Learn and Sing 1 Bollywood Classic Hindi Song per day for 300 days, that is what I did. 300 PLUS songs recorded.
Thanks to COVID to be able to do this from home in Nashville TN.
Born & raised in India, I mostly listened to western rock, blues, punk, reggae & jazz.
I challenged myself to learn & sing old Hindi songs which, as a child, I used to hear at home on classic radio or TV.
Recorded live, one take, no edits, with backing track, or with an acoustic guitar.
It is day 94, and today's song is Kabhi Kisiko Muqammal Jahan sung by Bhupinder Singh from the 1981 movie Ahista Ahista, directed by Esmayeel Shroff. Music composed by Khayyam, and lyrics written by Nida Fazli.
This song originally is in two versions. The other version, a female version of the same song, is sung by Asha Bhosle. A very nice song with deep lyrical content that basically reflects on the idea that nobody ever gets a perfect world of life.
Here is a rendition with lyrical video (posted on July 26, 2024):
Any ways, here it is, my rendition of the song (posted on May 17, 2021):
It is day 67 and today's song is O Majhi Re Apna Kinara sung by Kishore Kumar from the 1975 movie Khushboo, directed by Gulzar and produced by Prasan Kapoor. Music composed by R.D. Burman and lyrics written by Gulzar.
This is one of my all time favorite songs, much like Musafir Hoon Yaron, how can it not be, right. This song has talent oozing from all sides, voice, music and lyrics.
I remember watching this movie a year or so ago, not a bad movie.
Here is a solo rendition singing live with an acoustic guitar (posted on July 09, 2024):
Here is my solo acoustic guitar rendition of this song (recorded on Dec 01, 2022):
Here is another rendition of the song with backing tracks (recorded on April 12, 2021):
It is day 410 of 300, and today's song is Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Lesung by Suresh Wadkar from the 1983movieSadma directed by Balu Mahendra and produced by Raj N Sippy. Music composed by Illayaraja, and lyrics written by Gulzar.
Here is my rendition of the song with backing tracks and lyrical video (posted on July 05, 2024):
It is day 334 of 300, and today's song is O Janewale Ho Sake Tosung by Mukesh from the 1963movie Bandini directed and produced by Bimal Roy. Music composed by S.D.Burman, and lyrics written by Shailendra.
Here is a live rendition, solo with an acoustic guitar (posted on July 02, 2024):
Here is a rendition of the song with lyrical video (posted on April 19, 2024):
Here is a rendition of the song (posted on Oct 18, 2022):
It is day 51, and today's song is Jayen To Jayen Kahan sung by Talat Mahmood from the 1954 Bollywood movie Taxi Driver, directed by Chetan Anand. Lyrics written by Sahir Ludhianvi, and music composed by S.D. Burman.
This is my third back to back posting of a S.D. Burman song. He is my new found favorite Bollywood music composer of all times.
This song I know I used to hear a lot on the radio, and a neighbor singing often, growing up in India.
Here is a newer rendition with lyrical video (posted on June 28, 2024):
Anyways, here is my rendition of the song of day 51 with backing tracks (posted on March 19, 2021):
It is day 172, and today's song is Dil Dhoondta Haisung by Bhupinder Singh from the 1975movieMausam, directed by Gulzar. Music composed by Madan Mohan, and lyrics written by Gulzar.
What a great song! What a great movie!
Gulzar stated that the song Dil Dhoondta Hai, "...one his most memorable songs.
Here is a live solo rendition with an acoustic guitar, kazoo and feet (posted on Jun 24, 2024):
Here it is, my rendition of the song with backing tracks (posted on Sept 09, 2021):
It is day 409 of 300, and today's song is Andhe Jahan Ke Andhe Rasstesung by Talat Mahmood from the 1953moviePatita directed and produced by Amiya Chakrabarty. Music composed by Shankar Jaikishan, and lyrics written by Shailendra.
Here is my rendition of the song with backing tracks and lyrical video (posted on June 21, 2024):
It is day 408 of 300, and today's song is Raju Chal Rajusung by Kishore Kumar from the 1978movieAzaad directed and produced by Pramod Chakravorty. Music composed by R.D. Burman, and lyrics written by Anand Bakshi.
Here is my rendition of the song singing live with an acoustic guitar (posted on June 18, 2024):
It is day 149, and today's song is Suhani Chandni Raatensung by Mukesh from the 1977movieMukti, directed an produced by Raj Tilak. Music composed by R.D. Burman and lyrics written by Anand Bakshi.
I have childhood memories of this song. Some good, some bad.
Here is a rendition with lyrical video (posted on June 14, 2024):
Here is a solo rendition with me on acoustic guitar (posted on April 4, 2023):
Here is my rendition of the song with backing tracks (posted on August 10, 2021):
It is day 407 of 300, and today's song is Aise To Na Dekhosung by Mohammed Rafi from the 1965movieTeen Devian directed and produced by Amarjeet. Music composed by S.D. Burman, and lyrics written by Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Here is my rendition of the song with backing tracks and lyrical video (posted on May 30, 2024):
It is day 30 and today's song is Ram Kare Aisa Ho Jaye, sung by Mukesh, from the 1967 movie Milan, directed by A. Subba Rao, music composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal, and lyrics written by Anand Bakshi.
I don't recall watching this movie ever. I think I will watch this movie Milan tonight.
Not sure many people know this song. I happen to know it because we used to have a cassette tape of all songs from this movie, Milan. I remember liking the album and I remember playing it many times as a child growing up in India. I must say my father had a great taste of choice for the Bollywood songs, and he had quite a collection of tapes. Listening to those tapes, and then radio and chitrahaar on doordarshan TV are sources of my memory of the Bollywood classic Hindi songs.
I don't know what raga (or raag) this song is based on. If you do, please post in the comments.
Here is a rendition with Lyrical video (posted on 05/24/2024):
Here is my rendition of the song singing solo with an acoustic guitar (recorded on 11/07/2022):
Here is another rendition of the song with backing tracks (recorded on 02/26/2021):
It is day 8 of my one song per day for 300 days. Today I picked a very old song from a 1955 movie Bara-Dari, not a very popular movie I guess, but I will say that this song I have heard many many times on the radio as a kid. Back then itself this song was an oldie. This movie is directed by K. Amarnath. Music direction by Naushad, and lyrics penned by Khumar Barabankwi. Not sure what raga this melody is based on, but if you know, please comment. This song Tasveer Banata Hoon is sung by the smooth mellow singer Talat Mahmood.
Here is a rendition of the song with lyrical video (posted on May 17, 2024):
Here is my rendition of the song with backing tracks (posted on Feb 04, 2021):
It is day 406 of 300, and today's song is Ae Dil Mujhe Aisi Jagah Le Chalsung by Talat Mahmood from the 1950movieArzoo directed by Shaheed Latif and produced by Hiten Chowdhary. Music composed by Anil Biswas, and lyrics written by Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Here is my rendition of the song with backing tracks and lyrical video (posted on Apr 26, 2024):
It is day 48, and today's song is Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain (दो दिल मिल रहे हैं) sung by Kumar Sanu from the 1997 Bollywood movie Pardes. Music composed by Nadeem-Shravan, and lyrics written by Anand Bakshi.
This is my first post of a Kumar Sanu song. I really know only very few Kumar Sanu songs. But thanks to smule.com, I get to hear songs I do not know. This is one such song which I heard for the first time in about a year ago on smule.com. I liked the song so I learned it.
Here is a rendition of the song with lyrical video (posted on April 14, 2024):
Here is an older rendition of the song (posted on March 16, 2021):
Day#3, this is my third song of the series, 1 song per day for 300 days, and I am thinking, what was I thinking and what did I get myself into. Why am I singing and posting these classic Bollywood songs when the original recording as sung by the original singer, and as recorded by the original music director and his musicians are still available for anybody to listen to on popular streaming sites like spotify, youtube, pandora, etc. 🤷
I guess I have found a liking to singing these old Hindi songs. Songs that radio played and I would listen to as a boy growing up in India.
Yeh Nayan Dare Dare, meaning frightened eyes, is the title of this smooth song sung by Hemant Kumar. The song is from the movie Kohra. A thriller mystery movie from 1964 directed by Biren Nag. Hemant Kumar is the music director, and lyrics written by Kaifi Azmi. Jhoom Jhoom Dhalti Raat by Lata Mangeskar is another hit song from this movie Kohra.
I must say, I do not remember listening to this song on the radio much. It perhaps was on the greatest hits tape of Hemant Kumar which we had at home. One from my father's song tape collections. In the last few months I have heard a few people sing this song on karaoke apps like Smule.com and Starmaker.com. I learned a lot from them. Quite fun apps too. But it has been a good avenue and experience for me to recollect and learn and sing these classic Bollywood songs. Many of these songs I have never sung before in my life. But thanks to Corona, I am having this opportunity to recollect and learn and sing these songs.
I must say, the pitch or key of the song is half a tone lower than what I would have preferred. Some apps like starmaker do give the option to lower or raise the pitch, but I feel the music quality is compromised. The app I used to record this song does not give me the option to change the pitch. So I went with what was there. So here it, my rendition of Yeh Nayan Dare Dare.
Here is a version with lyrics (posted on April 07 2024):
Here is a solo with acoustic guitar version (posted on April 11, 2023):
Here is a version with backing tracks (posted on Jan 30, 2021):
Day 3, and 297 more to go...Let's see how many songs I can do. Fingers crossed.
It's 11:11pm here, and I think I am going to go now and watch this movie Kohra. Kohra was made in 1964, a Bollywood masala adaption version of Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca, which in turn was an adaptation from Daphne du Maurier's 1938 novel Rebecca, only with a different end.
Hope I like it. Hope you like it too. Good night!
Tomorrow is another day, another song....1 song per day for 300 days....
Ye Nayan Dare Dare Ye Jaam Bhare Bhare Zara Pine Do Kal Ki Kisako Khabar Ik Raat Hoke Nidar Mujhe Jine Do Ye Nayan Dare Dare Raat Hasi Ye Cahand Hasi To Sabase Hasi Mere Dilabar Raat Hasi Ye Chaand Hasi To Sabase Hasi Mere Dilabar Aur Tujhase Hasi Aur Tujhase Hasi
Tera Pyaar Tu Jaane Na
Ye Nayan Dare Dare Ye Jaam Bhare Bhare Zara Pine Do Ye Nayan Dare Dare
Pyaar Me Hai Jivan Ki Khushi Deti Hai Khushi Kai Gam Bhi Pyaar Me Hai Jivan Ki Khushi Deti Hai Khushi Kai Gam Bhi Mai Maan Bhi Lun Mai Maan Bhi Lun Kabhi Haar Tu Maane Na
Ye Nayan Dare Dare Ye Jaam Bhare Bhare Zara Pine Do Kal Ki Kisako Khabar Ik Raat Hoke Nidar Mujhe Jine Do Ye Nayan Dare Dare
Jan 27 2021...wow is it really 2021? Time is flying it feels.
I was watching the Nora Ephron movie Julie & Julia on Jan 27 2021. Awesome movie narrating an interwoven story of Julia Child, a cooking professional, and Julie Powell a blogger. Both went on to publish cook books. This movie and Julie Powell inspired me to do something I have never done anything like it before. I cook occasionally on need basis, but I am no cook. But I do sing and write music. I have mostly sung and written English rock songs, but I have been learning Hindi songs in the last few months, thanks to the Corona pandemic lockdown.
Inspired by Julia Powell’s story, I decided I will sing one Bollywood classic Hindi song per day for the next 300 days and post it on my YouTube channel called Puraane Gaane पुराने गाने, meaning old songs.
The next day, Jan 28, I came across an awesome classic Hindi song titled Raah Pe Rehte Hain from a 1982 movie Namkeen. Awesome movie and equally awesome song. The lyrics of this song is written by none other than the awesome Mr. Gulzar, my all time favorite Indian song writer and poet. He also directed the movie. Music director is none other than the great Mr. R.D.Burman. He too is one of my favorite Indian music directors, but I am a bigger fan of his father’s work, legendary Mr. S.D.Burman. The song was originally sung by the great Mr. Kishore Kumar.
I am no expert in Indian classical music, so I am not sure what raaga this song is based on (if you do, please put in the comments section). I am not a trained singer, so this is actually a learning experience for me. Last I sang a few Hindi songs was during my childhood days in India, and that has been quite a while.
I hope I can keep the steam and momentum going to sing and post one Bollywood classic song per day for the next 300 days, and this is day 1.
Raah pe rahte hai Yaadon pe basar karte hai Khush raho ehale watan
Ho... hum to safar karte hai
Jal gaye jo dhoonp mein to Saayaa ho gaye Jal gaye jo dhoonp mein to Saayaa ho gaye Samaan kaa koi konaa O Dhaa sogaye Jo gujar jaatee hai bas Ho... us pe gujar karate hai
Raah pe rahte hai Yaadon pe basar karte hai Khush raho ehale watan Ho... hum to safar karte hai
Ho... udte pairon ke tale jab Bahatee hain zameen Ho... Mood ke hum ne koi manzil Dekhee hee nahee Raat din raahon pe hum Ho... shaam-o-asahar karate hai
Raah pe rahte hai Yaadon pe basar karte hai Khush raho ehale watan Ho... hum to safar karte hai
"Saamma, Samma" ...
"Samma, Samma"
Aise ujade aashiyaane Tinake udd gaye Ho...
Aise ujade aashiyane Tinake udd gaye Bastiyon tak aate aate Raste mood gaye
Humm thhahar jaaye jahaaan Usako shahar karate hai
Raah pe rahte hai Yaadon pe basar karte hai Khush raho ehale watan Ho... hum to safar karte hai
It is day 405 of 300, and today's song is Yeh Zindagi Ke Melesung by Mohammed Rafi from the 1948movieMela directed and produced by S.U. Sunny. Music composed by Naushad, and lyrics written by Shakeel Badayuni.
Here is my rendition of the song with backing tracks (posted on Mar 18, 2024):
It is day 404 of 300, my LAST SONG, and today's song is O Mehboobasung by Mukesh from the 1964movieSangam directed and produced by Raj Kapoor. Music composed by Shankar Jaikishan, and lyrics written by Hasrat Jaipuri.
I started this journey thinking I will sing 300 songs, and here I am on song 404. My last song.
I started this journey as a very below average singer. but I learnt a lot. I have become a better singer and a musician. Granted the quality of recording is average as I used karaoke tracks on apps like Smule and all songs are in a single take. No room to fix errors.
Here is a rendition with backing tracks (posted on Feb 14, 2024):
