Sunday, November 13, 2011

Day 17: Jo Bole So Nihal

Just came back from the Boston Bhangra Competition, heard some sick bhangra songs.
Here are two:

1) Photo Rakh Ke Kitab by Miss Pooja:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0gO9w40cik

2) Lakh 28 Kudi Da by Diljit and Honey Singh:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNueT4hevwg

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Day 16: Apart

Some sadder songs.

Hindi: 
1) Jag Soona Soona Lage from Om Shanti Om. Man finds out his crush is pregnant with the child of another guy. Ooooh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMVz9_0XoP0

2) Tanhaiyee from Dil Chahta Hai. Very well known song from this bromance movie, title literally means "loneliness."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adAU8YgDZWM

3) Tadap Tadap from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Used to ignore this song, but it's grown on me. This whole video is quite excessively dramatic. The part in the video where he's screaming at the sky in the desert is paramount.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpnAUL1PXnw

Tamil:
1) Uyire from Bombay. Another very well-known and loved song, and this is as emo as it gets. Also, the octave range for this song is very big, the singers have serious talent to pull it off. Was dubbed in Hindi as "Tu Hi Re".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB_bZf6a4jo

2) Porale from Karuthamma. A song about a girl leaving town (forcibly.) Melody was reused in another Rahman song "Chanda Suraj". The happy version of this song is good too.
Sad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7Ldrtz38Os
Happy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8c2cFeUSnQ

Monday, November 7, 2011

Day 15: Crunk

Phew, it's been a long week of projects, DJ-ing, dancing, etc. Sorry for the delay guys.
Covering a few songs that have to do with intoxication, there are so many.

Hindi:
Chalak Chalak from Devdas. This guy eventually drinks himself to death, but not before singing this merry song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azbrgGSZH4M

Khaike Paan Banaraswala from Don. Remake of the song from the 70s, but an equally catchy tune. This has more to do with organic substance abuse instead of alcohol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH_oARs8j9Q

Punjabi:
Ni Main Ho Gaya Sharabi by Panjabi MC. The title means literally "I got drunk." Downtempo bhangra song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiNAZBNJlSs

Kannada:
Ekka Raja Rani from Jackie. These people are clearly on something, but there's an underlying story of gambling in this song as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkhRG9Y_NtQ

Tamil:
Padichu Paarthen from Padikkadhavan. Main chorus line translates to "I tried studying but it didn't get to my head. But I tried drinking, and it definitely reached my head."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWtc5T5fQzQ

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Day 14: You Can Do It

Songs about perseverance and accomplishment.

Hindi:
Chale Chalo from Lagaan: One of the very best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9dnRFyGQzg

Tamil:
1) Sutta Suriyane from Sarvam. Samples an old Illaiyaraja song, but has a cool instrumentation in my opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNkr0bqpOgE

2) Mudivilla Mazhaiyodu from Vandhaan Vendraan. Fantastic orchestral feel, reminiscent of some old 90's Rahman tamil songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44tOv0cFx9c

Telugu:
Thaka Thimi Thom from Aarya: This song is alright, but its mostly for the dance moves in the vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZomRULEOJh8

Monday, October 31, 2011

Day 13: Introducing the Villain

Hindi:
1) Main Hoon Don from Don. A remake of an old Amitabh movie, this song introduces Shah Rukh Khan in his villainous role in an almost James Bond way, filled with girls and champagne.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhLGjTR3xjw

2) Beera from Raavan. Video starts with Raavan kidnapping Sita, and as far as Indian mythology goes, that's as classic villain as it gets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO9tWS0oyys

Tamil:
1) Title Song from Aalavandhan. The video for this is chopped up as the song is interlaced with action scenes, but basically imagine an escaped murderer from a high security mental institution wreaking havoc all over town.
http://www.raaga.com/play/?id=4904

2) Baasha Paaru from Baasha. This is questionably a hero's entrance, but maybe that gives away more than necessary about the movie's plot. Either way, it's Rajnikanth, and one of his best (i.e. classic south indian ridiculous action scenes) movies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ6KtcQnvOg

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Day 12: Moon

Many many many songs have been written comparing the moon to someone they love. Here are some I listen to often.

Tamil:
Vennilave from Minsara Kanavu, comparing a girl to the moon. One of AR Rahman's best songs in my opinion, Hariharan and Sadhana sing it very well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkkrkXzKCDo
The sad version of that song is also really really good, this time sung by Shankar Mahadevan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cT_mXWzzwc

Hindi:
1) So Jaa Chanda form Mission Kashmir. A beautiful song in a sad context, here a mom singing about her son.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcaI91b3vdE

2) Chand Taare from Yes Boss. This one has actually nothing to do with the beauty of the moon, but instead in relation to the "the sky is the limit" metaphor. Old Shah Rukh Khan song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMqVqW_171Y




Telugu:
1) Chandrakala from Adhurs. The melody of this song is very smooth. You just need to completely block the abrasive/intrusive/poorly written English lyrics out of the song. It's actually really hard to do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVLyXf46P5I

2) Dholna Dholna from Chukkalo Chandrudu. I'm always surprised to hear Sukhwinder Singh singing south indian songs, but this one works well for him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVfZhUtNYVk

Day 11: Colors

Hindi:
1) Mujhe Rang De from Thakshak. Popular dance song from the 90's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlgYR1_Fve8

2) Des Rangila from Fanaa. The beginning samples an Algerian melody Abdel Kader; this song would make a great girls dance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xSEDXSi-EQ

3) Holi Re from Mangal Pandey. Nice song about Holi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o8Cslm9uNc

Tamil:
Pachai Nirame from Alai Payuthey. Great lyrics and video, compares a girl's characteristics to various colors. Absolutely gorgeous flute melody. This song was remade in Hindi in the movie Saathiya.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjdFXZC8UMs

Telugu:
Kottu Kottu from Mass. Another song about holi.
http://www.raaga.com/play/?id=34553

Friday, October 28, 2011

Day 10: Famous Last Words

A rather odd topic for a post, but these are some songs where the main character dies at the end.

Hindi:
1) Yeh Zindagi Usiki Hai from Anarkali. A super old song, here the girl gets entombed at the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7PU6IlVSW4

2) Mera Rang De Basanti Chola from Legend of Bhagat Singh. This one is about 3 guys who are about to be hung for their anti-British efforts during the Indian revolution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JRIhF3kh_8

Tamil:
Kallai Mattum Kandal from Dasavatharam. Intense song rendered by Hariharan; main character is a Vishnu believer and the king of the region is a Shiva believer. Unwilling to part with his Vishnu idol, the king tosses him and the statue into the sea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R5PmDkRNdw

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Day 9: Introducing the Hero

Some songs that introduce the hero of a movie.

Hindi:
1) M Bole To from Munnabhai MBBS, rather hilarious introduction of a gangster who forges his way into medical school (MBBS is a medical degree in India).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhYB8_6hYHE&ob=av3e

2) Chale Jaise Hawaien from Main Hoon Na. I really only listen to this song for the male singer who comes in at the end, but this video is amazingly done in (almost) one shot with no edits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lylqp3LBQfA&feature=related

3) Mera Joota Hai Japani from Shree 420. Much older song, but a humble beginning for a hero in a movie. One of the songs that my parents liked to play in the car.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wjGc1zGWBc&ob=av3e

Tamil:
1) Oruvan Oruvan from Muthu. This song used to be a staple in AR Rahman concerts; what's more strange is that this song is a smash hit in Japan. There are many Youtube/game show videos of Japanese people singing this song. I don't think anyone knows why, but it's probably because it contains Rajnikanth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXiD9eGaEEI

2) Title Song from Thenali. A great comedy movie, this song introduces Thenali, a guy who's pathologically afraid of everything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOvNEx26KIs

Telugu:
1) Title Song from Ek Niranjan. The guy in this song sings about how he has no parents, siblings, friends, house, doesn't know his name or age, etc, but nevertheless he is a carefree guy and does as he pleases.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXATdYzGXJo

2) Chandrullo Unde Kundelu from Nuvvostante Nenoddantana. Shankar Mahadevan sings a fantastic intro of the heroine and the hero of this movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hgyobCHgLc

Monday, October 24, 2011

Day 8: Arguments

There have been some cool representations of arguments in music, here's a few.

Hindi:
1) Ek Chatur Naar from Padosan, old song about two guys trying to win over a girl with their musical prowess.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HwrMGpFaik

2) Baat Meri Suniye To Zara from Kuch Naa Kaho, an argument between a man and woman and their respective gendered qualities. This video has english subtitles as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEym7HAM4QE

Tamil:
Vandhen Vandhen from Panchathanthiram, two girls fighting over a guy, two different singing styles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sErsh9Kg7bk

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Day 7: Siblings

Haven't seen my sister in a while, here are a few songs about siblings.

Tamil:
Pachai Kiligal Tholodu from Indian. Nice gentle song about a sister, and the middle has one of my favorite sarangi riffs of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb8osakKQm4

Telugu:
Vachadura from Brindaavanam, song is the reunion of two brothers. Very drum heavy song, main chorus powerful and happy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ptWAn-rip8

Hindi:
Hum To Aisa Hai Bhaiyya from Laaga Chunari Mein Daag. Cheery song between two sisters. (Bears a stylistic similarity to Samjho Ho Hi Gaya from Lage Raho Munnabhai.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJBy-maTj50

Friday, October 21, 2011

Day 6: Feeling Angry

I have too much work. I'm angry.

Punjabi:
Panga by Diljit: the number of remixes made to this song last year is ridiculous. If you haven't heard this yet, the beat is naaasty and makes for a great song to blast in the car to intimidate pedestrians.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xN3IOrbDZQ

Hindi:
Sheher from Gulaal: this song talks about rains and showers of blood. Has a very creepy feel to it, and the music video is particularly gritty and not for the faint of heart, so I posted a videoless version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOCdcv8EybA

Telugu:
Kallalo Kaalagni from Rakhee: I didn't post the video because it's just the actor running around setting several villains on fire (hence the -agni in the title). SPB is fantastic at singing these intense telugu songs. http://www.raaga.com/play/?id=45343

Tamil:
1) Ovvoru Pillaiyum from Vattaram. Good moving pace and melody reflects mood.
http://www.raaga.com/play/?id=39501

2) Kadavul Paadhi from Aalavandhan. This movie character is out of his mind, and Kamal Hassan portrays/sings this well. The Shankar Mahadevan interlude and the flute instrumentals are the best parts though.
http://www.raaga.com/play/?id=4906

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Day 5: Qawwali

Hindi:
1) Aaya Tere Dar Par from Veer Zaara, great song and as typical qawwali as it gets. This guy has an epic voice at the very beginning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JobqiujbpVk

2) Chilman Uthegi Nahin from Kisna, has a slow 2min build up, but once it gets going, I think this song would be great for a Kathak piece.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH7QQAduxh8

3) Tumse Milke Dil Ka from Main Hoon Na. Much more modern than the previous two.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXb_XPXA2zw


Tamil:
Varaga Nathikarai from Sangamam, another Rahman classic, and it's my favorite tamil song of all time. Qawwali style is in the way the group responds to Shankar Mahadevan's lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3PObFxpoBI

Day 4: Some Bollywood

Picked two Hindi songs that would be great for a bollywood/filmi dance, but haven't been used that frequently in the past by teams.

1) Chham Se from Dus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPaad4AZzS0

2) Kacchi Kaliyan from Laaga Chunari Mein Daag:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZHrfs46_UE

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Day 3: Intriguing melody

I picked a few songs for today that I think have an interesting melody, either because of the use of sharps/flats or interplay between major and minor keys.

Telugu:
Kadhile Paadham from Baanam, switches from major to minor key mid-verse. Shankar Mahadevan has sung this beautifully, especially at the very end.
http://www.mediafire.com/?mlywt44nqmm

Tamil:
Kurukku Siruthavale from Mudhalvan. Apparently is raag vaasanthi, but occasionally switches a note sharp here and there which is cool. I used to totally ignore this song because the others in this movie are great. Was remade in Hindi for the movie Nayak.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkbsoS03CwE

Hindi:
Yoon Shabnami from Saawariya, melody variance is really cool. Fantastic song and very pretty video, it's unfortunate the movie was just bad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpYHhdKa9QY

Monday, October 17, 2011

Day 2: Fast and Dancey

Hindi:
Sajh Dhaj Ke from Mausam, fantastic new Shahid Kapoor song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scdMD9PvWOo

Telugu:
Something Something from Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana, fast westernized song, heavy jazz influence. This movie is full of great songs if this catches your interest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLxhJQC5I0I

Tamil:
Romeo Attam Pottal from Mr. Romeo, another old AR Rahman song. Prabhu Deva is a boss dancer. Try shuffling to this song :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_Be1aOMeYc&feature=related

Punjabi:
Club Vich by Bharat Goel, a fast bhangra song, great for parties.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI4v1vCOZYA

Day 1: A broad intro

I'll try to cover a huge number of languages and genres today to start it off. I promise you all these songs are worth your time, I'm not just spamming :P

Hindi:
Jogi Aaya from Black&White, great vocals and slow melody.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef_xDiKUcCg

Tamil:
Nadiye Nadiye from Rhythm, an older AR Rahman song, compares a girl to a river, nice midtempo song, really great lyrics. This version has subtitles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wES13_Yg7dM


Telugu:
Ringa Ringa from Aarya 2, this is original song that Dhinka Chika from Ready remade in hindi. Super fast tempo, lots of drums. Also from what I've heard, very inappropriate lyrics, incited some serious riots in India.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLAY-mTjp-w


Malayalam:
Njan Kanavil from Aagathan, a nice blend of carnatic and western singing, without the lame English lyrics :|
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXe9SPrwpvc&feature=related

Kannada:
Beduvannu Varavannu from Jogi, if you're missing your mom cuz your parents weren't here this weekend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiFQohPzx3Y&feature=related

Punjabi:
Dil Le Gayee by Jasbir Jassi, classic party song. Reminds me of elementary school.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX-SNXkZ8HE

Marathi:
Deva Tujhya Dari Aalo from Uladhaal, devotional, but lots of drums, high tempo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj_Ficg3Y7I&feature=related

A bittersweet blog

Leaving the SASA dinner dance this last weekend, I've realized I need to spend a little more time helping all of you expand your South Asian music vocabulary. That way when I leave here next spring, you guys will know more than enough music to throw together a great south asian playlist for a party, for work, for a car ride, for a breakup, etc. etc.

I'll post at least 2 songs a day, and I'll try to cover as many languages and genres of sasian music as possible.

-Sri