Accha lagata hai...

Hi all,

Some years ago in 2004, I was listening a song .. "agar mai kahu" from "Lakshya". Preity says to Hritik - "Is baat ko agar tum zara ghuma fira ke kahate to accha lagata .. " and yesterday I heard, Deepika saying "Zara short me batalao na .. seedhe point pe aao na !!"

Man, I was surprised, is it really the next generation in say 6-7 years ? In old days (2004) girls wanted a guy to propose them without direct words and with some poetic language containing lots of different similes and metaphors but now they want him to just say it .. don't beat around the bush u dumbo !! Or is it just that guys don't understand what girls really like.. May be this is the case. I am always confused about it .. and still am..

Preity doesn't like her to be compared to moon because it also has some spot .. at the end hero is so tired and says I don't know what to say because even if I say something you don't like it .. and after his defeat She is finally ready and says that she also likes him .. Huh .. it's so complicated..

Hmm I will leave this to the girls to explain .. oh both songs have same music directors Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. So enjoy the songs till then bye ..

Coke Studio .. A great way of fusion

Hi All,

I was reading news in Maharashtra times and came across the name "Coke Studio", checked that thing and was surprised to see actually a Music program, a good music program on MTV. Ha ha, yup I just think that MTV is all shows like Jersey Shore from US to Rodies from India. But this was a pleasant surprise ! The main program started in Brazil as Coca cola studio (as stated on Wiki of Coke studio India) but I could not find any links for it .. Leave it .. So the journey started in Brazil and continued to the Pakistan .. Yah it's Coke studio season 4 in Pakistan now.

Mr. Rohail Hyatt produced the Coke studio in Pakistan. It started in 2008 and continuing successfully till date. They started with Strings, Ali Zafar, Ali Azamat and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. These were well known artists but they also added some not so known singers. While the popularity of the program increased, in subsequent seasons they invited Abeeda Parween also. The best singer I found out on this was Arif Lohar.



Producer did some good jam sessions and also gave chance to meet sufi singers with the pop stars and combine the melody. They had a nice house band. They achieved to keep the band on the background and highlight the singing talent. I have to give here some of the great performances.



This great concept acquired in India and started the Coke studio India. Music is directed by Leslie Lewis. You must be knowing him from the Colonial Cousins, his band with Hari Haran. The format is somewhat similar to Pakistani show but changed in sense that Jam sessions are having two or more artists. They are singing folk songs from east, west, south and north. So a Punjabi song is mixed with a Carnatic classical song by Bombay Jayshree. This is a good format as considering wide spread folk music in India. But in many sessions I found out that the music of band was overpowering the singers. If the Leslie could get over it, it's going to be a great effort.

  

Singers, you know are very talented like Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Bombay Jayshree, Shankar Mahadevan, KK, and Kailash Kher. But I liked some of new voices for me: Richa Sharma , Wadali Brothers. So again giving some good songs I wish good luck for Coke studio team and wish that they will provide us more and more great music in future.

Sherlock

Hi all,

Today I am going to write about the personality who doesn't need any introduction. I think you must have read or heard this name at least once in your life, the name is Sherlock Holmes ! The great detective, brainchild of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle residing at 221 B, Baker Street, London. His father published his first story in 1887 and after more than hundred years, he is still alive with his fans and followers.

I guess everybody will be saying we know about this and we have read about it. Recently I came across the British television series from 1984 "Sherlock Holmes" in which actor Jeremy Brett portrayed the legendary detective. And according to me he was very successful in that. I read several stories. Started from my childhood in Marathi and now the original ones on kindle. I think Jeremy Brett has done a marvelous job. He shows the intensity and intelligence of Holmes' character with great details. I would certainly recommend to watch the series which is very close to the narration of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Just one concern that Jeremy sometimes look old for the stories in the early age of Sherlock when he was around 30 years old. Oh one tip - some parts are available on youtube and you can find it on netflix also. Yup buying DVD is a great option too.

Another series I came across was Sherlock. It is kind of rebooting the series what they call with hollywood flicks. But this is a complete new series which takes place in the current London with the Sherlock living in 2010. Authors based their stories on the actual stories of Sherlock Holmes but made them modern. I liked Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock as his age matches with the Sherlock's age. This is a great series. I did not find it on youtute but still watch it. Yup and for UK ppl, it's going to return in the 2011 so you can watch it on BBC.

And for the fans of Robert Downy Jr. trailer of Sherlock Holmes 2.

 


So stay alert and watch your steps as Holmes follows you !!! 

गाणी मणीरत्नमची (songs from Manirathanam)

नमस्कार!

दिग्दर्शक मणीरत्नम सर्वाना एक सामाजिक आणि वेगळे विषय असणारे चित्रपट काढणारा म्हणून सुपरिचित आहेच. त्याच्या दहशदवादाच्या विषयावरील त्रिमूर्ती तर बहुतेकांनी पाहिली असेल ती म्हणजे रोजा, बॉम्बे (आता चित्रपटाचे नाव हेच होते) आणि दिल से . पण हाच दिग्दर्शक खूप अप्रतिम गाण्यांचे सादरीकरण आपल्या चित्रपटांमध्ये करतो. त्या गाण्यांची अजून एकदा आठवण करून देतो आणि जर कुठली गाणी माहिती नसतील तर अशा आहे की ती आवडतील (नाही आवडली तर सोडून द्या).

सुरवात करू त्याच्या जुन्या चित्रपटांपासून ज्यावेळेस तो हिंदी चित्रपटसृष्टीला माहिती नव्हता. चित्रपट आहे अग्नी नच्चतीरम (१९८८). रेल्वे फलाट आणि प्रत्यक्ष रेल्वेचा सुंदर वापर केलेला आहे या गाण्यामध्ये. अंधार आणि दिवे की जे काही भागच प्रकाशित करत आहेत ते एक वेगळाच अनुभव देऊन जातात. रात्रीची शेवटची लोकल गेली किवा तुम्ही कधी पहिल्या लोकल ची वाट पाहत बसलेले असता तेव्हा जसा दिसेल फलाट तसाच बरोबर चित्रित केलेला आहे. उगीच त्याला भडक करायचा प्रयत्न नाही.

पुढील चित्रपट बहुतेक अनेकांनी त्यांच्या बालपणी पहिला असेल. माझी तरी आठवण आहे. तो आहे अंजली (१९९०). या चित्रपटामध्ये त्यांनी इतक्या लहान मुलांकडून मोठे काम करून घेतले आहे. या एका गाण्यामाध्येच त्याची झलक आपल्याला दिसून येते. एका संकुलामध्ये राहणारी खोड्या करणारी मुले आणि ती काही नादान नाहीत - त्यांना सगळे माहिती आहे काय चालू आहे ते.

आता पर्यंत तो इलैराजा बरोबर काम करत होता. पण १९९२ मध्ये त्यांनी ठरवले एका नवीन संगीतकाराला संधी देऊ. आणि त्यांनी जगापुढे आणला ऑस्कर विजेता ए. आर. रहमान. चित्रपट होता रोजा. काश्मीर च्या बर्फाळ पर्वतांमध्ये नुकतेच लग्न झालेले जोडपे दहशदवादाला न घाबरता प्रेमात दंग आहेत याचे सुरेख चित्रीकरण ये हसीन वादीया या गाण्यात येते. तशी या चित्रपटातील सगळीच गाणी एका पेक्षा एक आहेत.

बॉम्बे (१९९५) त्याकाळी अत्यंत वादग्रस्त ठरलेला चित्रपट. मला आठवतंय चित्रपटगृहाबाहेर पोलिसांचा पहारा आणि रात्री गेलो म्हणून बरोबर घेतलेली विजेरी सुद्धा उघडून पाहिली होती. तर या चित्रपटामाधीलाही गाणी आठवणीत रहावीत अशी आहेत. केहेनही क्या ! मध्ये त्याला पहिल्यांदाच पाहून काळजीत पडलेली मनीषा की हा आपल्याला का आवडला तिला कळत नाहीये की काय करू आणि काय बोलू. पण चित्रीकरणासाठी उत्कृष्ट गाणे म्हणजे तुही रे. ती पावसाळी हवा - वादळाला सुरुवात होणार आहे अश्या वाटणाऱ्या समुद्रातल्या लाटा - मनीषाची तगमग आणि अरविंद स्वामी चे वाट पाहणे. अप्रतिम !

लोकांना फार न आवडलेला चित्रपट म्हणजे दिल से (१९९८). बहुतेक लोकांना तो झेपला नाही किवा शेवटी शहरूक आणि मनीषा दोघेही मारतात हे त्यांना आवडले नाही. त्यातील छैया छैया वर तर सगळेच जण नाचले पण धगधगत्या गावाच्या पार्श्वभूमीवर फुलणारे प्रेम दाखवणारे दिल से रे म्हणजे कळस. आता शहरूकनी त्याची स्टाइल मारली आहे असे म्हणून नका. पण पुन्हा एकदा दडपण धूडकावाणारी लहान मुले मणीरत्नमची समज दाखवून जातात. हा आता माझे आवडते गाणे मात्र जिया जले आहे. केरळची पार्श्वभूमी आणि हत्तींबरोबर नाच.



साथिया नावाचा चित्रपट बर्याच लोकांना आठवत असेल. तो बनवला होता मणीरत्नमच्या सहायकांनी. मणी नी तो आधीच २००० मध्ये दक्षिणेत अलाई पयुथे म्हणून बनवला होता. माधवन जो आता हिंदी मधेही खूप दिसतो, तो त्यावेळेस तिकडचा हीट तारा होता. तर साथिया साथिया गाणे बरेच प्रसिद्ध झाले होते आणि बर्याच नोकिया ची ती रिंग टोन (मराठी शब्द काय ?) होती. ते आपल्या रहमान नी पचाई निरमे म्हणून बनवले होते. रंगांचा वापर पहायचा तर तो इथे. हिरवा, लाल, पिवळा, निळा आणि पांढरा अप्रतिम रंगसंगती साधली आहे. त्याच्या निम्मी ही शाद अली ला साधता आली नाही. या गाण्यात २:५२ ला माझा आवडता कॅमेरा चा उपयोग आहे.


अजून एका गाण्याची ओळख करून देतो शेवटी. चित्रपट आहे युवा (२००४). यात तरुणाई चा जोश दाखवणारे धका लागे बुक्का हे मस्त गाणे आहे. पण आजकालच्या तरुणाई ची क्लब मध्ये जाऊन नाचण्याची आवड आणि व्यक्तिरेखांची ओळख दाखवणारे फन्ना.


मिसळपाव वर पूर्वप्रकाशित.

Revisiting Julie and Julia

Hi,

May be some of you remember in the month of November 2009 I wrote about the movie Julie and Julia (really I also forgot exactly when did I write about it but then some searching gave me exact month). So like 15 days back I was roaming in the library (please don't think I am so studious, I was waiting for my friend to come out of a class and meet other girls). Suddenly I saw one shelf where they were having books which made it in to movie or any TV drama. The first shot was Dracula by Barm Stoker. I want to read that thing since I was kid but now with many Dracula films under my belt and read one translation I was still looking around. And it caught my eyes - "Julie and Julia - my years of cooking Dangerously " . I just checked it out and took it to home to read.

Due date for the book was 2 March so I was going slow. Not like my regular attempt to finish a book in a night. But then suddenly somebody recalled it and I got new due date - Feb 16. And now I write with success of completing the book.

Yup, so this book is like a memoir of Julie Powel who started this Julie/Julia project. She's a 29 years old secretary in NYC, doing just every day work and getting depressed for not doing anything different or attractive or something like that. So she needs something to keep motivating and she finds the book of Julia Child and decides to cook its 524 recipes in 365 days. Her book talks about her cooking experiments which she says were dangerous. Yah and they sound dangerous, even in US its not usual to say that I cooked bone-marrow cutting the bone in the home or I boned the whole duck and don't forget about the measurements of butter like three quarter pounds. I have never seen to measure butter in recipe in pounds. They are dangerous.

So not going in the details of the story, lets see the writing style (wow, this is my first book review haha, I am not a good writer). She writes her first book. And it is like a blog. It consists of small chapters which come with emails, blog posts, comments from readers and her time in her office and kitchen. Some parts you feel funny, but I did not think that this was that LOL book as mentioned in the cover. May be conceptions of LOL are different for me.

If you want to compare the movie and book, I feel Norah had portrayed a subtle Julie, where in the books she shows herself as a lunatic (I don't know if it suites or not but I don't care). She says she used F word often and her language is not gentle as you can see it in her blog too.

After reading old post, my friend was thinking of going to French Restaurant but he did not find one. Actually I also looked around but could not find one. Need to look at some better places.

So I can say if you are fan of cooking, eating or if you are thinking that your life is boring you will get something in this book. So search for it and don't be surprised with the language - you can say may be PG-13.

So See you next time.

Bye

The journey of a Song

Hi All,

With a biiiiiig gap .. I am back !

This will be a small post with lot of songs. They talk about remix, remake, inspiration and stolen songs all the time. One of the songs I was listening these days is "La La La " from singer Auburn. (She is from Minneapolis !!). Okay .. I was wiking (now I feel they should add this with googling) that song and I found it was a version of the other song from German Europop band ATC ( A touch of Class). I searched that song and found that it is not their song but it came from a Russian original song "Pesenka (La La La)". Now I got confused that what's going on and I found out that there are more two versions of this song one from Girlicious " 2 in the morning". They just sampled "La La La" and the other from beFour (again German) "Magic Melodies". So I thought I can share a journey of a song chronologically with you.

First comes the original Russian "Pesenka (La La La)" 1998



Then comes the ATC one "Around the world (La La La La La) 2000



Now comes beFour " Magic melodies " 2007



Time for sampler Girlicious " 2 in the morning" 2010



And here comes the song from Auburn.



Wow so many songs .. and so many versions.

Yah, I don't want to get in to fighting about the original and stolen or inspiration - hmm this can be a method to introduce a nice tune, song, idea, film to the other world. As we say in academic world references should be perfect so they wont tell you that its a plagiarism.

I am thinking of writing about Europop. That was the with which we were introduced to the English music and later found out those guys were not from US or UK. But that will be a separate post.

Till then La La La