**Sadabahar Geet Thread#1** ||Invitees only|| - Page 90

On Javed Akhtar's birthday, here's a melodious song written by him. The song is sung by Jagjit Singh and his wife Chitra Singh

Tumko dekha toh ye khayaal aaya...

https://youtu.be/-GRqHkV9Bls

The collaboration between singer Asha and composer OP Nayyar is legendary. Together, they created some of the most memorable songs of Bollywood. Nayyar is often credited with helping Asha Bhosle develop a distinct style, very different from that of her older sister Lata, who dominated the scene in the 1950s and 1960s. Though Asha sang her first solo song back in 1949, she had to wait till films like CID (1957) and Naya Daur (1957) came along, giving her a taste of success with a style of her own-fearless, breezy and sensuous.

The two met in 1952 at the music recording of a song titled Chham Chham Chham. Asha lived under the shadow of her older sister, whose rare finesse, softness, and subtlety of expression, ruled the roost then. She had to contend playing second fiddle for most parts. It is often said that it was OP Nayyar who convinced her that she was individualistic enough to strike out on her own. Under his guidance, Asha developed her carefree and fanciful style. She also mastered cabaret-style singing, bringing in sensuality in her music. Her duets with Mohammad Rafi, composed by Nayyar, were all Chartbusters in their time. Songs from films like Kashmir Ki Kali and Tumsa Nahin Dekha remain immensely popular to this day.

After long years of a professional association, the two parted ways on a rather bitter note in 1972, never to work together again. It has been speculated that Asha was emotionally involved with OP Nayyar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W__S5RySDcQ

There are many interesting stories based on OPN.

He was the first music director to demand Rs one lakh, a substantial figure in those days, which other composers could not even conceive of. After all, he had already been crowned Rhythm King when he was barely 30!

Even as the Guru and Geeta Dutt and OP combination worked wonders for all concerned, Siraj Khan says OP forever felt guilty about Guru Dutt’s untimely death. This is what he shared with Siraj Khan in his inimitable, straightforward style. “Talking of Guru Dutt, I always feel a pang of guilt. He used to confide his personal problems in me. His wife Geeta and his flame Waheeda, both had deserted him in the end and he was pretty disturbed. At around two am the same night that he committed suicide, my wife told me, ‘Raj Kapoor has phoned for you. He is saying that Guru Dutt is totally inebriated and is crying inconsolably, repeatedly calling for Nayyar saab!’ I was too tired and sleepy to go. I just told my wife to give some excuse. I had an appointment with Guru at his residence anyway the next morning at 10. I reached there the next morning and Abrar Alvi—his dialogue writer told me, ‘Guru has gone.’ Incredulously I asked, ‘Where?’ He said, ‘Guru Dutt is dead! His dead body is inside!’ True to my straight-talking nature, I just blasted those two women for ruining Guru’s life—Geeta, right there in front of Guru’s dead body in the drawing-room and Waheeda at the time of the funeral! As it is, Waheeda used to hate me as I had once told Guru Dutt, ‘She looks like a Goanese aayah’ and she had found out.”

Geeta and Waheeda are always in my all-time Favs. ---So with a bit of anger posting this, but music has its own charm on me, and OPN as well.

His songs had a unique freshness, a rare robust beat, a flowing style similar to what you feel when you dip your hand in a running stream❤️. His variety of rhythm patterns baffles the film industry, even today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8NEOdqiNgM

Even if loving meant leaving, or solitude, or sorrow, love was worth every moment of its price!!

Creativity reflects a person's heart. They can see the entirety of a person's life. Love, sorrow, deception, and pain. It's all there if you look closely!! Love travels from sorrow to sorrow, establishing roots that are watered by tears!!

Please read this friends, you'll agree with my words. -----------

Chain se hamko kabhi, an OP classic was historically also the Asha-OP swan song. Meanwhile, Geeta Dutt had become an alcoholic and tragically died in July 1972 while his relationship with Asha was on the rocks. It was effectively a double hit for him. They eventually split in August 1972, never to stand under the same roof again. But before they did, this gem of a song from Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye had been recorded. Ironically, the song bagged the 1973 Filmfare Award for the best female singer for Asha. She decided not to attend the awards ceremony. OP graciously accepted the award in her absence, but on the way home tossed it out from his car and heard it break. This was the tipping point, which was to haunt OP for the rest of his life. Although he composed for many years more (almost 150 songs) and tried many other female singers, the magic of the past was just not there. OP, the man, may have died on January 28, 2007 but OP the composer had clearly faded out much earlier.

In a weak moment of emotional introspection, OP even spoke to Siraj Khan about Asha and the influence she had on his life. In OP’s words, “Destiny unites and destiny parts. I understand astrology very well. I knew we had to part but I think it happened somewhat quicker than I thought it would. Having gone through the spring and autumn of my life, I can say that the most important person in my life was Asha. She was the best person I ever met. We were already working together since 1952 but got emotionally involved in 1959. It was on August 5, 1972 when we split and she walked away leaving a beautiful scar on my soul. We never stood under the same roof again and the feeling was mutual. As a woman, she was superb and very good to me. She was a good mother to her children. She transformed from an innocent bholi young lady to an extremely shrewd and clever woman right in front of my eyes, but I don’t blame her for that. As a singer, she sang all my songs with her heart and soul. However, Geeta Dutt’s voice modulation was far far better. It remains one of my greatest regrets that I phased out Geeta due to my emotional involvement with Asha, when it was Geeta who had introduced me to Guru Dutt. That’s when my career really took off.--he revealed in one of his interviews.

Song --ChainSe Hamko Kabhi...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78jydy6jXgg

'Shatranj Ke Khilaadi' is one of the works for which Satyajit Ray is known for. The movie is based on Legendary pioneer of Urdu and Hindi fiction Munshi Premchand's work of the same name. With a stellar cast consisting of actors like Amjad Khan, Sanjeev Kumar, Farida Jalal and more, it isn't a surprise that the film left its mark within the hearts of all viewers. The movie is set in Awadh (Oudh, or Modern day Lucknow) on the backdrop of Indian Rebellion of 1857. Ray bagged many awards for this sensational creation but I'm not here today to stress over the brilliance or sensationalism of the movie.

Today, on the morning of 17th January 2022 'Pandit Birju Maharaj Ji' - The Kathak Maestro died at his residence in Delhi leaving artists dedicated to the form, in a morose state. As someone who has been connected to the art form since the age of three and basically grown up listening, watching and learning from his contributions to Kathak, it comes as a sorrowful realization that a renowned name has left all of us in despair. But his art lives on. His works live on. His creations and contributions will continue to be remembered as fondly as his talent, by all of us.

Maharaj Ji will remain as the building block of Kathak forevermore. On this sorrowful occasion I'm going to attach below one of his most beautiful creations in the movie 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi' which is a song I've had a privilege to perform on, ages ago during my learning years as a child. The thumri features Saswati Sen didi swaying to the music who is a senior disciple of Maharaj Ji.

I hope it feels as surreal to all of you as it does to me whenever I go ahead and move along with it.

'You Will Be Remembered Maharaj Ji'

Movie : Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977)

Singer : Pandit Birju Maharaj Ji

In Frame : Saswati Sen Didi

Music : Satyajit Ray

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CjWbLCm_8s

So sorry to hear of Birju Maharaj's passing. He was truly one of the greats.

A wonderful song based on Raag Bhairavi. This is real Kathak with subtle facial expressions. Thanks for sharing this Shreya {?} Am I correct?

Legend has it that when Birju Maharaj was commissioned to choreograph Deepika Padukone for a classical song in ‘Bajirao Mastani’, the terrified Bollywood actress told the kathak maestro she was no Madhuri Dixit who could pick up his steps with ease.

Maharaj simply told her not worry and trust his abilities. The rest is visible in the choreography of ‘ Mohe rung Do Laal’ that presented an ethereal Padukone dance with graceful abandon on screen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU3eFkY1BTI&t=39s

Originally posted by: LizzieBennet

So sorry to hear of Birju Maharaj's passing. He was truly one of the greats.

He inspired many of us throughout his entire life and will continue to do so for the upcoming generations of artists. May his soul rests in peace.

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

A wonderful song based on Raag Bhairavi. This is real Kathak with subtle facial expressions. Thanks for sharing this Shreya {?} Am I correct?

Legend has it that when Birju Maharaj was commissioned to choreograph Deepika Padukone for a classical song in ‘Bajirao Mastani’, the terrified Bollywood actress told the kathak maestro she was no Madhuri Dixit who could pick up his steps with ease.

Maharaj simply told her not worry and trust his abilities. The rest is visible in the choreography of ‘ Mohe rung Do Laal’ that presented an ethereal Padukone dance with graceful abandon on screen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU3eFkY1BTI&t=39s

Umm Me? I'm Ritu. 🤡

Anyway.

Maharaj Ji in Bollywood was a whole another dynamic. While IRL his disciples and he himself focused on the math and intricacies of footwork and 'Taals-Amaads-Parans' in most performances in bollywood where the lyrics take precedence over the bols of the 'Tukda', Maharaj Ji was known to make use of the 'Rasa' - the emotional aesthetics compulsorily in his choreographies. Though I've never like MRDL as much as his previous creations (I can't help it I looked for techniques lol sorry 😳) it cannot be denied that the picturization and the aesthetics of this is anything other than brilliant. :)

https://youtu.be/AEiPjT5m5j0

Maalti gunthay kesh pyaare ghughvaari.. mukh daamni si damkat chaal matwari..

I've had the honour and privilege to attend a workshop by Pt. Birju Maharaj years ago and it was once in a life time kinda moment. The way he taught us, the simplicity, perfection, the kindness in his voice! He asked a question and I answered it and he patted my head, saying you're a good dancer and you have great potential. 😭 Feels like a personal loss.

I have the certificate with his signature😭

I couldn't believe when I saw the news this morning. 💔