Mast Kalandar’ (Heyy Babyy) and

‘Kaal Dhamaal’ (Kaal). He also had a few ‘blink and you would miss’

shots reserved for him in Arjun Rampal’s I See You where he held the

guitar for the song ‘Subah Subah’. On the other hand, for Hrithik, this

would be his first ever experience as an item boy, though just like Shah

Rukh Khan, he too had made a fleeting appearance in ‘Subah Subah’.

Directed by debutant, Jaideep Sen, Krazzy 4 is a comedy which

revolves around four crazy men Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan, Rajpal

Yadav and Suresh Menon. Juhi Chawla is the doctor in charge for

treating them all. Apart from Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan in

guest appearances, the film also stars Dia Mirza, Rajat Kapoor, Zakir

Hussain, Sunil Pal, Makrand Deshpande and Mukesh Rishi.

Incidentally, Rakhi Sawant also makes a special appearance in the

movie for an item song.

Item boys in recent times:

- Sanjay Dutt in to be released thriller Woodstock Villa which marks

the debut of Sikandar Kher. Sanjay Dutt recently shot for this music

video by the band ‘Aryan’.

- Tusshar Kapoor in Rohit Shetty directed Sunday. He dances to

Raghav Sachar’s tune of ‘Manzar’.

- Abhishek Bachchan in Ram Gopal Varma directed Ram Gopal Varma

Ki Aag. He had accompanied his dad in Ganesh Hegde’s ‘Mehbooba

Mehbooba’.

- Amitabh Bachchan in Shaad Ali’s Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Coupled

with his role as a ’sutradhar’, he made stars half his age pale in

comparison as he joined the item boys’ gang.

Parugu songs Mp3 link

New Delhi, Jan 25 (IANS) Gifted with one of the most versatile voices in the industry, Asha Bhonsle has sung every genre of song, be it pop, club mixes, romantic numbers, bhajans and ghazals.

Now the singing legend is all set to receive India’s second highest civilian honour Padma Vibhushan Award for her contribution to the field of cinema.

From “Piya tu ab to aaja” to “Dum maro dum” and “Kambakht ishq”, singing diva Asha Bhosle has been enthralling listeners with her vivacious and versatile numbers for more than six decades and has bagged many awards - from National Award for best playback singer to Dada Saheb Phalke Award.

From Madhubala to Helen in the older films to newer actresses Urmila Matondkar and Kareena Kapoor, the divas are bound by a common thread - the evergreen voice of Asha Bhonsle.

Asha’s songs have made memorable many of the cabaret numbers by yesteryears’ diva Helen, including “O haseena julfon wali” and “Yeh mera dil pyaar ka deewana”.

Born into the musical family of Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar, Asha trained in music from her father. But it came to an abrupt end when he died. She was just nine years old then.

After his death, the family moved from Pune to Kolhapur and then to Mumbai. Asha and her elder sister, Lata Mangeshkar, started singing in films to support their family.

Asha sang her first film song “Chala chala nav bala” for the Marathi movie “Majha Bal” in 1943. Her first Hindi song was “Saawan aaya” for Hansraj Bahl’s “Chunariya” in 1948.

The year 1957 was the breakthrough year for Asha when O.P. Nayyar used her to sing the heroine’s songs in “Tumsa Nahin Dekha” and “Naya Daur”. The same year the legendary S.D. Burman had a rift with Lata Mangeshkar.

This came as a blessing in disguise for Asha, who soon became his favourite female singer. In the 1970s, Asha came closer to another legend of Indian music, R.D. Burman, who gave a new hip and happening sound to her singing. The songs “Piya tu ab to aajaa”, “Dum maro dum” and “Chura liya hai tumne” were a result of this combination.

But it was her immortal ghazals for Muzaffar Ali’s “Umrao Jaan” that fetched her huge accolades and a National Award. The songs “Dil cheez kya hai”, “In aankhon ki masti”, “Yeh kaisi jagah hai doston” not only proved her versatility but are still all-time favourites.

For her contribution to music in Indian cinema, Asha was conferred the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, the highest title in Indian cinema in 2000.

She is a source of inspiration for wannabe singers.

Her popularity is not confined to Indian shores! She has collaborated with artistes like Boy George and Stephen Lauscombe. In 2002, she teamed with Michael Stipe on the track “The Way You Dream” on the self-titled album by 1 Giant Leap.

In 1997, the British band Cornershop paid tribute to Asha with their song “Brimful of Asha”, an international hit which was later remixed by Fatboy Slim.

In 2001, the CD single of Nelly Furtado’s “I’m Like A Bird” included a “Nellie vs. Asha Remix” created by Digital Cutup Lounge.

In 2005, American string quartet Kronos Quartet re-recorded R.D. Burman compositions like “Chura liya”, “Piya tu”, “Mera kuchh saaman” among others and got Asha to sing them.

In 2003, British opera pop singer Sarah Brightman sampled her song “Dil cheez kya hai” on her album “Harem”. It was used as the intro for her song “You Take My Breath Away”.

By Arpana

New Delhi, Jan 28 (IANS) Popular Hindi film songs are never forgotten; they are recycled. Remixes have given a new life to many numbers and now film titles are inspired by them.

Creative borrowing is the name of the game in Bollywood. Stories and music compositions are often lifted from the West, but there are some filmmakers who are fascinated with popular Hindi songs and use them in their movie titles.

Aditya Chopra should take the cake for popularising the trend with his directorial debut “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” (DDLJ). The title of the puppy love story was taken from the popular song “Le jayenge, le jayenge, dilwale dulhania le jayenge” from the 1974 movie “Chor Machaye Shor”.

DDLJ was a phenomenal hit and it made Shah Rukh Khan a superstar. It has been running in Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir theatre for the last 12 years.

Some of the recent titles are a constant reminder of the old tunes, which caught the audience’s fancy and are still hummable. It also confirms filmmakers’ fascination for old songs.

For instance, Siddharth Anand’s release “Ta Ra Rum Pum Pum” last year is from the chartbuster “Uthe sab ke kadam, dekho rum pum, aji aise geet gaya karo… Kabhi khushi, kabhi gum, Ta ra rum pum pum, haso aur hasaya karo” from Basu Chatterjee’s “Baton Baton Mein”.

However, Anand’s film, produced under the Yash Raj Films banner, couldn’t replicate the success of that song.

The title of Karan Johar’s family drama “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” is also inspired by the same song.

Another Yash Raj Film title “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom”, which was Shaad Ali’s second directorial venture, was taken from the famous qawwali “Jhoom barabar jhoom sharabi” by Aziz Nazan.

Earlier, the same banner gave us “Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai” (2002), with the title based on the popular old song “Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai” from the Shatrughan Sinha-starrer “Aadmi Sadak Ka”. The song from the 1977 film is still played in marriages although the 2002 film starring Uday Chopra and Tulip Joshi has since been forgotten.

Rani Mukerji’s “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag”, a tale of a fallen woman, is again a Yash Raj production and its title is borrowed from the classic number, “Laga chunari mein daag chhupaaun kaise”, from the Nutan-Raj Kapoor starrer “Dil Hi To Hai”.

The title of Rani’s 2003 romantic hit “Chalte Chalte” was inspired by Kishore Kumar’s hit number “Chalte chalte mere ye geet yaad rakhna, kabhi alvida na kahena”. The song also inspired the title of Karan Johar’s damp squib about extra-marital affair: “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna”.

“khoya Khoya Chand”, the title of the latest from Sudhir Mishra, is taken from the melodious number “Khoya khoya chand, khula aasmaan” memorably picturised on Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman in “Kala Bazar”.

The title of E. Niwas’ comeback movie “My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves” is, of course, from the hit song from “Amar Akbar Anthony” starring Amitabh Bachchan.

The title of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s “Rang De Basanti” was taken from the popular patriotic song “Mera rang de basanti chola” from the movie “Shaheed” and Shriram Raghavan’s “Ek Hasina Thi” was picked up from Subhash Ghai’s super-duper hit “Karz” and it was the climax song of the movie.

Interestingly, Sai Paranjpe’s hit comedy “Chashme Buddoor” is titled after the song “Teri pyaari pyaari surat ko kisi ki nazar na lage, chashme baddoor” from the movie “Sasural”.

Some other film titles inspired by songs are “Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate”, “Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke”, “Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo” and “Saat Rang Ke Sapane”.

The trend is here to stay as the titles of some forthcoming movies like “Chal Chala Chal”, “Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na”, “De Taali”, “Allah Ke Bande” and “Hal-e-Dil” too are inspired by popular songs.
 

By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Feb 2 (IANS) Music maestro A.R. Rahman is ready to build a

music conservatory in Chennai for young talents who want to learn

Western classical music. He has already acquired land for it.

“It’s near the Chennai airport. And we plan to start work on it very

soon,” Rahman told IANS. He says starting a music conservatory is a

dream he has nurtured for years.

“I feel young talented musicians in our country, specially those who

want to learn Western classical music, have nowhere seriously creative

to go. We need to cultivate a taste for Western symphonic music so

that an average musically-inclined young musician would be as

enthused about learning the violin as the star,” said Rahman.

The land purchase puts Rahman’s dream plan into third gear.

“We’ll soon be working round-the-clock. I want it to be one of the best

music schools in our country.”

Speaking on his latest music soundtrack in Hindi, Rahman said: “I

wouldn’t even want to compare my output in ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ with what

Ashutosh Gowariker and I did in ‘Lagaan’ or ‘Swades’.

“Or, for that matter, what Rakeysh (Omprakash Mehra) and I did in

‘Rang De Basanti’ (RDB). We’ve done what we liked without thinking

of the outcome. You’ve to go by your instincts in every form of art.

I’ve never intentionally tried to break the mould. I’ve tried to do what’s

right.”

Two of his old scores are also ready for release.

“Two years back Abbas Tyrewallah’s ‘Jaane Tu Jaane Na’ and ‘Adaa’ by

Tanvir Ahmed were recorded. These will come in the next two

months.”

And, of course, there’s Subhash Ghai’s magnum opus “Yuvraj”. “It’s

got Western classical vibes, but the sound is very Indian, very mellow.”

He says his music in Ghai’s “Taal” helped him earn Punjabi fans.

“I think ‘Taal’ took me to the Hindi-belt masses. I ceased to be

different. Before that I was seen as this oddity from Chennai. Of

course, ‘Rangeela’ got its own glory. But ‘Taal’ is the one that created a

hardcore Punjabi audience for me.”

He also has Mehra’s “Dilli 6″ coming up. “It’s turned out very well.

Who can say how it will be accepted? Did anyone expect RDB to

become so big? Even a small idea can change the world.

“When I came into Hindi cinema with ‘Roja’, the whole road was

empty. A lot of people are still doing good work, but not consistently.

Good work can be done even on YouTube on the net. So let’s not

blame the lack of opportunities for the inconsistent musical output.

“Some of the stuff is undoubtedly good. You can’t just write

everything off. But I feel the whole idea of pop art has to change.

“Malayalam director Adoor Gopalakrishnan says TV has corrupted

popular tastes. I’d have to agree with that. I feel the film medium

deserves much better. Even I get pulled into projects which are not

right.”

Ask Rahman whom he considers a path-breaker after himself and he

quips: “Why do we need a path-breaker? One never intends to be a

path-breaker. If it happened I’m fortunate.

“Right now we need more experimental melodies in film music. The

problem is that the minute you start composing a soundtrack, you’re

thinking you’ll do what sells in the charts. Your intention becomes

diluted. It’s more about marketing than creativity.

“Which songs should go on the shelf, which should go into the pubs -

these questions should come after you create the music. And there’s a

diminishing respect for creative people. Stars get all the respect

because they bring in the audience. But what about other creative

people?”

But Rahman is hopeful. “It will all taper off. We’ll have more talent

coming in.”

By Bollywood Hungama News Network

It had to happen one day or the other. Even as B-Town was placing its

bets on the songstress Sunidhi Chauhan to be the first one to go

international, it comes as a surprise to know that Bollywood’s very

own ‘Chhaiya Chhaiya’ man Sukhwinder Singh, who only recently

Chak De’ed many a listener’s heart with his chart-bursting songs in

Chak De India and Om Shanti Om amongst others.

This man is now all set to sing in a Hollywood film which is being

directed by Steven Spielberg, no less! The film will star Denzel

Washington. Singh has been signed by Universal Pictures for the same.

Sukhwinder says that the Hollywood filmmakers wanted to recreate the

magic of ‘Chhaiya Chhaiya’, which had become immensely popular in

Hollywood. For this film however, he will be singing a traditional folk

Kutchi song.

New Delhi, Feb 7 (IANS) The Indian music terrain is proving to be a

huge draw for Pakistani bands, thanks to big money, fame and

Bollywood prospects. And Indian listeners who find their music soul

stirring are certainly not complaining.

When asked why he wants to perform here, budding Pakistani singer

Adeel retorted: “Why not India?” He recently launched his album “Koi

Chehra” in the national capital.

“Indian audiences have more understanding of music. The music

industry is bigger and offers a lot of global exposure. Moreover,

political upheaval in Pakistan is also one of the reasons that makes

India a magnificent destination,” Adeel told IANS.

Shallum Xavier, the guitarist of Pakistani band Fuzon, said: “The size

of the country also matters a lot. Pakistan is much smaller in size as

compared to India and there are so many places where we can

perform.”

He also said that more than six rock or pop bands are formed annually

in Pakistan and no less than five perform in India every year. Some of

the well-known bands include Jal, Junoon, Suroor, Fuzon, Mekaal

Hasan and Strings.

For many, a hit rock album can prove to be the ticket to Bollywood

and global acclaim.

“A hit rock album or performance can give us an entry in Bollywood.

In turn the band gets a wider audience and global acclaim since Hindi

films are extremely famous across the world. It helps the artistes

grow,” said Xavier.

“I have been fascinated by Bollywood since my childhood and want to

make it big like Atif Aslam,” said Adeel.

The huge pool of music buffs, political stability, an abundance of

sponsors and an organised music industry are some of the reasons that

make India an attractive destination for musicians from the

neighbouring country.

And Indians love them too.

“There is a huge audience base for rock music and what makes their

music a hit is the soul stirring lyrics in languages - Hindi and Urdu -

that are widely understood,” said Mihir Joshi, media and promotions

manager of EMI Music India, who has worked closely with renowned

Pakistani bands Mekaal Hasan and Fuzon.

“Quality lyrics are missing in most Indian rock bands’ songs because

professional lyricists are mostly consumed by Bollywood while the

Pakistani film industry is not very big. Also, compared to Pakistan

there is less piracy in India,” added Joshi.

However, Indian rock bands and singers feel that the neighbouring

country’s bands are in no way superior to indigenous bands and say

they lack sustainability.

“They might be successful in creating ripples among youngsters but a

majority of these Pakistani bands are one hit wonders. They fade away

as swiftly as they become popular,” said Palash Sen of Indian rock band

Euphoria.

“Also, Indian bands are technically better than Pakistani bands,”

contended Palash.

Singer Kailash Kher said: “In India, people are both aware and

unaware. Whatever you will offer them they will relish. I am not very

impressed with this idea because those who are talented will not have

to leave their country.”

By Radhika Bhirani

New Delhi, Feb 7(IANS) Internationally renowned flautist Pandit

Hariprasad Chaurasia feels that in the midst of the IT savvy Indian

youth, overtly charmed with western culture, Indian classical music is

losing its sheen and so is our tradition.

“Our culture and tradition is so rich that people from the West are

deeply inspired. But sadly, our own students and citizens, instead of

being proud of this richness want to be influenced by western culture. I

wish more people start thinking of preserving our tradition,” he told

IANS.

When asked about his vision for music in India, Chaurasia said: “I

hope music in India remains untouched by western influence and

maintain its quality and distinctness forever.”

Chaurasia, who was in town to perform for the annual ‘IDEA Jalsa’-an

Indian Music extravaganza, blames the increasing influence of the

West, modern schooling system and parenting for the lack of reverence

for Indian music among children.

“If Japanese is what you will hear in your childhood, that is all you will

know. Similarly, if the kind of loud music that prevails nowadays is all

that you hear, any other form of music will not soothe your ears,” he

said.

A proud recipient of the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan,

Chaurasia thinks that Indian classical music must be taught in school

but an increased emphasis on books prevents students from

appreciating the cultural heritage and art of our country.

He said: “Christian schools do impart training in all musical

instruments, but hardly any of our schools do so. It is their

responsibility to introduce Indian culture and tradition to the students

and if they fail in this endeavour, students cannot be blamed.”

Chaurasia added that with manifold increase in IT-related job

opportunities people have started are busy accumulating money.

He said, “Parents have become money-minded. They try to push their

children into a field where there will be a lot of money. Hence,

children have also started thinking alike.”

He is among the few musicians who have made a conscious effort to

reach out and expand the audience for classical music in India and

abroad.

Based on his international experiences, Chaurasia recounted: “Western

people are more inclined and fascinated by Indian classical music than

Indians. I feel very nice about their inquisitiveness which they satiate

either by learning how to play the instruments or by buying Indian

books on music.”

Chaurasia is disappointed with the music talent hunt reality shows on

television. “It is all about money making,” he said.

Adding his comments over such shows, Chaurasia expressed: “These

shows portray a bad picture of tradition. While singing Indian songs,

the contestants should wear Indian clothes and treat their ‘Gurus’

(mentors) with due respect. Indian tradition demands the student to

show respect by touching their teacher’s feet before singing. But here

nothing of this sort happens.”

When asked which contemporary musician influences him the most,

Chaurasia says he particularly likes compositions by A.R. Rahman.

“Rahman is very talented and his music is very soothing. I especially

liked his music in the film ‘Lagaan’,” he said.